The 21st century has grown with technology at its fingertips. This emerging Gen Z has a unique set of expectations when it comes to user experience. While it is easy to dismiss their preferences as fleeting or fickle, it’s equally crucial to understand that designing for Gen Z means designing for a large & influential demographic that is different from all the previous generations.
Did you know the attention span of Gen Z is a mere 8 seconds? That’s right, you have less time to grab their attention than it takes to tie a shoe. When designing products for Gen Z, it’s crucial to keep in mind that this group may be diverse, but they share some common traits that can help guide your design approach. However, there are a few key characteristics that define this generation & inform their preferences.
Gen Z represents a digital-first generation, having never experienced a world without internet or smartphones. In turn, this demographic demands nothing less than seamless and intuitive digital experiences, placing an emphasis on responsive design, rapid load times, & mobile optimization for product designers to prioritize.
Values – Understanding the Next-Gen
This segment of users prefer authenticity and transparency in their online experiences. Their socially conscious ethos shines through their deep-seated concern for issues like sustainable development, diversity & inclusion. As such, they hold brands to the same high standard, expecting them to share their values and take a stance on important issues.
With this, Gen Z places a high value on user experience and usability in digital products. According to a survey by IBM, 85% of Gen Z respondents said that they are willing to try a new app if it has a better user interface. Furthermore, 7 out of 10 Gen Z respondents reported that they would not use an app that is difficult to navigate or understand. This highlights the importance of developing user-friendly interfaces and experiences that are intuitive and easy to use.
This evolving new generation is a highly visual bunch. They are accustomed to scrolling through feeds of visually stunning content on social media, and they expect the same level of visual sophistication from the brands and products they interact with.
If you’re actively looking to target Gen Z design trends, consider incorporating these actionable design tips that take into account their unique characteristics:
- Prioritize mobile optimization: In the age of swiping left and right, it’s important to make sure your designs are mobile optimized. Don’t let slow load times and clunky navigation ruin your chance with this generation – make sure your designs are quick, responsive, and easy to use on even the smallest screens.This will enhance user experience and leave your competitors in dust.
- Think beyond aesthetics & embrace ethics: This socially conscious generation demands designs that reflect their values. Be mindful and make sure your designs are inclusive, accessible, and environmentally friendly. Plus, don’t forget to focus on their values like mental health, anxiety, and social justice. Ultimately, the target audience is the future, so design from a thoughtful & strategic approach.
- Focus on bold & eye-catching visuals: This highly visual generation expects user generated content, with bold and captivating designs. Use striking visuals, snazzy typography, and candid photography to capture their attention and keep them connected. So, don’t be afraid to get creative and colorful!
- Embrace interactivity: Incorporate a personalized touch in your designs. Gen Z craves engaging digital experiences, from social media to gaming. Add some spice to your designs with quizzes, animations and interactive polls to create immersive experiences that keep them hooked. Also, don’t forget to keep it authentic and transparent.
What to avoid?
Designing for the digitally savvy and fastidious can be a challenging undertaking. Neglecting to avoid certain commonly made design blunders may result in detrimental consequences. Thus, it is imperative to bear in mind the following “don’ts” in order to craft compelling designs that resonate with this discerning demographic.
- Patronize Gen Z: This generation is no stranger to technology and has a discerning eye for design that is intuitive and seamless. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating their tech prowess by serving up simplistic designs and stereotypical imagery. Gen Z demands a user experience that leverages their skills and treats them like the savvy adults they are. So, designers should come up with bold and mature designs that match their digital fluency and exceed their expectations for a high-quality experience.
- Overlook the importance of diversity: Without any doubt, gen Z is the most diverse & they expect products to reflect diversity. Design with inclusivity in mind, and make sure your product is accessible to users from all backgrounds and identities. Avoid stereotypes and tokenism.
- Assume they’re all the same: Gen Z is a diverse group with different values, interests, and perspectives. Don’t design a one-size-fits-all product or assume they all think alike. Get to know their diverse values, interests, and perspectives to create products that resonate with their unique individuality.
- Disregard their expectations for innovation: Gen Z is a generation that expects constant innovation and improvement. Don’t design products that are outdated or fail to embrace new technologies. Instead, push the boundaries of designs. The product design should be forward-thinking and appreciate upcoming technologies to provide a seamless user experience.
Final words
In a nutshell, designing for Gen Z requires a deep understanding of their unique characteristics and preferences. By prioritizing mobile optimization, authenticity and transparency, ethical considerations, bold visuals, and interactivity, designers can create experiences that resonate with this influential demographic.
At onething, a UI UX design company, simplicity and ease of use in products is the top priority! We incorporate personalized elements that make our interfaces stand out. Gen Z expects intuitive interfaces that are easy to use and understand, so we take a user-centric approach to our UX design process, constantly iterating and improving based on user feedback. As Gen Z continues to shape the future of design, it’s essential for designers to stay attuned to their evolving preferences and demands.
