When to use a design sprint
our process.
From problem to tested prototype in 2 weeks
Our sprint is structured into two design sprint phases, each with clear design sprint steps to help you quickly move from challenge to solution.
WEEK 1: UNDRESTAND & IDEATE
✔ break down your existing user flow & map key journeys;
✔ brainstorm, validate, and lock in the best ideas.
WEEK 2: PROTOTYPE & TEST
✔ build a high-fidelity interactive prototype;
✔ test with real users & gather insights;
✔ define clear next steps, whether it’s refining, launching, or iterating.
Before building the platform, Sitenna needed a clear, cohesive brand. In a quick brand sprint, we shaped their voice, messaging, and visuals, making sure everything felt right before moving forward.
After the redesign, Sitenna secured $5.1M in funding and was nominated for the UX Design Awards.
VP Engineering at BeBop Technology
Cieden’s detailed, clearly articulated design facilitated seamless, efficient, and engaged product development. The team actively participates in the creative process and welcomes feedback. Their extensive breadth and depth of talent allow them to provide customer service that exceeds expectations.
They have a great sense of UX. They understand not only the business requirements of a product but also its creative vision. They will give the extra effort every step of the way to ensure we have everything we need.
Information technology, London, United Kingdom
Working with Cieden was an enjoyable experience from start to finish. In addition to providing excellent documentation, Cieden’s attention to detail helped us to think about many of the deeper features in ways that will directly translate into better UX for our clients. Their approach to product development really allowed us to get all of our best ideas into a consolidated, flexible product.
IT Solutions, Boston, USA
They went above and beyond on everything, offering multiple designs when I wasn’t sure what I wanted, responding quickly to all feedback, and even improving mobile screens after I had approved a final design, simply because they thought they could do better. The pride they take in their work makes for a truly exceptional experience. Not only will I hire them for all future projects without a second thought, but I have already recommended them to at least 5 other CEOs I know.
Food Delivery, Dubai, UAE
Cieden overhauled the UI/UX of a delivery app, with the goal of generating more revenue. The new design has contributed to a significant increase in conversions. The team is creative, helpful, and highly motivated, qualities that have led to an expanded role. We’re impressed with their positive attitude, clear communication, and genuine interest in our project.
We’ve seen visible improvement in our conversion rates week on week. The results have been excellent, which is why we continue working with them on major projects.
Healthcare, Virginia, USA
In addition to being accommodating and fun to work with, Cieden acts as a true partner by providing invaluable feedback to help improve end products.
They work with you to craft a solution with the users' best interest in mind, and to improve upon what you originally requested. The constant conversation and challenge to improve the way we work, and how we approach the UI/UX has helped us to gain a higher level of quality in our products.
Food Delivery, Philippines
Cieden went above and beyond just delivering the final piece (Figma designs), as they really took it upon themselves to understand our users' challenges, the actual use cases for the features we wanted.
They managed to break down our complex business processes into VERY clear, and actionable solutions that can easily be understood by all stakeholders in the operations team.
It seems like you can throw them any complex design issue across any industry and they will find a way to get it.
Healthcare, San Francisco, California
They are extremely knowledgeable about design - everyone is talented and understands the area of UX. A dedicated partner, Cieden proactively researched competitors' products to develop industry-relevant designs that would allow us to stand out. They went above and beyond to ensure the project's success.
What is a design sprint?
A design sprint is a structured 5-day process used to solve big design challenges, test ideas, and validate solutions before development. It combines brainstorming, prototyping, and user testing to help teams make informed decisions, fast.
How does a design sprint solve design challenges?
A design sprint gives your team a focused, step-by-step approach to tackling complex design problems. Instead of guessing what works, you go through a rapid cycle of:
✔ understanding the problem (user research & mapping);
✔ brainstorming solutions (sketching & idea generation);
✔ prototyping the best ideas (without writing a single line of code);
✔ testing with real users (getting direct feedback before committing to development).
This eliminates uncertainty and helps you move forward with confidence.
Why might a team consider conducting a design sprint?
A design sprint is ideal when:
✔ you need to test an idea fast before investing in full development;
✔ your team is stuck and needs structured collaboration;
✔ you’re launching a new feature or product and want to validate it;
✔ you need to improve a broken UX flow (like onboarding or checkout);
✔ you want real user feedback before making big product decisions.
If you’re making high-impact design choices, a sprint saves time and money by getting it right early.
How do design sprint retrospectives help a team address areas for improvement?
A design sprint retrospective happens after the sprint and helps teams review what worked and what didn’t during the process, identify roadblocks that slowed things down, improve collaboration for future sprints, and refine the final prototype based on learnings.
Why is it important to call in industry experts when planning a design sprint?
Industry experts bring deep knowledge of users, market trends, and technical feasibility. They help:
✔ spot blind spots that your team might miss;
✔ provide domain expertise to ensure the sprint is relevant;
✔ improve decision-making with real-world experience;
✔ guide user research so insights are meaningful.
Including experts makes sure your sprint is grounded in real user needs rather than internal assumptions.
