ADVERTISEMENT

Designing a product, ad, or building is far more difficult of a challenge than you might think. Sure, you could argue that human beings are instinctively artistic and love aesthetics, but the sad truth is that there are far (far!) too many design fails out there. I’m not going to lie, sometimes they keep me awake at night. Thinking about them is both hilarious and terrifying at the same time. And the most powerful pics tend to haunt you for weeks and sometimes months at a time. Good design, why are you so rare?

One of the best places to find some outstanding examples of double-plus-ungood designs is this subreddit right here which shames and pokes fun at them for our amusement. Have a look through some of the best (worst?) design disasters that they featured recently. Remember to upvote the ones that you loved to hate the most and I’d absolutely love to hear which of these were your (least) favorite!

Pssst, Pandas, we know how much you love looking at epic design fails and aesthetic apocalypses, so we cordially invite you to check out Bored Panda’s earlier posts about them after you’re done enjoying and criticizing this list. You’ll find the articles here, here, and here.

#1

Gas Station In Nebraska. The Station's Color Scheme Was Red. They Tried To Get Artsy

Gas Station In Nebraska. The Station's Color Scheme Was Red. They Tried To Get Artsy

aspiecat7 Report

#2

The New School In My Community Has A Wheel Chair Access Button For The Door, But No Way For A Person In A Wheel Chair To Reach It

The New School In My Community Has A Wheel Chair Access Button For The Door, But No Way For A Person In A Wheel Chair To Reach It

crimxie Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Inaccessible design is so common and it wouldn't take much thought to change it

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Lex? Derp? Lox? Nope, It's Supposed To Say Jax For Jacksonville, Florida For $18 Million Dollars

Lex? Derp? Lox? Nope, It's Supposed To Say Jax For Jacksonville, Florida For $18 Million Dollars

baltinerdist Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
dawn_marie_1 avatar
DM
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean it’s a stunning work of art, but they missed the mark on this font. Plus feed people before spending all that.

stevensedwards avatar
Hannah Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, what a ripoff. I could have done them the whole word for $17 million.

ii_3 avatar
I I
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WTF???????/ 18 mill for that crap , why are people hungry and homeless ? well we all need dumb ass unreadable signs dont we

dons avatar
Calypso poet
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a waste. I'm going to stop complaining about the goofy white Cleveland Script signs all over the city. They only cost taxpayers $40k each and you can tell what they say. 🙄

Load More Replies...
zoe_9 avatar
Zoe Gillenwater
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lerp would have been my first guess. They could change the name of the city to Lerponville.

kathrynbaylis_1 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F*****g waste of $18 million that could’ve paid for a load of social safety net services.

dons avatar
Calypso poet
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good news, it hasn't been built and people are petitioning to not let it happen! Sane people in Floriduh? https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/artist-behind-jax-statue-one-park-jax-says-artwork-symbolizes-st-johns-river/QTYKQJ44HBHYBEBDTRSECGROLI/

Load More Replies...
corinemcmillan avatar
Artoonist Corine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would like to know what group approved this design before it was built? Did ANYONE see it? lerp? lex? Terrible terrible terrible

dtipkman avatar
Ty Ingram
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Load More Replies...
kona4me avatar
Kona Pake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Money could’ve been better spent vaccinating the kids and buying masks… but nooooo!

b_nut137 avatar
Pheebs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was this designed by someone who has never written in cursive, and approved by someone who can’t read cursive?

awdudeno avatar
Jane Doe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Running gag on The Good Place about Jacksonville makes so much more sense now.

patriciaross avatar
tuzdayschild
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You probably have to be at just the right angle to see it. But for what I'm sure they paid for this, it should be Jax from everywhere.

troux avatar
Troux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This artist is absolutely trolling. There is no rational explanation for that horizontal line between the so-called 'a' and so-called 'x'. He wrote derp.

grubbster55 avatar
Andrew Gibb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

looks like the Microsoft Word Paperclip coming to ruin your day

yingzhen912 avatar
Skai Lv
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you see art doesn't make sense and no way should cost this much. Then you see government paid for it, it is rational to assume there is corruption.

inservioletum avatar
Nothanks L. Walk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More importantly : how did the alien worm monster learn our alphabet?

lisachambers2018 avatar
Lisa Chambers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol I live about 2 miles from here and I cannot stop laughing at this. Someone even made some socks that said this.

msmischak avatar
Mike Mischak
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sure the taxpayers are happy with what 18 million dollars of their taxes went for.

jimprice avatar
Jim Price
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

leno... it says leno. Why would they put up that big a sign welcoming Jay Leno, and forget to capitalize the "L"?

