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Think of some great designs of the modern era. Like iPhone, Tetra Pak, Post-It, Zippo, the list is endless. How would you describe it? Simple, smart, timeless, appealing, intriguing, engaging, well, basically everything but what you’re about to see in this post.

Because we’re about to dive into the collection of pics that put design to shame. Whether it’s a product, window, furniture, interior, poster design, you name it, they all have some pretty bad examples they would much rather forget.

So without further ado I leave the stage to a bunch of aesthetic apocalypses from this amusing corner of Reddit that will make you appreciate whatever it is that you have at home, even that old broken chair that’s barely alive, because it could be worse. Worse squared.

Psst! After you’re done, treat yourself with more epic design fails from our previous posts here, here and here.

#1

Suppose To Say Trick Or Treat

Suppose To Say Trick Or Treat

probler Report

#2

My Son Won This As A Prize In Math Class A While Back. It Used To Say “Be A Problem Solver”

My Son Won This As A Prize In Math Class A While Back. It Used To Say “Be A Problem Solver”

MrBirdBeak Report

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nicolebaughman2006 avatar
Nicole Tomme
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then it will say "Be a Pro" and then just "Be." This is an existential pencil. I would just stop sharpening at "Beap."

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GlitterQueen541
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There used to be one for DARE (the anti drug school program) That initially said "too cool to do drugs" but as it was used and sharpened became "cool to do drugs", "do drugs", and eventually just "drugs"

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

Reminds me of the pencil with DON'T DO DRUGS, then DO DRUGS and finally, DRUGS.

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

Soon it will say "Be a PRO". It's a variable motivational phrase.

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

We had pencils that said Don't do drugs, but it was the other way around, so after awhile it just said Do drugs and then Drugs

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

i think my neighbor (who is in my school) has read this pencil and really taken the advice to heart.

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

Like those never do drugs pencils that would eventually just say "do drugs" hahah

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

Soon it will read "be a pro" so then the problem is indeed solved!

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

People really need to simulate the use of their products, before shipping out the design 😆

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

Once your worn down so far, you have no choice but to turn to the dark side

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

It’s sweet that he kept it and used it for so long. On a different note, why do Americans call Mathematics ‘Math’? It’s ‘Maths’!

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The idea of a bad design is somewhat universal. It looks awful, is utterly useless and hard to use. But if a product is not aesthetically pleasing, can we really dub it a bad design? After all, nothing is perfect (not even an iPhone, dear Steve) so some flaws should be tolerated.

Well, let’s take a look at what are the features of bad design and how can we spot one from meters away. First off, the design should be self-explanatory and intuitive. Also known as a customer-friendly trait, it’s something we all expect from apps, websites and so on. But the same rule applies to gadgets, devices, etc. Too many unnecessary features distract the consumer and render the product virtually unusable.

#4

This Portuguese Football Team Shorts

This Portuguese Football Team Shorts

EletricoAmarelo Report

#5

We Had To Stop... We Kept Mixing Up Our Pieces

We Had To Stop... We Kept Mixing Up Our Pieces

MaxMustemal Report

#6

I Almost Gagged When I Opened The Cabinet In My Bnb. Turns Out It Was Just The Design

I Almost Gagged When I Opened The Cabinet In My Bnb. Turns Out It Was Just The Design

barebasem Report

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To be more precise, let's look at some examples. Oslo Opera House Porsgrund coffee cups have made headlines for their distinctive design and serious boiling hazard. The unique design of the handles forces you to grip a small tab protruding from the top of the cup. There’s a small groove excavated halfway, meaning every time you take a sip or hold the cup, you come very close to some-degree burn.

#7

Almost Drank From This Bottle Of Wood Polish Disguised As A Water Bottle

Almost Drank From This Bottle Of Wood Polish Disguised As A Water Bottle

puta_blyat Report

#8

Ah Yes, The Eiffel Tower, My Favorite Italian Landmark

Ah Yes, The Eiffel Tower, My Favorite Italian Landmark

Rene1993In Report

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

Fact: the only thing stopping the Leaning Tower of Pisa from falling down is the long thin rope tied to the Eiffel Tower.

