Final answer:
The first question to ask when designing a brochure is about the primary audience, as this determines the overall approach to the design, content, and messaging of the brochure to ensure it is effective and engaging for its intended recipients.
Step-by-step explanation:
When designing a brochure for a client, the first question to ask to guide your design should be: Who is the primary audience for this brochure? Understanding the target audience is crucial as it influences the brochure's design, language, and content. Knowing the audience helps to tailor the design to their preferences, cultural sensitivities, and expectations. The layout, color scheme, images, and type of information included should all resonate with the intended audience. Additionally, it is important to consider the purpose of the brochure and how that will shape the messaging and design choices.
To get a clear picture of the design requirements, follow-up questions might include questions about the problem being addressed, the context within which the brochure will be used, and any secondary audiences that should be considered. Also, reflect on the strengths of similar materials to understand what works well in connecting with the intended audience.