Some product designs have been around so long that we often take their convenience for granted. We all know that everyday items like keys or forks are designed with specific characteristics so that they can actually be practical in our day-to-day lives. But have you ever wondered how these same objects would look if they were intentionally created to make your life miserable?
If you're curious about such absurd design choices, look no further than the subreddit r/AwesomelyUseless. There, you'll find the finest collection of the most bizarre "upgrades" made by designers. While these creations may overall look great, they serve absolutely no practical purpose and might infuriate you instead. Reflecting on these useless items might lead us to consider how people with special needs might feel when faced with everyday objects that are difficult or even impossible to use.
So, next time you reach for a regular old fork or key, take a moment to appreciate the thought that some professional has put into designing it to make your life somewhat better.
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I’m Sure You’ve All Seen This Before, But I’m Posting It Anyway
"I bought some dehydrated water, but didn't know what to add" (Steven Wright)
Just Incase You Didn't Have Enough Trouble Finding Normal Golfballs
This Is Some Platform 9¾ Level Cycle Path
You Need A Trolley And An Owl To Get Off Of This Escalator
Make Your Baby Do The Cleaning
I've Been Wondering How I Should Rewind Dvd's All This Time
Post Not In Use
I Actually Really Want One Of These
Not Only Is This Useless, It Looks Like Even More Work
Oooh but I love the feel and sound of a typewriter so although useless I still want lol
This Has To Be A Joke Right?
What's The Point?
It's a 2-way mirror and the inside coating peeled off where they've put the sign.
Well Crap, There Goes My Dinner Plan!
This Picture Really Brings Light To One Of The Most Useless Gadgets Ever
The Sole Reason For These $425 Gold Pills Is To Make Your Excrement Glittery
I Thought I’d Seen It All... But Nope, USB Pet Rock
There’s One Key Flaw In This Design
This Sun Visor That Blocks Nothing
Stylish Diving Is The New Trend
I'm Sure It Has A Great View, But Good Luck Getting There!
I Bet They Made Some Serious Dough Selling These
Because Your Guinea Pigs Can't Go Around Looking Cute And Adorable!
No More Losing Remotes Down The Side Of The Couch
Perfect For On The Go Viewing When You're Out Of Data!
I Hope These Never Catch On
Take The Goldfish For A Walk
It’s A Dog Eat Dog World
Does This Offend Eastern Cultures Less?
I think that's actually really clever. Want to use chopsticks? Fine, use the ends. Need a spoon? Use the other end.
Kinda needed to exist, just to justify the words, "spork chops."
as a Japanese man, I really dont care if you ask for spoons or forks instead of chopsticks, the only thing here that kinds of offend me is that they think this is offensive, I think it's great!
I actually bought something like this as a joke for my half Japanese husband who is inept at using chopsticks - we both had a good laugh.
😂 the price they are selling these is ridiculous. https://amzn.to/3Yc4ZQN for the plastic version
These are cool though. They also improve those awkward situations when the sides call not for chopsticks but not quite spoons. (Also Asian American)
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Looks pretty handy. I would use them! I have numb hands and neuropathy from a spinal cord injury so I do not do well with chopsticks at all! I used to be really good. Not any more this would also safe places from having to being out or wash silverware! And its eco friendly! I like them!
I got a set of these once in a Chinese restaurant, and I have kept them. Very good chopsticks and handy to have a little fork and spoon.
You don't actually have to eat with the fork and spoon ends. These can be used to catapult wasabi peas, or to lightly stab your partner when they thoughtlessly ask a tactless question.
I never learned how to use chopsticks properly and now I have arthritis and limited range of motion. For me, this would be handy.
As a less physically able person, I can see these actually being very useful.
In China (can't speak for other countries) the less physically able will use western style cutlery for ease or other items designed to help disabled people eat. The Chinese use knives and forks much earlier than the West, and even earlier than the Chinese use chopsticks.
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Picnic Pants
This Looks Like Something Only Lady Gaga Would Wear
Peel The Potato And Your Skin, 2 For 1!
