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We are surrounded by items, buildings, and even software that was designed one way or another. It tends to stick out when something is so poorly considered that we have to stop and wonder “what were they thinking?” Fortunately, most of the things around us conform to our expectations. A table is a table and a street sign is a street sign. 

However, every once and a while, creative people make a novel take on a conventional object. So scroll down and enjoy this list of innovative and cool ideas people have made into reality. And if this article doesn’t scratch your awesome design itch, check out Bored Panda’s other collections here, here, and here. And if you want something a bit different, check out our list of terrible designs here.  

#2

Park Bench With Built In Shelter For The Homeless

Park Bench With Built In Shelter For The Homeless

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If this list leaves you particularly inspired, maybe to make some changes around your own home, it can be helpful to approach an area holistically. Or, to put it another way, to have a comprehensive, unified plan. Keeping to the design tenants of a specific style can really help bring a space together and make it look more cohesive. Let’s take a look at Scandinavian design as an example. 

First and foremost, think about local, natural materials. We associate Scandinavian furniture and houses with wood, no doubt harvested in some primeval pine forests. But the core idea is to use local materials to establish a sense of place and style. This extends to building techniques as well, as most traditional architecture is firstly functional. French doors do not help insulate a house while thatched roofs are probably too warm for southern climates.

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#6

The Jacket I Just Got Has Tiny Skulls As The Zipper

The Jacket I Just Got Has Tiny Skulls As The Zipper

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Scandinavian design also prioritizes functionality, which is often, subtly, emphasized by the use of neutral colors. Small wonder that the creators of Lego would approach furniture with an eye for practicality. Sometimes this does express itself as a sort of minimalism as one might see in an Ikea catalog. But there are myriad examples of more decorative or flashy items made by acclaimed Scandinavian designers that are also in keeping with the style's core tenants.

#7

Paint Sample Cubes, Instead Of Flat Swatches, So You Can See The Colors With Shadows

Paint Sample Cubes, Instead Of Flat Swatches, So You Can See The Colors With Shadows

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Design has also changed over the last century, with new styles coming and going. For example, the iconic Empire State building still stands out today as an Art Deco skyscraper among a forest of glass buildings. This style itself was a reaction to Art Nouveau which had been so popular at the turn of the century. While less ornate, Art Deco tended to use expensive materials like gold, and furniture in the style would feature exotic leathers like sharkskin.

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#12

Shark Fin "Wet Floor" Caution Sign

Shark Fin "Wet Floor" Caution Sign

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Modern design principles are less constrained by form and materials, so the guiding philosophy focuses more on the user. Sometimes this is referred to as literally user-centric design, though some will also call it human-scale design. The core idea is to make everything intuitive at a glance, even if you have never seen an object before. Maybe you are familiar with the design principles of Don Norman or at least the Norman door. Imagine a door with no handle, just a metal plate. Naturally, since you know it’s a door, it must move to let a person pass through. So with no handle, your only option left is to push.

#14

Any Love For Packaging Here? Very Thoughtful Hardware Package Design

Any Love For Packaging Here? Very Thoughtful Hardware Package Design

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Shyla Bouche
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to work in a home for the developmentally disabled. They went to "work" on weekdays, to a rehab type program that taught life skills. Some of the more intelligent clients had actual jobs, where they packed hardware for appliances and furniture. They each had a paper with life-size drawings of each item. The client would cover each picture with the matching part (like a toddler's jigsaw puzzle). Once each picture had its part, the client bagged the pieces.

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#16

Anti-Pollution Sign By A Lake In Evergreen, Colorado

Anti-Pollution Sign By A Lake In Evergreen, Colorado

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#17

Book Benches, Bulgaria

Book Benches, Bulgaria

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Laugh or not
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be the best if they had readable poems or extracts from books to tempt you to read the entire books.

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#19

Was Told This Would Be Appreciated Here. Sooo Here Ya Go!

Was Told This Would Be Appreciated Here. Sooo Here Ya Go!