333mavis avatar
Mavis Garland
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sure does not look like this says JAX! What a WASTE of MONEY spent on this.

ensigini avatar
En Sigini
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The letters might have melted away a bit from their correct position. Hot Florida weather, you know. Or, just simply artistic freedom…

chantelcummings avatar
Chantel Cummings
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just the concept. It hasn't been chosen or paid for yet. Most of us in Jax hate this idea.

elhart53 avatar
Edie Hart
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I'd be rather ticked if I paid $18 million for a sign that nobody could read. It sure doesn't look like JAX to me!

robyn-denton-31 avatar
Robyn Denton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give me $18 million dollars, and I'll give you something legible...

jtmarie64 avatar
Jill Tremblay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F-ing Idiotic. Meanwhile $18 Million dollars would have helped a lot of people and animals

c_pevs avatar
Christine Peverley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought it was SEX. Probably says more about me than any sign but I am being honest I really did!

deconstructedravenna815 avatar
Callie Dryer
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A very reliable source (Florida Man) told me it’s derp…. He may or may not have been drinking Natty Light.

greenfires avatar
Andy Little
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Village near us in the UK has something similar. It's meant to look like abstract art from most angles - but if you're in the right area, I've no doubt that this will look exactly like Jax.

kathryndodge avatar
Kathryn Dodge
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd say that's a winner compared to the "Golden B******e" in our city of Sterling Heights, Michigan!! https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2019/02/01/sterling-heights-erects-300k-golden-b******e-spreads-criticism-and-satire

lesburleson avatar
Leslie Burleson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why in the unholy f*ck did that cost 18 million dollars ??!!! I wonder who the money went to ?

mullen_tekim avatar
Alditekim
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That amount of money could've been used to open lots of schools which later can produce smarter people. Smarter than people involved in this project.

sawdust99 avatar
Sawdust
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like this doesn't exist yet and was just recently (July 2021) approved. (I thought we were viewing a real sculpture from a bad angle, perhaps...but this is the angle rendered to show it off to its best?!) https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/07/22/design-plan-featuring-massive-jax-sculpture-picked-for-former-jacksonville-landing-site/

smilinghonesty avatar
Natalia A
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry but how does that possibly cost $18m? How many homeless people could they have housed with that amount of money? How many hungry children and families could they have supported? Public libraries, public leisure centres, so much good could have been done with that money.

jokevandam avatar
Joke Dam
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It´s all about the reflection in the water! There you can see 'jax' popping up.

alexdureich avatar
Michigan Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's a J. (squints real fu**king hard) ...i...No. That's not a go**dam J. It's just not.

3loretta979 avatar
Loretta
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's... That's an "e". You can discuss the "x" but that's definitely, 100% an "e" before that. (And I am also convinced that "J" looks more like an "l".)

rgroper avatar
Robin Roper
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The city of Jacsonville, FL was taken. That is ugly and unreadable.

saralopez avatar
Isa Trip
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they demolished a whole bunch of small businesses to make this crap and apparently it cost like 2M

danielshadowdrakken avatar
Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Geebus... it's a good thing the Kismet (super-yacht) will be out there blocking that atrocity 3 months out of the year.

alicewiedrick avatar
Chloe *Leah* Pheonix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see jax but I swear the first time I saw it I almost yelled derp... its 6:30 in the morning

comerfordsamantha46 avatar
Samantha PandaNotBored
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, it’s also ugly too . Had he done it with natural material it would of looked , well , better

cugeltheclever avatar
cugel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still, if it had clearly been Jax, no one would be talking about it.

waynerdevine avatar
Captain Awesome
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll build a giant c**k and balls out of garbage bags and see if I can sell it to trump

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

The subreddit that makes fun of bad designs is a goliath on Reddit with a whopping 2.6 million members. The online group has been active since January 2011 and has become a true pillar of design discussion online, ranging from the silly and fun to the in-depth and serious.

Over the last two years alone, the subreddit grew by nearly a million members from 1.7 million adoring fans. Back then, they were getting 2 million page views per month. That’s proof enough of their popularity.