I had one of these. There was a cover you put over the blade you weren't using that double as a handle. Very practical. I lost it in a move and still keep an eye out to see if I can find one.
Because Cracking An Egg Is So Difficult
No wonder the oceans are full of plastic waste... Who produces this bullshitt? And is there anyone of sane mind buying things like these?
Is This A Bowl Or A Spoon?
Good Luck Doing Any Sums That Involve 1's
What Could Be Cooler Than A Watermelon Coo... Oh Never Mind
This Door Doesn’t Even Lock
I Would Pay Good Money To Watch Someone Try And Water Their Garden With This
Lip-Stick This Thing In The Bin
You’d Wine A Lot About It If Someone Bought You This
yeah, we need to redesign glasses, because apparently people have been doing it wrong for millenias.
"Every Inch Matters"
You Can't Even Eat The Cone After
Note: this post originally had 55 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
Cute... and... we all know that more than half of these are items that were created **specifically** for the purpose of looking like it could be useful, but upon closer inspection is ridiculous, right?? They're NOT actual you-can-buy-off-shelf items . I remember some of these circulating in a book back in the 90s... Japanese term is "Chindogu" - look it up.
A lot of these were from an artist who deliberately designed the most frustrating products possible
Going by the comments, I don't think a lot of people realize that many of these are either fake, or were novelty joke products. Glad they're fooling a whole new generation
Hence my confusion. Just when I'm thinking 'That's odd but could actually be useful,' someone says it was only an art piece or a joke! (And I'm too old to be 'the new generation', over 60.)
Load More Replies... I think Katerina Kamprani's comedic design work has been misrepresented in this post. Check out TheUncomfortable.com
A lot of these photos are really, really old. The "new" comments don't really make them better.
crop, copy paste, crop copy paste. Many of these are from the dawn of the internet.
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Not going to lie, I think I've seen most of these on Wish or Temu. Bizarre.
So they weren't mostly designed as a joke/ art piece/ gag gift, etc? I think we should be told. I loved this article, I was fascinated but also confused!
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These all give me 5 Miniute crafts vibes and I hate that I love the stupidity of the stuff
Why read it if you don't like it? I love it, just dragging myself away now.
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Oh gods. Most of there are fake, never made, just for clicks. Many are also from gag gift boxes. You put the real gift in the gag box.
So was the picture on here just the picture from the gag box? Even if a joke or an art piece, I thought the picture was real. Am I being naive?
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Cute... and... we all know that more than half of these are items that were created **specifically** for the purpose of looking like it could be useful, but upon closer inspection is ridiculous, right?? They're NOT actual you-can-buy-off-shelf items . I remember some of these circulating in a book back in the 90s... Japanese term is "Chindogu" - look it up.
A lot of these were from an artist who deliberately designed the most frustrating products possible
Going by the comments, I don't think a lot of people realize that many of these are either fake, or were novelty joke products. Glad they're fooling a whole new generation
Hence my confusion. Just when I'm thinking 'That's odd but could actually be useful,' someone says it was only an art piece or a joke! (And I'm too old to be 'the new generation', over 60.)
Load More Replies... I think Katerina Kamprani's comedic design work has been misrepresented in this post. Check out TheUncomfortable.com
A lot of these photos are really, really old. The "new" comments don't really make them better.
crop, copy paste, crop copy paste. Many of these are from the dawn of the internet.
Load More Replies... Not going to lie, I think I've seen most of these on Wish or Temu. Bizarre.
So they weren't mostly designed as a joke/ art piece/ gag gift, etc? I think we should be told. I loved this article, I was fascinated but also confused!
Load More Replies... These all give me 5 Miniute crafts vibes and I hate that I love the stupidity of the stuff
Why read it if you don't like it? I love it, just dragging myself away now.
Load More Replies... Oh gods. Most of there are fake, never made, just for clicks. Many are also from gag gift boxes. You put the real gift in the gag box.
So was the picture on here just the picture from the gag box? Even if a joke or an art piece, I thought the picture was real. Am I being naive?
Load More Replies... 