Both 显得 (xiǎnde) and 看起来 (kànqǐlái) have meanings in English like "to appear to be" or "seems like", but their connotations are pretty different.

显得 emphasizes objectivity

显得 is used for objective descriptions and comparisons. Therefore, if you want to say something that is not very good, you can use 显得 to emphasize your objectiveness. It can be a "tactical" way to talk.

Structure

Examples

Zhè me zuò huì xiǎn dé nǐ hěn xiǎo qi.
这么 做 会 显得 你 很 小气。
Doing it like this makes you seem stingy.

看起来 emphasize subjectivity

看起来 is the opposite in that it emphasizes subjectivity, paying close attention to how the observer feels.

Structure

Examples

nǐ jīn tiān kàn qǐ lái hěn ɡāo xìnɡ 。
你 今天 看起来 很 高兴。
You seem very happy today.