How to solve Product Design Cases in Product Sense Round?

You’re in a product sense interview, and the interviewer asks: “Design a feature for [Product X] to solve [Problem Y].” Your mind races. Do you jump into solutions? Ask questions? How do you balance creativity with structure?

At NextSprints, we’ve helped 500+ candidates ace design cases by teaching them to think like a product leader, not just a designer. In this guide, you’ll learn a battle-tested framework, real-world examples (Airbnb, Spotify), and the exact phrases hiring managers want to hear.

Let’s design your path to success. 🚀

Why Product Design Cases Matter (And Why Most Candidates Fail)

Design cases test your ability to:

1. Empathize with users and translate pain points into solutions.
2. Prioritize features that align with business goals.
3. Communicate clearly under pressure.

Most candidates fail because they:

• Jump into solutions without clarifying the problem.
• Ignore technical feasibility or business impact.
• Overcomplicate the UX (e.g., proposing blockchain for a calendar app).

The NextSprints Framework: A 6-Step Process

Step 1: Clarify the Problem & Scope

Ask questions to define:

• Target users: “Are we designing for power users or casual ones?”
• Business goals: “Is the focus on retention, revenue, or acquisition?”
• Constraints: “Is there a timeline or technical limitation?”

Example for Airbnb:
“Design a feature to improve guest-host communication.”
→ “Are we focusing on pre-booking queries (conversion) or post-booking logistics (retention)?”

Step 2: Research & User Empathy

Use frameworks to uncover needs:

• User Personas: Create 2–3 profiles (e.g., “Sarah, a first-time traveler worried about safety”).
• Journey Mapping: Identify pain points in the user’s current flow.

Pro Tip:

“In Airbnb’s case, guests often feel anxious about unfamiliar neighborhoods. How might we reduce that anxiety?”

Step 3: Brainstorm Solutions (Divergence)

Generate 8–10 ideas quickly. Techniques:

• Crazy 8s: Sketch 8 ideas in 8 minutes.
• SCAMPER: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse.

Airbnb Example Ideas:

1. Neighborhood safety guides.
2. Real-time chat with local hosts.
3. AR walking tours of the area.

Step 4: Prioritize with the DIVE Framework

DIVE = Desirability, Impact, Viability, Effort:

Prioritize: Safety guides (high desirability, low effort).

Step 5: Design the Solution (Convergence)

Detail your chosen idea:

• User Flow: “Guests access safety guides via the booking confirmation page.”
• Wireframes: Sketch a simple layout (use Figma terms if interviewing remotely).
• Edge Cases: “What if the host hasn’t filled out the guide? Default to city-wide tips.”

Pro Tip:

“Always tie your design to a metric: ‘This feature aims to reduce pre-booking cancellations by 15%.’”

Step 6: Validate & Iterate

Show you’re data-driven:

• A/B Test: Compare safety guide users vs. control group.
• Metrics: Track cancellation rates, time spent on guides.
• Iteration Plan: “If engagement is low, add host video testimonials.”

Real-World Example: Solving “Redesign Spotify’s Playlist Creation”

Step 1: Clarify

• “Are we targeting casual listeners or power users? Goal: Increase playlist saves.”

Step 2: Research

• Pain Points: Users find it tedious to add songs one-by-one; 60% abandon halfway.

Step 3: Brainstorm

• Bulk song upload, AI mood-based suggestions, collaborative editing.

Step 4: Prioritize

• AI Mood Suggestions: High impact (personalization) + medium effort.

Step 5: Design

• Flow: “Create Playlist” → Select mood (e.g., “Workout”) → AI generates 20 songs.
• Metric: Target 30% increase in playlist saves.

Step 6: Validate

• A/B test with 10% of users; iterate based on skip rates.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (From FAANG Designers)

1. Ignoring Business Goals:

   • ❌ “Add a social feed because it’s fun.”
   • ✅ “Add a social feed to increase session time, which aligns with Meta’s DAU goals.”

2. Overdesigning:

   • ❌ “Use AR/VR for a grocery app.”
   • ✅ “Simplify the checkout flow to 3 steps.”

3. Skipping Edge Cases:

   • ❌ “Assume all users have high-speed internet.”
   • ✅ “Add a low-bandwidth mode for emerging markets.”

FAQs: Answering Your Top Questions

Q: What if I don’t know the company’s metrics?

A: Make educated guesses. “As a growth-stage startup, they likely prioritize user acquisition.”

Q: How do I handle “bad” ideas from interviewers?

A: Acknowledge, then pivot. “That’s an interesting angle! I also considered [your better idea] because…”

Final Words

You’ve got this. 🌟

Product design cases are your chance to showcase creativity within constraints. Remember:

• Clarify first, create later.
• Balance user + business needs.
• Practice storytelling: Make your solution memorable.