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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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#9

"Wear A Seatbelt" Ad

"Wear A Seatbelt" Ad

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Jamie Solt
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This hits hard.. I lost my 19 yr old Niece in December 2020 , because of this. :'(

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

Seatbelt saved me - whatever kind of ad it will take to make people figure out how important they are is the best one to me

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

ALWAYS been a rule of mine. As a teenager when I got my first car, I always told everyone to put seatbelts on! I wasn't leaving until you did and if you just really really didn't want to wear one you had to get out of my car! No joke. Takes a second and don't even notice you're wearing it most of the time. BONUS..... It will save your life of God forbid we were ever in a wreck. Still a rule to this day but with my kids instead 😊😊♥️

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

Of course, it's a flat chest. Seatbelts hurt those of us with chests, and women are more likely to be killed by their seatbelts than men. Redesign seatbelts for women, please!

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

Have worn them for over 60 years. When my folks bought a 1961 VW bug they had seatbelts installed and I insisted on adding them in the back seat of the 1959 Mercedes we inherited in 1985. (it already had front ones) I wasn't allowed to ride in the front seat as a kid before there were seat belts. Anyone remember those dangerous baby seats that just hung over the bench front seats?

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Smilodon, a Bad Cat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the '60s I often rode around lying on the rear package shelf, playing in the rear of a station wagon/estate car/shooting brake, or loose in the bed of pick-up trucks with my friends and dog. I'm still alive, but can't recommend this to anyone now, as these actions are illegal in almost every state in the USA.

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

They're "born in/ died in" years like on tombstones, but the seat belt is covering up the "died in side". Seat eats save lives

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

Cant believe still whining about having to wear seatbelts ffs.

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

I started wearing my seatbelt when my dad got a 65 Chevy Impala. Without a seatbelt, I'd slide on the seats so I belted starting then and it just became a habit.

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

There used to be a myth that wearing a seat belt was dangerous because it could trap you in a crashed car.

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

I mean it might happen, but I don't know much about that. We have seatbelt cutters and glass smashers, along with a light, in our car. It's all one thing (I probably described it really bad, it looks kinda like this: https://www.jjkeller.com/shop/Product/Window-Punch-with-Crank-Flashlight?PromoCode=118786&cm_mmc=Google-_-ProductFeed-_-014939-_-57692&gclid=CjwKCAiA9NGfBhBvEiwAq5vSy4VqqDeAxfd4PnT-GaOzWdreNZiRO2VBrVEqvd_x_tydjnC-izFZMRoCNdoQAvD_BwE : but it also has a light on it)

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

Brings this to mind - some think this was one of the greatest ads of all time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-8PBx7isoM

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

Seatbelts saved my mother and me when we went over an embankment in a whiteout on the Taconic Parkway (NY) New Year's Day 2008.

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

so.... so I'm gonna die in a year ending in 2 then? sweet! got at least 9 more years baby!!

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

So, if you leave the seatbelt flat on the back of the seat (i.e., don't wear it), you never see the "end" date, but if you wear it, you reveal your "unalive" date?

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

Opposite. I think this shows someone wearing a shirt with this imprint. If they wear their seatbelts correctly the death date is covered by the seatbelt.

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

You'll never see the stats on the number of people injured or killed every year by seatbelts and airbags. They won't release the stats because it would expose the lie that they save lives. They can, but it's not a fact as they portray it.

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google slave
Community Member
1 year ago

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So dumb. We've gotten to the point in this world where you can't even make your own f*cking decisions on whether you want to wear one or not.

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Just me, myself, and I
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope you've signed up as an organ donor if you aren't wearing your seatbelt. You can help save and improve so many lives after your accident!

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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

Arkitek_Yorkshire Report

#23

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

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

Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

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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

MichaelCG8 Report

#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
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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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#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
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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.