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Back in 2010, an Indian cell phone startup called LAVA decided to introduce a revolutionary new product. It was probably one of the few mobile phone inventions that nobody used. The company decided to invent their own special way of typing, and installed the dual typing keyboard into their LAVA B5 which made little sense. Turned out that none of the consumers were willing to relearn such a basic thing as typing, surprise surprise!

#10

You Have To Step Over The Bathtub To Get Between The Toilet And The Sink

You Have To Step Over The Bathtub To Get Between The Toilet And The Sink

Mococe Report

#11

Why Do Hotel Rooms Insist On Making Me Watch My Partner Bathe? I‘m Just Glad I’m Not Sharing The Room With A Friend Or Parent…

Why Do Hotel Rooms Insist On Making Me Watch My Partner Bathe? I‘m Just Glad I’m Not Sharing The Room With A Friend Or Parent…

Coneskater Report

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#12

My Grandparent’s Carpeted Bathroom

My Grandparent’s Carpeted Bathroom

Iamwallpaper Report

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

I've been in a thick carpeted bathroom... it even had a heater in there. One of the most comfortable rooms I've ever been in. Horrible design, yes... but easily the best thing ever when you're in there

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Another historical fail in the product design hall of shame is this distinctive vehicle made by the Reliant Motor Company produced in 1973. The concept of driving was so revolutionized that the company removed a set of wheels. The result was The Reliant Robin, which became the first mass-produced three-wheeled car. And boy, it’s ugly.

#14

Who Wouldn’t Want A Ceiling That Looks Like It’s Covered With Hair?

Who Wouldn’t Want A Ceiling That Looks Like It’s Covered With Hair?

im-jared-im-19 Report

#15

Closet Space

Closet Space

monkbass Report

#16

I'll Drink The What Now?

I'll Drink The What Now?

magicalglitteringsea Report

#17

This Sign That Due To Shade And Letters Being Close To Each Other Is Almost Unreadable

This Sign That Due To Shade And Letters Being Close To Each Other Is Almost Unreadable

polish_animu_boi Report

#19

When It’s A Sfw Foot Post

When It’s A Sfw Foot Post

Toowiz Report

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#20

This Stall Door In A Gas Station Bathroom

This Stall Door In A Gas Station Bathroom

_ThatSynGirl_ Report

#21

If Only There Was A Letter Resembling The Shape Of The Eiffel Tower They Could’ve Used…

If Only There Was A Letter Resembling The Shape Of The Eiffel Tower They Could’ve Used…

racheljobe Report

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

One time in fashion that I wont miss and I hope never comes back- Bedazzled everything.

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#23

These Garbage Bins Placed On Top Of Park Benches To Save Space

These Garbage Bins Placed On Top Of Park Benches To Save Space

arkydon Report

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

They drug testing kit the town is using for their planning department employees has not been working

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#24

Shape Of The Bowl Kind Of Makes It Look Like “Puke”

Shape Of The Bowl Kind Of Makes It Look Like “Puke”

zektuuk138 Report

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Hello it Smee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why didn't they just put the bowl in the word pure? Now their the puke restaurant

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#25

On Today's Episode Of "Extremely Poor Formatting"...

On Today's Episode Of "Extremely Poor Formatting"...

anniedabannie Report

#26

I Feel As Though The ‘Tackling’ Could Be A Little Larger...

I Feel As Though The ‘Tackling’ Could Be A Little Larger...

Serious-Minimum7482 Report

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nfrlprdpr avatar
Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I so want to read the “RULE OF LAW” piece under the “TACKLING” piece.

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#30

You Want Crappy Design? How About A Train Crossing A 7-Lane Highway!?

You Want Crappy Design? How About A Train Crossing A 7-Lane Highway!?

rion-is-real Report

Note: this post originally had 119 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.