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Genius designers are obviously made, not born - that's the thought that's likely to pop into your head after scrolling through the popular subreddit Crappy Design. Here you can find the most artistically deprived and esthetically sinister design fails, which will have you wondering just how on Earth any of these product design ideas were allowed to get made.

Obviously, not everyone was meant to be an artistic virtuoso, but these epic fails are so 'out there' and impractical that it's hard not to judge them while rolling on the floor laughing. Here are the bad designs that we think are the most interesting and the funniest. So scroll down, upvote your favorite funny photos and let us know if you've seen designs worse than these! And in case you're still hungry for some funny fails from backward-handed designers, check out more of Bored Panda's lists here, here, here, here, and here.

#1

The Imperial System

The Imperial System

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The metric system makes so much more sense, why the imperial system is still used is beyond me.

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#2

Wow

Wow

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wandile dludlu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm pretty sure they knew about this and just thought it would be fun to explain it all the time

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Bored Panda reached out to Crappy Design’s community to learn a bit more about the subreddit. “The original motivation for the subreddit was to point out crappy designs. Nowadays, most subscribers probably come here for entertainment. However, it is common to have meaningful discussion here on why or why not something is crappy design,” the subreddit’s moderators explained.

They also added that “the subreddit was created 8 years ago. Currently, there are 1.7 million subscribers with over 2 million page views per month. It is very popular.”

While looking through the pictures, some of us are sure to be thinking that we could have done a far better job designing these things than the people who made them. The ‘Crappy Design’ subreddit's members most likely think the same.

#3

Rose Uh ?

Rose Uh ?

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Toujin C'Thlu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once again, a case of poor color choice. That bedspread looks more like homicide evidence.

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#4

The Cat Just Trapped Me In The Bathroom By Opening A Drawer

The Cat Just Trapped Me In The Bathroom By Opening A Drawer

LaztheFox Report

According to researcher and author Don Norman, there are principles of good design which help people evaluate whether a product is a boon or a bust. For example, Norman believes all good designs are innovative and push the boundaries of what an object means to us. Naturally, well-designed objects also have to be useful, beautiful to look at, easy to understand and uncluttered in how they look.

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#5

Sign At A Local Beach

Sign At A Local Beach

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Aria FAFAT
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...am i the only one who doesn't find anything wrong with dumping babies in bins on the beach? yes? ok then...

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#6

My School Blocked A Website Because It Was Labeled As Education

My School Blocked A Website Because It Was Labeled As Education

comemosmonos Report

Furthermore, Norman explains in his book ‘The Design of Everyday Things’ that good design means being honest and upfront about what the object does.

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Also, objects should be long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and well-designed to the tiniest detail. Finally, products shouldn’t be over-designed.

#9

Almost Broke My Leg

Almost Broke My Leg

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similarly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my goodness! There are so many things wrong here. If that's in the USA, it would not pass an inspection. They could get sued.

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#10

Imagine Having To Wear This For Your Job

Imagine Having To Wear This For Your Job

sovietmetalhead Report

The Interaction Design Foundation explains that bad designs are overloaded with information and force the user to do more work than is necessary. Akshayta Rao writes that we all intuitively notice badly designed items but find it difficult to explain why good designs are, well, good. According to her, a well-known example of bad design would be USB cables. She’s right because we’ve all tried plugging them in the wrong way more than once. Some of us maybe even hundreds of times.

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#11

...to Advertise Plus Size Clothing

...to Advertise Plus Size Clothing

reddit.com Report

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is just ridiculous advertising and certainly doesn’t entice me to want to shop there.

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#12

A New Park Opened In My City, Pretty Lovely, And This. Buttcleaner3000

A New Park Opened In My City, Pretty Lovely, And This. Buttcleaner3000

XmeDavid Report

What do you think about these principles of good and bad design? Do you agree with them? Which things in this list of crappy designs do you think are the worst offenders? Let us know!

