No cap, this is how you design for Gen Z

First of all, if you’re new to Gen Z slang, “no cap” is our way of saying “no lie” or “for real.” In other words, this is the honest, unfiltered truth about what actually works. 💅

What if your product could read the room, understand the vibe, and make every user feel like it was built just for them? That’s the biggest challenge of designing for Gen Z. This is a generation that’s never known life without the internet and phones. For Gen Z, digital isn’t just a tool - it’s a playground, a canvas, and a community all at once.

Gen Z expects apps to be alive, evolving, always in tune with their moods, causes, and their tribes. They want to see themselves reflected in every aspect, to find ‘their’ people in every corner, and to know that their digital choices have a real-world impact. As designers, it’s our job to build experiences that are equally dynamic and meaningful.

Here are some tips on how you can design for a generation that’s constantly rewriting the rules of digital engagement.

1. Design for raw, authentic sharing

Gen Z is moving away from the era of perfectly curated feeds and airbrushed selfies. What they crave now is realness - moments that are unfiltered, spontaneous, and honest. We need to make it easy and rewarding for users to share their true selves.

Think about the BeReal app,

The entire platform experience of BeReal centers around creating authentic experiences. Users receive a photo-sharing notification once per day at a random time without access to filters or the ability to stage their images. The result? Users can find genuine everyday photos that deliver realness instead of staged performative content.

BeReal snapshots

By designing for raw and authentic sharing, you’re not just following a trend- you’re helping users feel seen and accepted within the community. This builds trust, deepens engagement, and creates a community where real stories matter more than perfect images.

This move toward realness is not just a trend. It’s people looking for more ways to connect, trust, and relate online. As a designer, you can strengthen this by making your interface more polished and easier to use. Prioritize simplicity and transparency. Go for uncluttered designs, simple navigation, and show real content made by users instead of using stock photos or heavily edited images. Adding simple things, such as confessional buttons, easy-to-use video modes, or showing people’s engagement, can help users feel safe to share what they really think. In the end, designing for authenticity is about making spaces where realness is valued, stories are true, and people believe their voices, and that’s why Gen Z will use and support your platform.

2. Supporting healthy tech habits

Gen Z is a lot more aware of the impact technology has on their mental health, and they expect the apps they use to support, but not sabotage their wellbeing. As designers, we can make healthy tech habits feel natural and even enjoyable. Instead of overwhelming users with harsh warnings, you can blend great digital wellbeing features into the app experience and give users gentle control over their habits.

Take Instagram’s “Take a Break” feature as a real-world example. This tool lets users set reminders to pause after a certain amount of scrolling, suggesting alternative activities and encouraging mindful engagement.- It’s not about forcing users to leave, but about nudging them to reflect on their habits and take breaks when needed.

Take a break snapshot

Gen Z doesn’t only care about managing how much they use their devices — they want apps that help with things like mood tracking, mindfulness, fitness, and healthy routines. For instance, apps such as Headspace and Calm provide more than just simple alerts, while OGs like Apple Health supply guided meditation, mood tracking, and stress relief tools that work well for busy people. Gamification can also be an effective way: streaks, badges, or daily wellness challenges turn healthy habits into something enjoyable and not just a task.

Headspace and Apple Health Emotion Logger

Additionally, personalization is key. Give users the ability to customize their wellness journey by picking which habits to log, setting personal break reminders, or connecting with wearables. When you mix these useful features into the app’s main design, Gen Z can take control of their wellbeing in a way that feels easy and enjoyable. This approach helps create trust and loyalty and shows your app is with them every day in their self-care journey.

3. Keep the app fresh and live in the moment.

Imagine opening a weather app and instantly noticing that the interface reflects the real world outside - rainy animations on a gloomy day, bright colours when it’s sunny outside, or even subtle changes for sunrise and sunset. Xiaomi’s Weather app does exactly this. Its dynamic UI shifts based on live weather conditions, making every visit feel relevant and alive. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about forging an emotional connection. Users feel the app is an experience, which keeps them engaged and coming back.

Xiaomi's weather app

Snapchat goes one step further with this concept. Users are constantly presented with fresh filters, lenses, and entertaining overlays that vary according to the time of day, holidays, and popular subjects. Because of the interface’s clarity and constant evolution, users are encouraged to visit often simply to see what’s new. This strategy attracts interest and creates a sense of urgency since you risk missing out on something entertaining or unique if you don’t launch the app right now.

As designers, adding these dynamic, real-time features turns your app from something static into something lively and exciting. Daily themes, special challenges, or changing backgrounds make users feel there’s always something new to discover. This keeps them coming back and helps your app stand out - especially for Gen Z, who love novelty and real-time updates.

4. Let users find their tribe

Gen Z isn’t interested in being just another face in the crowd - they want to connect with people who share their passions, quirks, and inside jokes. That’s why the most engaging apps today don’t just offer generic communities, they empower users to find (or build) their own unique tribes.

Take Discord, for example.

A platform designed for gamers has grown into a diverse collection of small online communities. Discord offers servers that match every interest, from K-Pop to vintage sneakers to obscure coding languages, so you can find a perfect fit for your interests. Each Discord server maintains its own exclusive features, including custom emojis, roles, and private channels, and custom rules that create a personalized digital community experience.

Discord snapshot

Here’s how you can help users find their tribe,

• Use smart recommendations: trending tags, and onboarding questions to connect users with communities they’ll love from day one.
• Let users personalize their group feeds: notifications, and even the look of their community spaces.

Imagine an application where users can “collect” communities like digital trading cards, unlocking new badges or chat rooms as they engage more deeply with each tribe. This gamified approach not only rewards participation but also encourages users to explore new interests.

5. Encourage Sustainable Choices

Gen Z users are more eco-conscious than previous generations, and they want the digital products they use to reflect those values and their thought process. As a designer, you have a unique opportunity to encourage sustainable choices right in the flow of everyday app usage. One effective approach is to integrate features that track and display a user’s digital “carbon footprint” or positive environmental impact. For example, Ecosia’s tree-planting tracker lets users see exactly how many trees they’ve helped plant just by searching the web, turning a simple action into a meaningful contribution.

Designing for Gen Z isn’t about chasing trends - it’s about understanding a generation that values authenticity, connection, and purpose above all else. When we build apps that feel alive, foster real communities, encourage honest sharing, and support both personal wellbeing and the planet, we’re not just creating digital products - we’re shaping the future of how young people experience technology.

So, what’s next? The real deal is, designing for Gen Z means you’re always chasing something new, because it’s never finished and always changing. The biggest flex is when apps can grow and change alongside their users, not just keep up.

No cap :)