#4

Great Image To Help Your Kid Not Freak Out While Getting A Haircut

Great Image To Help Your Kid Not Freak Out While Getting A Haircut

g_nome7 Report

#5

Women's Jeans, I Want The Rest Of My Pocket

Women's Jeans, I Want The Rest Of My Pocket

evening_shop Report

Add photo comments
POST
asatvoong_1 avatar
Adam C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jeans by Boeing: We give you the whole pocket but you have to pay extra to unlock it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Striped Carpet On Hotel Stairs. Hard To Use Even After Two Weeks And Completly Sober

Striped Carpet On Hotel Stairs. Hard To Use Even After Two Weeks And Completly Sober

OilCareful8232 Report

I previously spoke to a member of the subreddit’s moderator team to learn a bit more about their community. One of the mods told me previously that the “original motivation” of the subreddit was to “point out” horrible designs.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Nowadays, most subscribers probably come here for entertainment. However, it is common to have meaningful discussion here on why or why not something is [bad] design,” the mod told Bored Panda.

#7

The Placement Of This Baby's Head Wasn't Quite Thought Through

The Placement Of This Baby's Head Wasn't Quite Thought Through

ninimalini Report

ADVERTISEMENT

We might intuitively understand what good design is, however, it’s a real challenge to get the design just right. It’s not just about beauty or function, however (though these are vital, too!). The idea of good design goes deeper still.

For instance, researcher Don Norman believes that the essence of design is… communication. “Design is really an act of communication, which means having a deep understanding of the person with whom the designer is communicating,” he writes in ‘The Design of Everyday Things.’

#10

Pet Clippers That Let You Pull Naked Dogs Out Of Furry Behinds

Pet Clippers That Let You Pull Naked Dogs Out Of Furry Behinds

ssorrenidrag Report

#11

This Bench. Where I Live It Is Very Hot And It Is Impossible To Sit In This Park

This Bench. Where I Live It Is Very Hot And It Is Impossible To Sit In This Park

RocketSmash9000 Report

Add photo comments
POST
popapach avatar
troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But you can use it to fry eggs and grill some steak. Perfect for a picnic in the park.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#12

Why Is Clear A Green Button While Enter Is Yellow? I Kept Accidentally Clearing My Pin

Why Is Clear A Green Button While Enter Is Yellow? I Kept Accidentally Clearing My Pin

veeveemarie Report

According to Norman, design doesn’t have to be complicated. He argues that usability is just as important as aesthetics. Or, in other words, the product has to be functional and useful, not just a pretty thing to look at.

Norman explains that product design cannot ignore the needs of users. In the book, he argues that good, usable design is entirely possible, not just a dream conjured up by idealists.

“The rules are simple: make things visible, exploit natural relationships that couple function and control, and make intelligent use of constraints. The goal: guide the user effortlessly to the right action on the right control at the right time,” he writes that some products are able to satisfy customers’ needs while others only end up frustrating them.

#13

This Sign At The Akron Zoo That Looks Like A Man Peeing In His Own Face

This Sign At The Akron Zoo That Looks Like A Man Peeing In His Own Face

-Error-UserNotFound Report

#14

Rénovations Done To A 500 Years Old Tower

Rénovations Done To A 500 Years Old Tower

scepticeye Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seen this one before. This is the only design the council approved after years of fighting and rejecting many much more sympathetic ideas. It's an episode of George Clarke's Restoration Man

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

They Just Don't Go Together

They Just Don't Go Together

terbiun Report

Add photo comments
POST
drn_misc avatar
Dr Nostromo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The concept of jigsaw puzzles apparently eluded the designer of this one.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Easy Way To Piss Off A Mailman

Easy Way To Piss Off A Mailman

popstarter Report

Add photo comments
POST
sigridjohanesdottir avatar
Sigrid Johanesdóttir
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"yes, this is the mail man, I'm dropping all your packages in the gas station good luck"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#17

A Speed Bump On An Downhill Slope With No Drainage?

A Speed Bump On An Downhill Slope With No Drainage?

M_Alex Report

#18

This Is Not Vitamin D; It's An Emoji On A Bottle Of Magnesium

This Is Not Vitamin D; It's An Emoji On A Bottle Of Magnesium

archfapper Report

#21

The Sign Says "Teaching Kids Good Manners", But It Looks Like You're Just Yeeting The Baby Into Trash

The Sign Says "Teaching Kids Good Manners", But It Looks Like You're Just Yeeting The Baby Into Trash

alphaMrWave Report

#22

Got This As A Gift And Honestly I Don't Want To Throw It Away Just Because It's Terribly Funny

Got This As A Gift And Honestly I Don't Want To Throw It Away Just Because It's Terribly Funny

AmberedVal Report

Add photo comments
POST
dawn_marie_1 avatar
DM
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, I will make the a$$ of myself. What am I missing? I don’t get it?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Thought It Was A Different Language At First

