WebsiteDesignOutsource.com blog
A Localization Brief for Outsourced Website Design
Prepare an outsourced website designer for translated content, language rules, layout changes, and review ownership.
Translated content can change the shape and meaning of a page. A localization brief gives the designer enough context to plan for those changes without guessing at language or audience needs.
Define the language audience
Record the language, region, audience task, and approved terminology. Note whether the page is a translation, a local adaptation, or a separate experience. Those choices affect navigation and content structure.
Supply complete source content
Include headings, labels, error messages, metadata, button text, and alternative text. Mark text that may expand and provide the owner for translation questions.
Plan layout variation
Check wrapping, line length, navigation space, dates, numbers, direction, and form behavior. Ask the designer to test realistic translated strings rather than shortened samples.
Keep approval clear
Name who approves language and who approves visual behavior. Store the final terminology and page decision where the next update can find it.
Further reading
Prepare a mobile-first design brief
Create a website content inventory
Source
W3C Internationalization, language and direction
Frequently asked questions
Can a designer translate the page?
Only when that responsibility is agreed and the designer has an approved terminology source. Visual fluency does not remove the need for language review.
What should happen when translated copy does not fit?
Keep the meaning and ask the language owner to resolve the wording. Do not hide the problem by shrinking text without review.