50 Examples Of Innovative And Awesome Design Collected By The “Design Therapy” Instagram Account
The debate on whether a design is good or bad is a never-ending one. From terrible public space "solutions" to ideas so bad, it’s hard to believe someone came up with them, we've covered plenty of the latter over the years. So how about we balance out the scales a little bit?
There’s nothing more satisfying than stumbling upon designs that are so visually pleasing, it's almost healing. Here’s where the Instagram account called Design Therapy comes in. It is dedicated entirely to exploring innovation in design, from architecture and interior to furniture and product.
Some of these ideas can be observed in real life, others exist only as a sketch on paper. However, they prove that being a designer can sometimes feel a lot like being a therapist. Bored Panda combed through this treasure trove of inspiration, handpicked some of the best examples, and put them all in one place for you to enjoy. So continue scrolling and share your thoughts with us in the comments!
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Jiang Taigong Tea Bag Holders
Nello & Patrasche Sculpture Designed By Batist Vermeulen
Milk Packaging By Depot_wpf
If there’s one thing we know for certain, no one was born a designer. That's why sometimes people need a bit of help to become better in this field. We're talking about the little reminders and daily inspirations like the ones you see in this list to keep those creative ideas flowing. With 236K followers and counting, the Design Therapy online project collects pictures from all over Instagram to show off the charming side of design. From aesthetic buildings and clever packaging to mesmerizing furniture and unique sculptures, it has something for every taste.
Design Therapy is a new startup based in Istambul, Turkey. The founders of this project aim to explore "the innovative designs across the cosmos in the fields of product, interior, architecture, and technology." Many things make the world go round, but new creations drive it forward, and that’s why so many people keep on looking for solutions to both simple and complicated issues to improve our quality of life.
Sculptures Designed By Lee Sangsoo Artsangsoo
The Bouquetpot Designed By Niangui Cai⠀
Bernie Sanders Crochetlove By Tobeytimecrochet
But this begs the question, what does innovation in design really mean? Phil McKinney, author of Beyond the Obvious, a book on innovation and creativity, explained that it "is the utilization of a designer’s methods and sensibility to address the needs of the consumer. … Basically, the goal is to solve more complex problems with the methodology of a designer."
The tricky part is that many people miss what design actually is. "The biggest misconception is that design is simply what a product or service looks like. In actuality, design is how (and why) the product or service functions. It is the process of taking an idea and making it tangible and useful," McKinney wrote.
Hand-Tufted Rug Designed By Vanessa Barragao Vanessabarragao_work
Villa Saraceni Scala Dei Turchi Designed By Creamatelier And Charlottetaylr
Spectrums Of Light Thread Installations By Gabrieldawe
This is an art museum in DC! I saw that installation a few years ago. It's 10x more beautiful in real life!
You see, one of the fundamental steps of thinking of and creating new ideas in design is engagement with consumers. According to McKinney, "prototypes are created, and then tested, and then refined. It is essential to do this because it minimizes the risk of product or service failure." We, the end-users, experience a product only after it's produced and often don't realize how much effort designers put into making it. But even when they believe they have it all figured out, the outcome could still be rather unfortunate. We humans are susceptible to biases that affect our ability to solve problems accurately, so we are prone to error whether we like it or not.
Macramé Work By Agnes Hansella Macrame_id
Inspired By The Traditional Style Of Ming Dynasty, They Are Made Of Porcelain
"On Water" Designed By Ayse Erkmen
Bored Panda earlier had a chat with Jonathan Shariat, a designer and co-author of Tragic Design: The Impact of Bad Product Design and How to Fix It, about how certain solutions can affect peoples’ lives. "Design is the decisions made about how someone will use and experience the things we make, sometimes we fail to think through the implications of those decisions and it ends up causing harm to others," he said.
Making something that has a purpose and is delightful to interact with takes a lot of learning and experience. Shariat argued that creating good design isn’t that easy. It "requires us to think about and understand others. That doesn't come naturally for most of us but always makes things better."
Mini Architectural Sculpture By Matthew Simmonds
Disco Ball Design By Rotganzen
Artwork By Amandaharwal0412
Eye Pod Designed By Rainbowkimono
are we just ignoring that majestic magical alien cat???
That's so beautiful, but the shape doesn't look like it's fit in the house, like it be just an eyesore.
"We rely on design every day for critical things, and sometimes they fail us and people get hurt, or it causes major financial damage," he added. These slip-ups often happen because creators have a hard time seeing things from other people's perspectives. "Different people can experience the same thing much differently. It's the job of a designer to understand their users and find what works best for all of them."
