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According to Tim Antoniuk, an Associate Professor of Design Studies at the University of Alberta, we can all intuitively sense what good design is and isn't.

"Quite often, this relates to ergonomics and the usability or functionality of the products and services and systems," he told Bored Panda in one interview.

For Antoniuk, good design is "intuitive, [...] deeply sympathetic and empathetic to the user at all levels, and at some level, it is emotional."

So as much as we at Bored Panda like to make fun of crappy design, this time we decided to compile a different kind of list. Whether it's a space-saving Tetris cat tower or a skatepark shaped like bacon and eggs, continue scrolling and check out these prime examples of human ingenuity.

#2

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine Appears On The Dish When Sauce Is Poured On It

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine Appears On The Dish When Sauce Is Poured On It

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Back in the late 1970s, Dieter Rams, a German industrial designer, was becoming increasingly concerned by the state of the world around him. He called it "an impenetrable confusion of forms, colors, and noises."

Realizing that he was a significant contributor to that world, Rams asked himself an important question: is my design good design?

His answer is expressed in his ten principles for good design.

#3

This College Made A Water Bottle With A Map Of The Campus On It. It Also Shows Places Where You Can Fill It Up

This College Made A Water Bottle With A Map Of The Campus On It. It Also Shows Places Where You Can Fill It Up

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#4

This Benjamin Franklin Mug I Just Got With A Slot To Make The End Of Your Tea Bag The Kite

This Benjamin Franklin Mug I Just Got With A Slot To Make The End Of Your Tea Bag The Kite

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askrivan avatar
80 Van
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aside from the picture, this is an amazing idea for a tea mug. It’s so frustrating when the tag goes into the cup.

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1. Good design is innovative. Technological development is constantly offering new opportunities for innovative design; innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.

2. Good design makes a product useful. People buy products to use them. It has to satisfy certain criteria, it has to emphasize the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding things that could lessen it.

3. Good design is aesthetic. The beauty of a product is integral to its usefulness because the products we use every day affect us and our well-being. A product can't be well-executed if it is not beautiful.

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#5

The Bollards Outside This School In Dublin Look Like Pencils

The Bollards Outside This School In Dublin Look Like Pencils

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#6

A Skate Shop & A Butcher Shop Are Located Next To Each Other. They Share One Sign

A Skate Shop & A Butcher Shop Are Located Next To Each Other. They Share One Sign

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4. Good design makes a product understandable; it clarifies the product's structure. Better still, it can make the product "talk." If a product is designed flawlessly, it is pretty much self-explanatory.

5. Good design is unobtrusive. Products fulfill a purpose. They're like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, leaving room for the user's self-expression.

6. Good design is honest. It does not try to manipulate the consumer; it doesn't promise what it can't deliver.

7. Good design is long-lasting. It avoids fashion trends so therefore it never appears like an antique from the middle ages. Unlike fashionable design, good design lasts many years – even in today's fast-paced world.

#7

The Logo On My Umbrella Only Shows Up When Wet

The Logo On My Umbrella Only Shows Up When Wet

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#8

This Is Beautiful

This Is Beautiful

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8. Good design is thorough down to the last detail. Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance: care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the user.

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9. Good design is environmentally friendly. It conserves resources and minimizes physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.

10. Good design is as little design as possible. You've heard it a thousand times, less is better. As cliché as it sounds, Dieter Rams believes it to be true. Good design concentrates on the essentials and does not place unnecessary burdens on the product.

Do you think Rams would like this list? Tell us in the comments!

#10

This Bench That Looks Like A Book

This Bench That Looks Like A Book

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ethandreemurrh avatar
engineer_nope.avi
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm curious on what the text says tbh, but I guess I'll read on it later.

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#11

My Friend's House Key Is Shaped Like A Sword

My Friend's House Key Is Shaped Like A Sword

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askrivan avatar
80 Van
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could play Sword in the Stone every time you unlocked the door.

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#12

My Raincoat Reveals A Floral Pattern When Wet

My Raincoat Reveals A Floral Pattern When Wet

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#13

The Inside Of The Pizza Box Was A Tuxedo

The Inside Of The Pizza Box Was A Tuxedo

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#14

This Bench Is Made From A Curled-Up Paving Stone

This Bench Is Made From A Curled-Up Paving Stone

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Nicky Hargrave
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is actually Newcastle upon Tyne outside the Laing Art Gallery. I've sat on that bench and can confirm that it is not very comfortable.