#13

I Bought A Billboard To Promote My Business And They Screwed Up The Formatting

I Bought A Billboard To Promote My Business And They Screwed Up The Formatting

bencahn Report

#14

Crystal Furniture Set That Looks Like Raw Meat

Crystal Furniture Set That Looks Like Raw Meat

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Erika Jones
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sad thing is that all that ugliness was probably also insanely expensive!

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#15

The Packaging Of Lol Dolls

The Packaging Of Lol Dolls

Nicoledhearted Report

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nanashi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

more proofs that we can stop littering, if only we stop blaming everything on the consumer and start policing the people who made these kind of c**p

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And don't buy this literal rubbish. .... consider unpacking it in the store, and hand the rubbish back. Ok it is not the staff's fault. But if enough people do it, ...it might get to management level.

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james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, that is insane. Companies should be held more accountable with the amount they package their products in plastic packaging.

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FABULOUS1
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought both my granddaughters one for Christmas when they first came out, never again. These are just over priced c**p and what you are paying for is the packaging. You can get the same quality items just by giving them a couple of quarters and let them get something out of the gumball machine.

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The Suz 81
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just keep thinking about how long it probably took to get all of that OUT of the packaging.

buggy-boo825 avatar
Doober
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never come across any other toy that was so infuriating to open. All that work just to find a tiny poop of a toy that my kid is going to lose in some crevice of the house anyway. Never again!

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Shawn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is f*****g ridiculous.. companies should be fined heavily for this kind of c**p

raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tiny collectable toys and their packaging are the worst. Pleeeaase do not buy this stuff, ever.

ltweezie avatar
Louise Stange-Wahl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More junk to murder more of our fellow creatures. Have removed plastic from manatees and birds. I think it is a bit much to ban all plastic bags since peeps like me use them over and over, but they should change the material so that it easily self-destructs sooner rather than later.

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's absolutely brutal. I hope it was at least recyclable.

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Gemma Lees
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never seen a company take "single use plastics" as a f*****g challenge before.

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Zoila Flores Pena
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People who love LOL dolls (not me I love LPS, search it up buster.) :"MOMMY! Buy me this LOL doll house!" Mommy: It says 'dolls sold separately well I'll buy it." *At home* Mommy: I have to clean too much LO trash. Mommy doesn't know what lol is so she says lo.

girlrebuilt1975 avatar
Girl Rebuilt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To compound this nonesense, if this item was purchased online it probably came bubble wrapped, then wrapped in brown paper, surrounded by those inflatable plastic packing inserts or styrofoam peanuts, inside a box the size of a bar fridge. And we wonder why we’re in the crisis we are in.

lmcn avatar
L McN
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering there is a law in the USA that states you cannot use excessive packaging or "space" unless it is designed to protect the product, and that these toys are practically indestructible, it is a wonder that they have gotten away with it. Oh....wait...I guess the USA has to start enforcing the laws first....

mittenkg avatar
Alib
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This depresses me to no end. And the kid will play with them for, like, a week.

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Emerald Joanna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my gosh I know!!!! I bought my stepdaughter one & only one - i was SHOCKED at how much wrapping & plastic there was.

vikimiau avatar
Viktorija Kazakeviciute
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

stupid parents buying this stuff for childrens ... why why oh why you buy such tipe of toys .... why, again....

veni_vidi_vicky avatar
Vicky Zar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well...... a lot of parents can't stand making their kids REALLY sad! But I guess the main reason is, that they just don't give a damn...

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Gerald Bray
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yet another reason those demon dolls are not allowed in my house

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Sandra Simpson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't just be a little package with the doll and a baggie with all of her darn accessories?

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Just saying
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You sure aren't lying about this one. I have always wondered why this is. My poor granddaughter gets so excited, until she opens it, lol.

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Lois Pack
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just awful, and makes suckers out of parents who keep have to buy the dolls without knowing what’s in the package, scurrilous.

