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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 ?

Fauconwill Report

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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

joefife Report

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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

Landash Report

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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

reddit.com Report

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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

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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

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

I could understand maybe accidentally putting the backpack in the wrong part of the ad, but what is the relevance of a backpack in the first place?

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

When you're required to give them your number, but hate phone calls.

marciaseever avatar
Marcia Seever
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand. What does a backpack have to do with a hot water heater? And why is it blocking part of the phone number? If the number is not supposed to be on there, why is it ??? I have a headache now.

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

They don't want you to call. They want you to use their website...

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

Also love the incorrect resolution graphics being used at that size of print... So many things about this sign are the opposite of professional.

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Turnip and a Frog
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is it blocking the number? Should it be blocking the number? Maybe it’s one of those ads where you need to make an effort?

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

why would they think its real? i knew it wasnt before i saw the other angle

elakswindell avatar
Elak Swindell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get why they thought the backpack was needed? Were they thinking, "This will be a laugh when people believe the pack is real on the bench", only to forget that it's covering up their business number?

monica_duffy_54 avatar
Monica
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the hell does a backpack have to do with water heaters?!

anj avatar
Anja Schmidt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

advertising´s getting harder these days. you have to use the internet XD ...

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

There is still something wrong - the strap to the backpack is slightly higher than the sign. Did the signmaker include this very small piece on the upper right corner?

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

What the hell has a backpack got to do with a hot water heater?

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

Look closely at the bottom of the backpack - there is a shadow. If the bag was part of the drawing, why would there be a shadow?

arn_poe avatar
Arn Poe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dunno. It made me stare at the ad so long that, weeks from now, I'm going to remember "CityWide" and "hot water.ca"

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

This company always has something "realistic" on their signs. Cats, grocery bag etc. It seems to be their brand.

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

Well, if they want to be remembered as the company with the bad signage, they've accomplished their goal.

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

Why is there a backpack in the ad? And why would they hide the phone number?

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#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

reddit.com Report

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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.