Design Sprint vs. Traditional Branding — Which One is Right for You?
If you’ve reached a point where your brand no longer feels aligned with your business, one of the first questions you’ll face is: what’s the best way to rebuild it?
Should you invest in a full-scale branding process that takes several months, or opt for a more focused, fast-paced approach like a Design Sprint?
The truth is — both have their place. But depending on your growth stage, goals, and how you like to work, one might be significantly better for you than the other.
Let’s unpack the differences so you can choose with confidence.
What is Traditional Branding?
The traditional branding model is often what comes to mind when you think of working with an agency. It’s comprehensive, thorough, and slow-moving by design. This process can span anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks and is typically broken into several stages:
Discovery + research
Brand strategy development
Logo and identity design
Application design (e.g. packaging, collateral)
Brand guidelines delivery
Depending on the agency, it might also include:
Brand naming
Messaging frameworks
Marketing strategy
Best suited for:
Larger teams with multiple stakeholders
Product-based or legacy brands with a complex offering
Businesses in need of extensive research, naming, or print/packaging development
Pros of Traditional Branding
✅ Deep exploration of your brand story and positioning
✅ High-volume deliverables and more room for exploration
✅ In-depth revision rounds and research
Cons
✖️ Time-intensive — often 2–4 months minimum
✖️ Requires more availability and feedback from you
✖️ May delay launch dates or result in creative fatigue
What is a Design Sprint?
A Design Sprint (or Brand Sprint) is a focused, fast-tracked approach to brand transformation. It’s perfect for business owners who are ready to move — not wait.
At Toggle, we designed The Sprint for modern founders who need a strategic, well-crafted brand — without the overwhelm or drawn-out timeline.
It’s a 5-day collaborative process that covers:
Day 1: Brand Strategy + Audience Alignment
Day 2: Visual Direction + Moodboarding
Day 3: Logo + Identity Design
Day 4: Application Design (socials, site assets)
Day 5: Final Files + Style Guide
By the end of the week, you have:
A strategic brand foundation
A complete brand identity (logo suite, colour palette, fonts, templates)
A clear and consistent visual presence
Files and systems ready to launch immediately
Best suited for:
Solo founders and small teams
Service providers, ecommerce startups, and creatives
Businesses who need clarity, consistency, and traction — now
Why Founders Love The Sprint Model
It’s fast, but not rushed — every step is guided by strategy
You’re involved throughout, without being overwhelmed
We eliminate decision fatigue by narrowing creative direction quickly
The structure leads to clarity, confidence, and momentum
Many of our clients have said the Sprint felt like unlocking their next level. And that’s exactly the point.
Which Is Right for You?
Ask yourself:
Do I need a fast, focused result or a deeply layered process?
Am I building a new brand from scratch or refining an existing one?
How much time and energy can I realistically give to this process?
Here’s a breakdown to help you compare:
Traditional Branding:
Timeline: 8–16 weeks
Collaboration Style: Slower pace, more rounds of feedback
Deliverables: Full brand identity system, often with packaging, strategy, and naming
Ideal for: Larger teams, legacy or product-based businesses, projects with many moving parts
Investment: Higher due to extended timeline and scope
Design Sprint:
Timeline: 5 days
Collaboration Style: Fast-paced, collaborative, outcome-driven
Deliverables: Full brand identity system including logos, colour palette, type suite, social templates
Ideal for: Founders ready to launch, service-based businesses, rebrands, creative entrepreneurs
Investment: Mid-tier, efficient, high-impact for growing businesses High investment | Mid-tier investment |
What Happens After the Sprint?
We don’t just hand off files and wave goodbye.
You receive:
A finalised brand guide with all assets
Editable templates (Canva or Figma)
Loom walkthroughs to empower you post-launch
7-day post-project support for questions or tweaks
And if you need website support, we offer Sprint + Site weeks as a bundled service, or The Flagship for a more comprehensive digital rollout.
Photo suggestion: Visual timeline of the Sprint week, mockups of before/after brand identity, client testimonial quote overlay
Ready to Build a Brand That Moves as Fast as You Do?
The Sprint isn’t just about speed. It’s about clarity, creativity, and giving you the confidence to show up fully as the brand you’re becoming.
If you’re:
Launching something new
Repositioning your business
Ready to finally invest in a visual identity that matches your momentum
Let’s go.