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Lůca Červeňová
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you kidding? I would play the sh*t out of these boxes - they could be used as beds or bathhouses for dolls, for example. When I was a kid and I wanted my Kinder Suprise toys to have a house, I just turned my toy car on its side and filled the hollow bottom part with all kind of stuff to pretend it's an actual furniture. Use your imagination, dammit!

cw00208 avatar
Chris Walters
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing like colorful tiny choking hazards packaged in two tons of trash...

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KT Trondsen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly why i refuse to buy those toys. Incredibly wasteful, can't recycle it. Love Lego for their enviro friendly and recycling packaging

baconycakes1337 avatar
Bacony
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fern's not gonna be a happy plant when she sees this...

gerry1of1 avatar
Gerry Higgins
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Small toys often have large packaging to prevent easy theft putting it in pockets.

kjorn avatar
Kjorn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so true… i'm not maniac about packaging, but these toys it's horrible! and if even I say that…

aidar_nurtakanov avatar
Aidar Nurtakanov
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it's all marketing. just make one good ad where toy trash goes to a landfill or the ocean and show to your kids. then ask if they want to be part of it. I bet sales will drop by half minimum.

sarah-lennie avatar
TheKnightOwl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the main reasons I refuse to buy those things for my girls, don't care how much they think I'm mean.

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Esca Sav
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just bought an LOL doll for my niece because I found out she doesn't get the newest series in her country. This type of toy design isn't ridiculous (in my opinion) and parents aren't stupid for buying something that would make their child happy. Personally, I never heard of this doll and it wasn't until my niece mentioned it that I suddenly noticed this thing everywhere. The design concept is creative (unpacking one gift to find a dozen more) especially for a child. The paper in the picture also show secrets about the doll (like if the clothes change color in water or temperature, etc.). The one that I bought for her had little to no trash and the left over trash was recyclable, too. Even looking above I can see the left over trash is recyclable paper and plastic. In the product above, the manufacturers went a little too crazy with the packaging, but I've come across these products consistently recently and I haven't seen many that end up with this much excess trash. I would recommend using less plastic though as recycling it is costly.

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Kioh81
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of the curled strips that look like paper are actually plastic shrink wrap type stuff that is NOT recyclable. There's very little paper in the packaging overall. Even the little softball sized balls that the dolls/pets come in have a ridiculous amount of trash for something thats only maybe 2-3 inches tall. My daughter loves LOL dolls but I won't buy them for her anymore. I've explained that the waste packaging is bad for the environment not only for us to be opening but also for the company to be producing. She was upset that the trash would hurt animals and the earth and that was the end of that thankfully.

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Octavia Hansen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem is small items are easily shoplifted. Larger packaging makes this difficult. It also fools a kid that they are getting more than what's actually there . . .

heathervance avatar
AzKhaleesi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why you need birds. I have 6 of them and they play with stuff like this, so no waste :)

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#17

Wow. I Laughed When I Saw This!

Wow. I Laughed When I Saw This!

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#18

Was Worried About Privacy, So I Asked If They Could Put A Door Up To The Men's Change Room. Problem Solved

Was Worried About Privacy, So I Asked If They Could Put A Door Up To The Men's Change Room. Problem Solved

YonoJ Report

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#19

Don’t Wake Anybody Up If You’re Exiting The Motel During A Fire!

Don’t Wake Anybody Up If You’re Exiting The Motel During A Fire!

Coffee4MySoul Report

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Suzanne Clark
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sort of like the snooze button on your alarm clock?...yes, I'll exit, just give me a couple of more minutes sleep.

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#22

I Normally Enjoy Irony, But Not This Time

I Normally Enjoy Irony, But Not This Time

fernguts Report

#23

My Original Post Was Removed Because Everyone Thought The Backpack Was Real. Here’s Another Angle That Shows That The Bag Is Part Of The Design And Is Blocking The Phone Number

My Original Post Was Removed Because Everyone Thought The Backpack Was Real. Here’s Another Angle That Shows That The Bag Is Part Of The Design And Is Blocking The Phone Number

watanabelover69 Report

#24

"I Don’t Know How Our Teachers Didn’t Notice This In The Yearbook. They Don’t Even Go To Our School."