Street Bin Concept By Moonjoo Jo From Dongseo Unversity!
Stained Glass Windows Designed By Harris Armstrong
Balloon Dog Anatomy Designed By Gummifetus
When it comes to design, we usually want it to make us feel safe and at ease. Looking at these aesthetic pictures alone makes us feel calm, but imagine how therapeutic it would be to see them as real-life examples. It turns out that there are instances where the design of a space can actually impact our behavior. Kijeong Jeon, a professor of interior architecture at California State University, Chico, is one of the pioneers of using the built environment as therapy.
He creates multi-sensory settings to help people with autism by using design as therapy. It all began when he was asked to help pick out a carpet for a program for people with autism and other mental disabilities. The professor requested some time to learn about autism to know more about the people he was choosing the carpet for.
Origami By Kumi Yamashita
From Trash To Shirts By Kastlfel
Periodic Table With Real Elements
"During the study of autism, I noticed that some of the symptoms are related to tactility, lighting, sound, smell. I realized that all of them deal with the environment. So I thought if those are environmental issues, I can do something for them — I can design certain interior spaces to make them feel at ease. Certain types of colors, certain types of lighting," he told Healthy Building Science.
Hopefully, accounts like Design Therapy will only help to spread the word about linking buildings with design and emotional well-being even further. And if you have any examples to share, don't be shy and post them with #DesignTherapy to get featured!
The Round Gardens Designed By Carl Theodor Sorensen
I love them, there is something so organic about curves. It does illustrate how wasteful circles are for space though.
Trojan Horse Designed By Babis_cloud
The Hug Ring By Richard & Bec
Cabinet Design By Caleb Woodard Furniture
stupid question... how do you open it? the ridges don't look deep enough to grasp.
“Ironing Chips” Artwork By Tanaka_tatsuya
Bus Design By Surrealhk
Hmmmm... I hope there's a door there, otherwise I feel someone will be dumb enough to ride it while the bus is moving
Fold Down Ironing Board Closet/ Mirror By Nils Wodzak!
Separator Panel Designed By Kobbi_cimerman.arq
“Broken Things” Ceramic Artworks By Livia Marin
Wooven Stool By Knots_studio
Reading Light By Richard_malachowski_designer
Ewiger Lauf Is A Lighting Installation Created By Rolf Sachs
Incredible Needle Paints By Chromato_mania
Good Lord I need sleep I legit thought that was farm land from the air that the farmer designed a wall around to look like a needle point.... so well done!
Teapot Designed By Surglinok
Stacked Containers By Cargotecture
Dog House Concept By Bobby_ricci
The Nazar Rug Designed By Atelierfevrier
Setae 3D Printed Flatware By Francis Bitonti
Candle Holders Design
Artwork By Kanghee Kim Tinycactus
Handcrafted Kitchen Items Design By Hopeinthewoods
Pegasus Grand Piano By Schimmel
Street Art Installation Designed By Nos_architecture
The Retro Classic Collection From Aziocorp Combines Genuine Materials And Innovative Technology In A Vintage-Inspired Form To Inspire Your Everyday Tasks
Sherazade Patchwork By Pierolissoni
Architectural Installation At Balticgateshead Designed By Daniel Buren
Flexi-Bike By Hoon Yoon
Porcelain Sculptures Designed By Johnson_tsang_artist
Dad Thingsihavedrawn Brings His Son’s Drawings To ‘Life’
3D Print House Designed By Mense Korte Architekten Mense_korte_architekten
The Peninsula Paul_milinski
Veggies & Nuts Embroidery By Konekono_kitsune
Blown Glass Bags Designed By annedonzevincentchagnon
I have a really nice little clay vase on my shelf that looks like a crumpled paper bag. Bought it at an art gallery. :D
Loneliest House In The World In Iceland . Photos By H0rdur
I remember a while back on Facebook, someone had posted this picture along with the question "What one thing would you take with you to live on this house?" And my answer was Battersea Dogs Home.
