As a millennial and the founder of a brand and website design studio that's all about empowering female-focused lifestyle brands. I’ve watched Gen Z emerge as a market force and it has been wild.

So, let's chat about how to create brands that resonate with Gen Z without losing our millennial charm:

Keep It Real Remember when we thought Instagram filters were the height of authenticity? Gen Z sees right through that. Brands like Glossier and Girlfriend Collective are killing it by being transparent about everything from their ingredients to their production processes.
Diversity Isn't Just a Buzzword While we pushed for more representation, Gen Z expects it as the norm. Look at Fenty Beauty - they didn't just expand the shade range, they revolutionized the entire beauty industry's approach to inclusivity.
Stand for Something We millennials love our cause marketing, but for Gen Z, it's non-negotiable. Think Patagonia - they're not just selling jackets, they're fighting climate change.
Make It Interactive Gen Z doesn't just want to buy your product; they want to be part of your brand's story. Casper, the mattress company, nailed this with their Casper Sleep Channel on YouTube and Spotify, offering soothing sounds and meditations.
User-Generated Content is King While we made influencers a thing, Gen Z trusts their peers more. Brands like Aerie have built entire campaigns around unretouched photos from real customers.
Be a Platform Chameleon Remember when Facebook was everything? Gen Z hops between platforms like it's an Olympic sport. Ensure your brand looks great whether it's on TikTok or in a Discord server.
Think Micro, Not Macro We might have fan-girled over big celebrities, but Gen Z is all about niche micro-influencers. Glossier's rep program is a perfect example of leveraging this trend.
Mobile is Life We saw the smartphone revolution; Gen Z was born into it. Every website I design is mobile-first, no exceptions.
Meme It Up While we popularized internet humor, Gen Z has turned it into an art form. Brands like Duolingo are crushing it on TikTok with their meme-worthy content.
Personalization is Key Gen Z expects brands to cater to their individuality. Function of Beauty's customizable hair care is a great example of this in action.
Offer More Than Just Products Like us, Gen Z loves brands that add value beyond their products. Think about how Headspace has positioned itself as a wellness companion, not just a meditation app.
Be Quick and Accessible In a world of instant everything, brands need to be on their toes. Look at how quickly fashion brands like Fashion Nova respond to trends and customer service issues.

As a millennial designer, I've learned that while Gen Z shares some of our values, they've turned the volume up to 11. My approach? Stay true to a brand's core, but amp up the authenticity, interactivity, and social consciousness.

If you're a fellow millennial looking to give your brand a Gen Z glow-up, let's chat. Together, we can bridge that generational gap and create something that resonates with the TikTok crowd without losing your millennial essence. After all, some things (like our love for avocado toast) are timeless, right?