"I Don’t Know How Our Teachers Didn’t Notice This In The Yearbook. They Don’t Even Go To Our School."

OctopussSevenTwo Report

#25

The Peas Are Upside Down...

The Peas Are Upside Down...

thegregorious Report

#26

Me And My GF Were Struggling With This Maze We Got When Watching The Pikachu Movie. We Checked The Solution In The Back And They Draw Through A Wall

Me And My GF Were Struggling With This Maze We Got When Watching The Pikachu Movie. We Checked The Solution In The Back And They Draw Through A Wall

amuehleder Report

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Jonathon Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Infuriating! I hated puzzle books that were wrong as a kid, it felt like such a betrayal

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#27

This Pillow At My Grandparents House

This Pillow At My Grandparents House

_smoofie_ Report

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#30

Cozy Seats In Belgium

Cozy Seats In Belgium

Koekoeksklok88 Report

#31

This Bread Packaging That Makes It Look Like It Is Moldy

This Bread Packaging That Makes It Look Like It Is Moldy

chmiiller Report

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

This is actually a brilliant design if you are trying to protect your lunch in the work refrigerator.

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#32

When You Get Lost Thanks To Google Assistant

When You Get Lost Thanks To Google Assistant

alex2003super Report

#33

Reason Why You Should Be Careful In Using Such Type Of Chair. You Need To Make Sure You Got A Good Quality

Reason Why You Should Be Careful In Using Such Type Of Chair. You Need To Make Sure You Got A Good Quality

FiazAhmadOfficial Report

#36

Laughed A Latte At This

Laughed A Latte At This

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

I wonder if they sell the civet-digested coffee from SE Asia!

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#37

Totally-Nailed-It

Totally-Nailed-It

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Suzanne Clark
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like it took a lot of effort to do something that stupid, unless of course, they only need the solar power during the winter when the trees are bare...unless the trees don't get bare.

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#38

Went To Go To The Bathroom At A Local Restaurant And Found A Literal “Crappy Design”

Went To Go To The Bathroom At A Local Restaurant And Found A Literal “Crappy Design”

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#39

Worst Placement

Worst Placement

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Toujin C'Thlu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Judging by his reaction, people didn't seem to take it too seriously and think he was a pedophile.

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#40

Ah Thats What I Want My Toilet To Look Like. Like Someone Peed All Over It

Ah Thats What I Want My Toilet To Look Like. Like Someone Peed All Over It

dawidoxus Report

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miaow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WWhat kind of a toilet seat?! Alright whose the joker that created this? xD

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#41

“Lets Just Make Our Plates Look Like They Haven’t Been Washed In 4 Years”

“Lets Just Make Our Plates Look Like They Haven’t Been Washed In 4 Years”

reddit.com Report

#42

2nd Birthday Badge Potentially A Choking Hazard

2nd Birthday Badge Potentially A Choking Hazard

Mozzarella_Firefox Report

#43

Accidental Comedy 

Accidental Comedy 

audhubillah Report

#44

Hungary 101

Hungary 101

xXGRUGOXx Report

#45

Not Really “Crappy” But Still

Not Really “Crappy” But Still

AlfredKC Report

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Suzanne Clark
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't imagine on what planet the designer thought that would be appropriate.

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#46

Why Is The Ocean Filling Up With Plastic?

Why Is The Ocean Filling Up With Plastic?

Ac_50 Report

#47

The Way They Cut The Carpet To Make This Door Open Instead Of Just Cutting The Door. (Found In Basement Of Newly Bought House)

The Way They Cut The Carpet To Make This Door Open Instead Of Just Cutting The Door. (Found In Basement Of Newly Bought House)

mattrowskayaks Report

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

Note to self: Call carpet installer BEFORE door installer.

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#48

How... How Are You Supposed To Sleep With A Light In Your Face?

How... How Are You Supposed To Sleep With A Light In Your Face?

AGenericGuyNamedSeth Report

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#50

Fashion Is Evolving

Fashion Is Evolving

girolski07 Report

Note: this post originally had 133 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.