How Empathy Shapes Photo‑Editing Features for China’s Gen‑Z Users

Introduction

Douglas Stone said that deep understanding of others comes from empathy – imagining what others feel based on external observations. Designers must empathize with users to grasp their true needs, enabling clear identification of the value to provide.

In public places such as subways or restaurants, many people are seen editing photos before sharing them. Users want to enhance travel snapshots, food photos, or selfies with filters, stickers, and text to gain social approval, fulfilling higher‑level esteem needs. Consequently, image‑processing apps have proliferated, and the Ganji app added a filter function to its “LaoXiangShuo” (Old‑Village Talk) module.

“LaoXiangShuo” is an innovative personal‑life sharing section distinct from job listings, housing, or second‑hand cars. It encourages users, especially post‑90s, to form social networks, increasing app activity and user stickiness while providing valuable user data for product redesign.

Data shows that post‑90s users primarily use their phones for social and entertainment apps, relying heavily on photo‑beautification features. To meet this habit, the new image‑enhancement function offers simple, quick editing without demanding extensive design effort, allowing users to share polished photos effortlessly.

1. Preliminary Sticker Design Research Based on Face++

Face++ provides precise facial key‑point detection (eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, contour) even with partial occlusion and various angles. This technology enables accurate local facial beautification and intelligent shaping, which informed the filter integration for “LaoXiangShuo”.

Facial features are identified using up to 83 key points (or a simplified set of 25, with 5 core points). Designers studied how to create stickers—such as glasses—that align with common facial dimensions, ensuring most users see a natural fit despite variations in pose.

2. Every Font Reflects an Emotion

Photos become more engaging when paired with simple text layouts. While premium apps like Butter Camera offer sophisticated typography, they are unsuitable for Ganji’s broader audience. Instead, a set of ready‑made watermark templates was created to let users quickly add expressive text without complex design work.

Different fonts convey distinct personalities and moods. Hand‑drawn styles can appear cute, while bold “roar” fonts feel aggressive. The team curates collections that match trending slang, inspirational quotes, or humorous remarks, updating them regularly to stay relevant to users’ emotional states.

By providing diverse font options, the product satisfies users’ desire for personalized expression across various contexts.

Conclusion

Through empathy, we uncovered the unique habits and culture of post‑90s users, turning their photo‑sharing behavior into a trending feature. Designers must understand and track these psychological traits while maintaining visual quality. By fostering a community of like‑minded users within “LaoXiangShuo”, the product meets user needs, encourages playful interaction, and becomes an essential part of their daily lives.