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#20

"Piece By Piece Alzheimer's Takes Away The Memory". Campaign For Alzheimer Forschung Initiative

"Piece By Piece Alzheimer's Takes Away The Memory". Campaign For Alzheimer Forschung Initiative

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Ziggyc
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Watched my MIL suffer from this,it's a horrible disease,this poster really.speaks volumes

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#21

Colorful Glass Canopy In Sonoma, California. By: Olafur Eliasson And Architect Sebastian Behmann

Colorful Glass Canopy In Sonoma, California. By: Olafur Eliasson And Architect Sebastian Behmann

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#23

Newly Constructed 'Danish Prison Cells' Are Designed Better Than My Apartment

Newly Constructed 'Danish Prison Cells' Are Designed Better Than My Apartment

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Seth
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know you live in a prison state when accomodations that are beyond the means of a minimum wage laborer are considered a punishment elsewhere in the world.

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#24

Forget Abs Of Steel And Buns Of Steel. Get Abs Of Buns

Forget Abs Of Steel And Buns Of Steel. Get Abs Of Buns

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#25

This Bar Has A Chilled Strip To Keep Your Drink Cold

This Bar Has A Chilled Strip To Keep Your Drink Cold

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#26

Translation: (Their) Love Slipped A Little Bit? No, This Is Violence (Anti Domestic Violence Poster)

Translation: (Their) Love Slipped A Little Bit? No, This Is Violence (Anti Domestic Violence Poster)

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#27

Clever Little Airline Logo From A Recent Flight

Clever Little Airline Logo From A Recent Flight

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#28

My Vacuum Cleaner Filter Displays Taps When It's Wet After Cleaning, So You Know When It's Fully Dry

My Vacuum Cleaner Filter Displays Taps When It's Wet After Cleaning, So You Know When It's Fully Dry

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#29

A Bar Of Soap That Gets Sad As It Approaches Its Demise

A Bar Of Soap That Gets Sad As It Approaches Its Demise

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Lurking Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the more you use the soap, the sadder it gets? Not sure if that's particularly great design, might discourage people from using it.

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#33

Samsung’s Galaxy Flip Phone Advertisement At A Bus Stop In Belgium

Samsung’s Galaxy Flip Phone Advertisement At A Bus Stop In Belgium

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Kim Fielding
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honest question for people in countries where English isn't the primary language: Do you get annoyed at all the English in advertisements in your country? As an English-speaker, I've appreciated the ubiquity of the language when I've traveled, but I'm wondering if it's irritating for the people who live there. (Where I live in California, all the ads are in English or Spanish; I don't mind the Spanish because it helps me practice my very basic language skills.)

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#36

Jeep's European Marketing

Jeep's European Marketing

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Marco Richter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so they empower parking on a walkway? That's actually bad design.

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SabbeRubbish
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends, they wanted to stand out from a marketing perspective, they succeeded. Everyone (ok almost everyone) knows that's not how/where you park.

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tanne82 avatar
Me
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know what they mean but it reminds me of the line painted around a dead body. And looks like jeep drivers are very bad at parking.

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gerry.garh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good thing they spelled "Jeep"; if not, BMW drivers would be fighting for parking there.

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Sarah
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get what they are going for but, my first thought was that this is saying Jeep owners are jerks who think they can park wherever they feel like. Which I know isn't true (my neighbor owns a Jeep and she's a lovely person). It just kind of screams 'entitled' to me. I know that isn't what they were trying to convey but, I can see how people would look at this in very different ways.

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Crybabyartist
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe the thing they are trying to convey is EXACTLY that if you own a Jeep you are entitled.

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Ayasuma
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This ad is humorous targeted to Jeep owners who tend to be very brand loyal. It highlights the articulation of the axels that Jeeps are well known for in the off-road community. The ad is also humorous to non-Jeep owners (myself) because it pokes fun of Jeep owners showing off their superior articulation.

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David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the message is "Douchebags drive Jeeps"? lol. I get they are trying to be cute about the off road aspect but only A-holes would park like that.

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Ben
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing is more frustrating than seeing somebody in a 4 x 4 thinking they can park anyway they want. On curbs, grass, diagonal. I am American so you can imagine.

