One of the most important things for brands to do in 2025 is to have a compelling Gen Z user experience.
Those who were born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s are not only mobile-first; they are also digital natives who have never lived in a world without the internet. They have extremely distinct ideas about how they should use technology, content, and brands.
Businesses that are unaware of what these expectations are putting themselves at risk of becoming irrelevant.
To be at the top of the competition, you need to go beyond traditional UX and adopt a new set of design rules that fit the needs of Gen Z user experience.
Let’s take a look at several UX design hacks for your Gen Z users.
Also Read: Is It Time for Rebrand? 5 Signs Your Business Needs a Change
Who Is Generation Z?
Generation Z is a category of individuals who came after the Millennials.
Gen Z are true digital natives because they grew up with smartphones in their hands, and are fluent in the visual language of social media and instant messaging. They are hyper-aware, value-driven, and have a very short attention span because they have spent years scrolling through an endless supply of content.
As they get older, their buying power and influence grow even more. It’s not just about getting Gen Z to use your product; it’s also about making sure your business is ready for the future.
Core Principles for a Winning Gen Z User Experience
To appeal to Gen Z, you need to create digital experiences that fit with their values and how they act. This is more than just looks; it’s about the core of your UX strategy and how this generation builds trust and gets information.
Their standards are pretty high. Gen Z expects interactions to be real and open, and they expect them to work smoothly on mobile devices.
We’ll go over the key concepts that make up a great Gen Z user experience in this section. These include the need for personalization and visual storytelling.
1. Authenticity and Transparency Above All
Gen Z has a very good sense of when marketing is fake. They want brands that are real, flawed, and honest.
In UX, this means being open and honest with users, not using dark patterns or manipulative design, and being clear about what you want.
They prefer brands that show behind-the-scenes content and content made by users because it feels more real than polished, corporate messaging.
2. Seamless, Fast, and Mobile-First Interaction
A smartphone is the main way for Gen Z to connect to the digital world.
A mobile-first design approach isn’t just a good idea; it’s a must. This means that experiences need to be made better for vertical scrolling, one-handed use, and very quick load times.
If there is any inconvenience, like a page that takes a long time to load, a checkout process that is hard to understand, or a menu that is hard to navigate, a Gen Z will probably leave right away.
3. Personalization and Co-Creation
Gen Z doesn’t want to simply purchase things, they want to help develop their brand experience.
They want content and suggestions that are tailored to their specific tastes.
Gen Z feels seen and valued when they can customize their UX, whether it’s through a personalized avatar, a curated playlist, or a unique user profile. They see technology as a way to express themselves.
4. Snackable Content and Visual Storytelling
Gen Z likes “snackable” content, which is short, visually interesting, and easy to understand. This is because of platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
All of this means putting video content first in UX design, using strong visual hierarchies to guide the eye, breaking up long blocks of text, and using infographics and images to tell a story quickly.
Brands That Master the Gen Z User Experience
It’s useful to know the theory, but seeing these ideas in action is what really makes them come to life.
Many of the most successful brands today have built their empires by instinctively understanding and putting into practice the ideas we’ve discussed previously.
Let’s examine two great examples, TikTok and Duolingo, to see how they use authenticity, gamification, and personalization to create a great experience for Gen Z users.
1. TikTok
Source: Medium
TikTok’s success is a great example of how to design for Gen Z.
The “For You” page is a powerful personalization algorithm that gives users a never-ending stream of relevant, snackable video content.
TikTok promotes authenticity by letting anyone make content and putting user-generated content above polished, professional videos.
The interface is fully mobile-native and made for scrolling up and down and quick, easy interaction.
2. Duolingo
Source: UX UI Design
Duolingo turned the boring process of learning a language into a fun, game-like experience.
It uses gamification, like streaks, points, and leaderboards, to get people to do things and make them feel like they are doing well. The social features, like being able to compare your progress with the achievements of your friends, play on the need to connect with others.
The lessons are short and easy to understand, which is great for Gen Z’s short attention spans. They turn a big job into a series of small, manageable wins.
Also Read: Color, Characters & Clicks: Engaging Children Through Design
Designing for the Future, Today
Authenticity, speed, personalization, and visual storytelling are the building blocks of a good Gen Z user experience.
This generation doesn’t just use digital products; they live through them. They want technology to be easy to use, without wasting their time, and show their values.
For brands, this means that making a UX that Gen Z really enjoys is no longer just a design choice; it’s a key business strategy.
If your business is ready to build a user experience that truly connects with the next generation of customers, Antikode is here to help.