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#15

This Barbie Doll With Vitiligo

This Barbie Doll With Vitiligo

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#16

National Geographic Gallery Uses Its Logo As A Door Handle

National Geographic Gallery Uses Its Logo As A Door Handle

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#17

I Have A Clock Where The Numbers Rotate Rather Than The Hands

I Have A Clock Where The Numbers Rotate Rather Than The Hands

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#18

My Space-Saving Cat Tower

My Space-Saving Cat Tower

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#19

This Brand Of Coffee Changes The Design For Decaffeinated Coffee

This Brand Of Coffee Changes The Design For Decaffeinated Coffee

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#20

Astronomical Makeup Palette

Astronomical Makeup Palette

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#21

The Air Vents On A Subway In Stockholm Have A Hidden Pacman Easter Egg

The Air Vents On A Subway In Stockholm Have A Hidden Pacman Easter Egg

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#22

This Swiss Bottled Water

This Swiss Bottled Water

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#24

The Wolf On This Van Has Eyes Which Light Up With The Brake Lights

The Wolf On This Van Has Eyes Which Light Up With The Brake Lights

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#26

You Can "Light" And "Extinguish" The Flames On The Menorah

You Can "Light" And "Extinguish" The Flames On The Menorah

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#27

A Wet Floor Sign In The Shape Of A Shark Fin

A Wet Floor Sign In The Shape Of A Shark Fin

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#28

There’s A Skatepark Shaped Like Bacon And Eggs An Hour Out Of Seattle

There’s A Skatepark Shaped Like Bacon And Eggs An Hour Out Of Seattle

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#29

The Handle To This Knife Shop Door Is Also A Knife

The Handle To This Knife Shop Door Is Also A Knife

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mihaimara avatar
Mihai Mara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wouldn't want to know how the door handle of the sex shop nearby looks like. :)))

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#30

A Bench In The Library Of Alexandria

A Bench In The Library Of Alexandria

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#32

An Ashtray That Gives A Visual Representation Of The Negative Effects Of Smoking Cigarettes

An Ashtray That Gives A Visual Representation Of The Negative Effects Of Smoking Cigarettes

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#33

The Pills Which Help Regulate My Heart Rate Are Shaped Like Hearts

The Pills Which Help Regulate My Heart Rate Are Shaped Like Hearts

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#34

Fork At The Eiffel Tower Is The Eiffel Tower

Fork At The Eiffel Tower Is The Eiffel Tower

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#36

This Subway Train Has Clouds On The Ceiling To Look Like The Sky

This Subway Train Has Clouds On The Ceiling To Look Like The Sky

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#38

This Jar Is Shaped To Look Like A Ziplock Bag

This Jar Is Shaped To Look Like A Ziplock Bag

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#39

Here's A Street Lamp That Was Designed To Look Like A Paintbrush

Here's A Street Lamp That Was Designed To Look Like A Paintbrush

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#40

Our Wedding Bands Are Laser Engraved With Each Other's Fingerprint

Our Wedding Bands Are Laser Engraved With Each Other's Fingerprint

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#42

Spotted This Amazing Door Stop At Work

Spotted This Amazing Door Stop At Work

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#44

Somebody In My City Is Walking Around With The Prettiest Soles I've Seen So Far

Somebody In My City Is Walking Around With The Prettiest Soles I've Seen So Far

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#45

Saw This Awesome Metallica Plate On The Freeway Today

Saw This Awesome Metallica Plate On The Freeway Today

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#46

My Local Bakery Has Started Putting BLM On Their Bread

My Local Bakery Has Started Putting BLM On Their Bread

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#47

This Lamp With Individual Switches You Can Turn On And Off

This Lamp With Individual Switches You Can Turn On And Off

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askrivan avatar
80 Van
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless there is one master switch, that would be cool for a bit but become super tedious.

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#48

This Building In Chicago Has A Map Of The Surrounding Area With Its Own Location Marked

This Building In Chicago Has A Map Of The Surrounding Area With Its Own Location Marked

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Chyppa Homer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, phallic obelisk for scale :D (with glowing balls... whaaahahahaha !)

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#49

Cool Tables In Plymouth That Look Like It's Anti-Gravity

Cool Tables In Plymouth That Look Like It's Anti-Gravity

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#50

These Bollards Outside A School Shaped Like Pencils

These Bollards Outside A School Shaped Like Pencils

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Note: this post originally had 164 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.