Is the design layout done before or after the terms of reference?

Question

Design

In fact, to prepare the layout, the designer only needs a brief, which lists the general requirements, what sections should be, and so on.
In my view, the sequence is as follows: 1) first, the client fills out the brief 2) then the design layout is prepared 3) after that, the specification is drawn up with a description of the functionality 4) layout and programming
I see that doing the specification before the layout is not correct, since this deprives the designer of freedom. Since it is difficult for a client to imagine a future site looking at a set of structured text. So it turns out that the TK was signed, and having received a "visual representation", that is, a layout, misunderstandings begin. And you have to make a bunch of changes to the already agreed TOR.
Interested in the experience of other managers in this area, how does your process look like?
Thank you.

Answer 1

I'll tell you from the designer's point of view.
Whenever you do it - before the layout or after, you still have to make changes. It’s better to start with a three- or four-party discussion - the customer, the manager, the designer and, possibly, the programmer (in case the manager doesn’t fumble in the software part) , so the designer must be included in the work from the start of the project, then he beginners will be able to sketch and make constructive suggestions. Thus, by the time of registration of the TOR, you can come with whole wolves, well-fed sheep and design sketches. But you still have to redo something, this is a normal workflow.

Answer 2

Is the design layout done before or after the terms of reference?

The question is obviously wrong, however, as are the arguments, for example, the following:
What freedom are you talking about here? Most designers without any understanding of layout begin to draw design layouts, and even adaptive ones. The result is natural.
one). The designer must be well versed in layout, otherwise he must draw the design together with the layout designer.
2). Naturally, before the start of any process, there must be a clear action plan and terms of reference. In the layout of sites, in addition to the picture, there are also strict technical requirements, such as: fast loading speed, cross-browser compatibility, optimal code solutions. A designer cannot draw whatever he wants, there are always certain limits.
There are almost always different discussions and improvements there. You apparently have the wrong idea about TK, how it is built and what happens.