Newton Cream Jug & Sugar Bowl Designed By Tonfisk
Wooden Sculpture Designed By Tung Ming-Chin
6 Servings Of Italian Spaghetti Designed By Neal Fletcher
Chest Of Drawers With Butler’s Desk By Kevin0611
Vw Beetle Designed By Driftedcreations
Marathon Marketing By Contrapunto_bbdo For Reflex Spray
why- why are there less finishers? (oh wait sorry i thought some of them died or something)
Moon Glass Designed By Tale Design
Charging Cable By Kim Jinseok, Park Jungjun, And Na Yongmin
Volkswagen Beetle Car Design By Danni.k.k
Electric Superbike By Roman Dolzhenlko
Birth Design By Tomlefrench
Yes, But Series Designed By Anton Gudim, Gudim_public
The Luft Travel Chess-Set By Omri Hillel
Flower Vase Artworks By Yuni Yoshida
Designed By Sophia Michopoulou, Moiré Ascent Is A Staircase Inspired From The Harmonic Streams And Ethereal Movements For Ethical Office Functionality
Toast Design By@estyle1010
It's cute... but is it brown sugar and cheese? because I don't think I'd ever be preggo or stoned enough to eat that. (side note: I don't partake in MJ and I'm not having any more kids)
House Designed By Javier Senosiain Javiersenosiaina
Exquisite Get Aways, Visualized By Paul_milinski
Strawtini Martini Glasses By Udarely
By Johnson_tsang_artist
Facinating Desk By Giacomo Moor
Pantone Artwork By Tom.lowe ⠀⠀
Anthenea Is A UFO-Shaped Water Suite Designed By Anthenea
Scissor Design By Johanakoudel
Design By Chengyong Li, Lei Yang, Sian Lin & Peishan He
The Discreet Bottle Hanger By Melon Design
S.a.d Sun Allergy Diaries By Is_siigii Where She Had To Adapt And ‘Become The Float’ As She Was Unable To Relax And Lay On A Float Due To Her Allergy!
This adaptation led her to feel extraordinary where before she felt inferior! Does anyone else seriously want to try on one of these? I know we do!
Faig Ahmed Inspired Persian Hand Knotted Rug Designed By @jahanrugs
“Burger Combo Meal's Moving Day” Artwork Designed By Simonduhamel
Bike Parking System Designed By Rafaa Architecture & Design
Custom Stacked Book Side Table By Andy Janed
Bed 2.0, Designed By Riab @roominabox
Cookie Cup Was Designed By Designer Enrique Luis Sardi For Lavazzaofficial
Manhattan Apartment Designed By Reutovdesign
Gigs 2 Go: Tear & Share Flash Drive Packby Bolt Group
The Floating Piers Installation By Christo And Jeanne - Claude - Lake Iseo, Italy
Design By: Chris Ference - Hammer Bank
The Hammer Bank is an experiment utilizing the philosophy of Familiarism; the idea of connecting familiar product interactions with new experiences. When you see a hammer, it is instantly understood how it is to be held and used. The material along with the X shaped slot indicates this object is meant to be saved for just the right time.
Chairs Designed By Earthtolane
La Favorite’ Hair Designed By Alexis Ferrer Alexisferrer01
In Between Forms
Playhouse Is Designed By Aboday Architects Abodaydesign Photographed By Happy Lim
Artwork By Shira Barzilay Koketit
Mugs Designed By Lollylollyceramics
Head To Interiorandinteriors To See More Interior Products Like Spring Pots By Andreea_cornila
Spring Scissors Designed By Lex Pott
Clock Designed By Yukiko Morita Pampshade
Curved Steel Art Installation Designed By Sarah-Jane Hoffmann
Cutlery Set Designed By Frankbrunetti
By Witenry
The Tiled House By Charlottetaylr
Rainbow Staircase Runner By Trish Andersen
Combo Photo Mashups By Stephen Mcmennamy
Jewellery Design By Angostura
'wearable Art' Dress By Viktorandrolf
Books, Plates And Glasses Are Engulfed By The Squishy Shelves Of Dutch Designer Dewi Van De Klomp's Soft Cabinets, Which Are Made From Foam Rubber In A Bid To Bring More Attention To The "Overlooked" Material
Van de Klomp's Soft Cabinets were born from research into various materials that can be found around the house and would otherwise go unnoticed.
The Utrecht-based designer came across a piece of bright pink foam rubber – a material typically used for cushioning in car seats and wall insulation – and "fell in love" with its potential.
“Software” Porcelain Designed By Johnson_tsang_artist
Honestly, when you begin with a functional item, and your design makes it less functional, it's not good design. Some of these are actually art rather than design. "Design" implies use.
So many ppl criticizing the designs for its utility flaws... It says on the post description its about the idea, the look, not about real products for everyday... Please, take it easy folks
Ah BP commenters. Can always be relied upon to find a negative in any ray of light. Don't you go changing!
Honestly, when you begin with a functional item, and your design makes it less functional, it's not good design. Some of these are actually art rather than design. "Design" implies use.
So many ppl criticizing the designs for its utility flaws... It says on the post description its about the idea, the look, not about real products for everyday... Please, take it easy folks
Ah BP commenters. Can always be relied upon to find a negative in any ray of light. Don't you go changing!