Traditional patterns have become a prominent decorative feature within China’s “National Design Trends,” drawing considerable consumer interest. As a distinctive design movement, these trends embody the fusion of traditional cultural elements with contemporary consumer demands. Design trends are continually evolving, and those resonating with current public preferences tend to gain widespread acceptance and appreciation. Against this backdrop, it is both theoretically and practically important to identify the traditional patterns present in the National Design Trends and to examine their manifestation and influence on user experience. This qualitative research utilises semi-structured interviews with Generation Z, the principal demographic engaging with China’s national design trends, to investigate their experiences and perceptions regarding traditional patterns. The study reveals that, within the scope of China’s “National Design Trends,” traditional patterns can be classified into six thematic categories encompassing a total of 36 distinct patterns. By analysing consumers’ encounters with traditional pattern design, it becomes possible to understand how these patterns are reinterpreted and applied within contemporary design contexts, and how such elements function across three categories of product experience for users. From the perspectives of business and marketing, the results emphasise that integrating traditional patterns into product design can augment consumer interaction, reinforce cultural branding, and affect purchasing behaviour. These findings offer a reference framework for categorising patterns pertinent to national design trends, thereby assisting designers in adopting a more focused and inventive approach when selecting and employing traditional patterns. This insight is particularly valuable during the initial design phase and provides a foundation for further practical exploration of traditional cultural elements.