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Will J Dochartaigh
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jeepers wouldn’t hesitate to park on a pile of dirt, snow, any obstacle, but not likely to park on sidewalks or such. ⁰|||||||⁰

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Giles McArdell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These would be better with the parking fine amount printed on them too.

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Jerry's Mom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. It's actually giving you ideas of the things you can do with a jeep.

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Auntie Bear
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it bad that if I owned a Jeep I'd actually park in this designated parking space? Edit to add: This is probably why they only advertise this way in Europe, because us Americans would actually do it.

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Sanborn Parkhurst
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They once had an ad that called the Grand Canyon a speed bump. Just drive over anything and park where you like.

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Kat Min
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is this supposed to say 'I'm a selfish a*****e who can't park so I need a Jeep?'

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Josy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This just tells me Jeep drivers are idiots who don't care where they park... I don't want to be an idiot so i wouldn't buy a jeep

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Solidhog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I live that's where and how most people park anyway.

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Barong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it when people actually park like this. On the curb, on the side walk, on the landscaping, on the soil retention work… I get it your 4 x 4 vehicle can go places a road car can’t, but it doesn’t make it ok to block public or private access, damage public or private property just because you think it’s cool. No one of consequence if anybody will ever look at a truck or jeep parked this way and think “that’s cool”.

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Caroline Driver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, basically saying that with a Jeep you can park anywhere you like. I guess that works, as a lot of people who buy Jeeps and other suvs think like this anyway

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DarCee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Idea they are trying to convey is that you can park anywhere with a Jeep. Problem is that there are the a-holes out there that do this exact thing!

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Alaskatgal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Took a moment (or three) now I get it! Jeep is able to park in places most cars cannot. Meh

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Csaba Horvath
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Hungary, a**h**es park everywhere like this without a Jeep too :D

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Gypsy Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a lifetime Jeep owner, I get it, though parking like that generally isn't a city thing. I've done the curb, yes, but most other times it involves parking creatively where it isn't going to impede other people's day. Considering this is just an advert... Jeepers will get a good laugh.

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dan martyr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s a Twitter feed for that: ‘you park like a c###’ @yplac

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Tarik Dursun Zorgulen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Europe, Jeep drivers would know not to park there. Even in USA most Jeep drivers would know this, but in here there is "that" group of people unfortunately that gives a bad name to Jeepers.

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Amy Beckler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I snicker everytime I am behind one of these-and they tippy-toe over smooth railroad crossings.

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Black Dragon -RHO-
Community Member
1 year ago

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Not a good idea, people will start parking on the sidewalk…

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General Anaesthesia
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1 year ago

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#37

The Logo For A Band Called The Makepeace Brothers. I Always Thought It Was So Clever

The Logo For A Band Called The Makepeace Brothers. I Always Thought It Was So Clever

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Kristine Johnson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The letters are supposed to also be a hand giving a peace sign. Took me ages to see it.

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#39

Cd Package Design For Chinese Folk Rock Band 五条人

Cd Package Design For Chinese Folk Rock Band 五条人

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#40

IKEA Advertisement

IKEA Advertisement

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SabbeRubbish
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They can laugh with themselves, or is it the customers they are making fun of? 🤣

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#42

House Of The Dragon Street Promotion

House Of The Dragon Street Promotion

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#45

Logo For Lune Croissanterie - A Pâtisserie Specialising In Croissants

Logo For Lune Croissanterie - A Pâtisserie Specialising In Croissants

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Frank
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"croissant" stands for "lune croissante" in French, meaning waxing moon (because of the form). So the name of the shop is quite nice too. And then the moon rocket... Some visual jokes translate badly ;-) Just like English word plays (sound plays?) with K9 (canine, dog) or French ones with K7 (cassette).

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#47

Substation, Detail Of Cornice, Hans Heinrich Müller

Substation, Detail Of Cornice, Hans Heinrich Müller

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#50

KV Bjørnøya, The Newest Vessel Being Built For The Norwegian Coast Guard

KV Bjørnøya, The Newest Vessel Being Built For The Norwegian Coast Guard

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Note: this post originally had 54 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.