The work aims to study the new design preferences of Generation Z based on the knowledge of Generation Z's implicit perception of packaging containers. Based on the rapid ethnographic research strategy of cultural probes, a participatory visual research on Generation Z was carried out and applied in practice. First of all, a cultural probe was used to get the latent aesthetic and values of the target interviewee, and the perceptual intention was classified in a convergent way combined with ZMET deep interview technology. The classified concept was translated into types of design application elements and the design semantics were integrated in combination with the results of the cultural probe. A quantitative analysis was conducted to obtain the design principal components behind design semantics to form the three-dimensional design preference features. The design preference of Generation Z had a fashionable and lively personality. The design of multiple liquor packaging containers using the preference characteristics was verified by the questionnaire of Adrian Ludwig Richter structure, and the results were in line with expectations. In conclusion, combined with quantitative analyses, the cultural probe can effectively perceive the diversity of users' preferences in the process of research, and obtain a more comprehensive design strategy.