Thought It Was A Different Language At First

TitanicsAnInsideJob Report

#25

The Marbling In These Floor Tiles Makes It Look Like Someone Pooped All Over The Floor

The Marbling In These Floor Tiles Makes It Look Like Someone Pooped All Over The Floor

thisshortenough Report

#26

Sure, Place An Ad With A Guy Drinking Water Next To Rubbing Alcohol Of The Same Brand

Sure, Place An Ad With A Guy Drinking Water Next To Rubbing Alcohol Of The Same Brand

labanapoy Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

They Sell Suitcase Covers.. But The Photoshop Is Just Awful

They Sell Suitcase Covers.. But The Photoshop Is Just Awful

suscript25 Report

#28

Maybe I Shouldn't Park Here

Maybe I Shouldn't Park Here

1pcbetterthanxbox Report

Add photo comments
POST
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can bet that if that was in my country you would definitely see parked cars

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Is This Andre The Giant’s Treadmill?

Is This Andre The Giant’s Treadmill?

phillypharm Report

#31

Practical Bathroom

Practical Bathroom

schen4181 Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the sink is downstairs? the bath in some sort of weird glass upstairs nook and the toilet in the cubby beneath? Wow

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

How On Earth Can The Overpass Be Flooded?!

How On Earth Can The Overpass Be Flooded?!

jndlcrz888 Report

#33

Restaurant Bathroom: One Mirror Panel On Top, One On The Bottom...no Way To See Myself In Between

Restaurant Bathroom: One Mirror Panel On Top, One On The Bottom...no Way To See Myself In Between

freckledfrida Report

#34

This Amazon Photo Where The Kids Don't Even Look At The Toys

This Amazon Photo Where The Kids Don't Even Look At The Toys

MeteorBladeV2 Report

#35

Welcome Shorpers

Welcome Shorpers

directtides72 Report

Add photo comments
POST
ner_diz avatar
Serial pacifist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pirate shopping center. Arrrgh, shorpers, ye come in and purcharse something, ay.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Don’t Have Hep C? Get Some!

Don’t Have Hep C? Get Some!

Dtomnom Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#37

This Frozen 2 Temporary Tattoo Is Supposed To Say "Face Your Fear", But The First Two Words Are Written In An Orange-Ish Color

This Frozen 2 Temporary Tattoo Is Supposed To Say "Face Your Fear", But The First Two Words Are Written In An Orange-Ish Color

Vencero_JG Report

#38

This Shirt That Looks Like It’s Covered In Coffee Stains

This Shirt That Looks Like It’s Covered In Coffee Stains

TheMrMeatball Report

Add photo comments
POST
ggiscarnival avatar
beastmachine.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh this is perfect excuse shirt for Monday mornings when you drop coffee hastily

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

He's Either Sucking On Her Head, Or He Is A Raccoon Cap... Not Sure Which Disturbs Anymore

He's Either Sucking On Her Head, Or He Is A Raccoon Cap... Not Sure Which Disturbs Anymore

embarrased_to_Ask_42 Report

#40

The Balcony Of My Hotel In Switzerland Is Only Accessible Through The Window

The Balcony Of My Hotel In Switzerland Is Only Accessible Through The Window

loulan Report

#41

This Tea Will Change Your Image Size Ratio!

This Tea Will Change Your Image Size Ratio!

Am-Linguist Report

#42

The Design Of This Pillowcase Makes It Look Like There Are Bugs Crawling On It

The Design Of This Pillowcase Makes It Look Like There Are Bugs Crawling On It

FreshSansSimp Report

#43

This Hose Cart Creates Water From Thin Air

This Hose Cart Creates Water From Thin Air

pzPat Report

Add photo comments
POST
dawn_marie_1 avatar
DM
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We’ve figured out our solution to severe draughts and wildfires in North America!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

The Shower In My Dorm Freshman Year (I'm Only 5'7)

The Shower In My Dorm Freshman Year (I'm Only 5'7)

xxsoulpunkedxx Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#48

A Very Easy To Read Graph About Texting While Driving? Found In My High School Yearbook

A Very Easy To Read Graph About Texting While Driving? Found In My High School Yearbook

Buddhacream Report

#49

Is This Cake Like Deadpool?

Is This Cake Like Deadpool?

ydarbj1 Report

#50

In A Friend's Wedding Goodie Bag

In A Friend's Wedding Goodie Bag

korzorro Report

Note: this post originally had 79 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.