(Source: https://pltfrm.com.cn)
Introduction
Chinese consumers in 2025 have an extremely mature aesthetic sense shaped by Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and dew-drop design trends. Overseas brands that keep using Western minimalist or vintage styles often appear dated within seconds. These are the five visual adaptation principles we apply for every client.
1. High-Saturation “Guochao” Color Palette
1.1 Palace Red + Emerald Green + Royal Gold Replace muted Scandinavian tones with bold, high-saturation traditional Chinese colors that signal premium quality.
1.2 Gradient & Holographic Effects Add subtle duotone gradients and light-leak effects that match current Xiaohongshu filter trends.
2. Typography Revolution
2.1 Bold Chinese Fonts Over Thin Latin Ones Use thick-stroke fonts like “YouShe Bold” or “Alibaba PuHuiTi Heavy instead of thin sans-serif for headlines.
2.2 Handwritten Brush-Stroke Elements Incorporate digital brush calligraphy for key slogans to instantly convey cultural confidence.
3. Composition & Framing
3.1 Centered Symmetry Rule Chinese audiences prefer perfectly centered, symmetrical compositions over rule-of-thirds feels unbalanced to them.
3.2 Product Hero Shot with Human Scale Always show the product being held or used by real hands to give instant size reference and relatability.
4. Motion Design & Transitions
4.1 0.3-Second Ultra-Fast Cuts Average shot duration on Douyin is now under 0.8 seconds; keep cuts snappy and add sparkles or particle effects on transitions.
4.2 Traditional Pattern Overlays Use subtle animated patterns (cloud, peony, waves) as transition masks to blend modern and traditional aesthetics.
Case Study: Italian Luxury Jewelry Brand Buccellati
Buccellati’s 2025 Chinese New Year campaign originally featured black-and-white photography. We transformed it into a 15-second Xiaohongshu video using palace-red silk backgrounds, gold holographic peonies blooming around the jewelry, and bold brush-stroke copy “May wealth entwine your fingers.” The post received 42 million impressions and became the most-saved jewelry note of Q1 2025.
Conclusion
Visual taste in China evolves every six months. Brands that continuously refresh their creative according to local aesthetic trends will always appear premium and relevant.
PLTFRM is an international brand consulting agency that works with companies such as Red, TikTok, Tmall, Baidu, and other well-known Chinese internet e-commerce platforms. We have been working with Chile Cherries for many years, reaching Chinese consumers in depth through different platforms and realizing that Chile Cherries’ exports in China account for 97% of the total exports in Asia. Contact us, and we will help you find the best China e-commerce platform for you. Search PLTFRM for a free consultation!
