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It is absolutely fascinating to discuss the balance between function and form when it comes to various designs. Here’s the problem, though: many people tend to assume that a product, ad, or work of art has to necessarily be either aesthetic or super-functional if it doesn’t strive for balance. How naive! We’re here to show you that there are some truly horrible design ideas out there. Awful taste, as well as awful execution, is putting it mildly.

And that’s where the ‘Awful Taste And Awful Execution’ (aka ATAAE) online community comes in. A subreddit uniting 81.5k members, it’s a celebration of everything that’s awful, taste-wise. We’ve collected some of their best (or would that be ‘worst’?) pics to share with you. The images are a great reminder that you, Pandas, have far better taste.

Scroll down, and let us know which of these designs you loved to hate the most by giving them a big ol’ upvote. Oh, and don’t be shy—share your honest thoughts with everyone in the comments.

#1

Both Of These Look Like Cow Shit Mixed With Dog Vomit. I Pity Their Poor Family

Both Of These Look Like Cow Shit Mixed With Dog Vomit. I Pity Their Poor Family

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

i think for the sake of your family's safety just stop cooking for the rest of your lives

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Ariane Sherine, the editor at These Three Rooms, was kind enough to answer Bored Panda's questions about taste, interior design, and aesthetics.

"Interior design is much harder than it looks. It's actually more difficult to find combinations that do work well together! Generally speaking, pair like with like, so: brights with other brights, neutrals with neutrals, pastels with pastels, neon with neon, muted colors with other muted colors, etc." she listed what homeowners should keep in mind if they want to leave a positive impression and avoid jarring visuals.

"The same is often true for materials, so if you like natural materials like rattan and bamboo then go for a natural scheme. If you prefer synthetic materials, ditto," she said.

#2

Maga-Themed Wedding Dress

Maga-Themed Wedding Dress

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

How empty is your life when you make your wedding about another man who even if he were aware of your existence wouldn’t give two smelly sh!ts about your MAGA wedding. I despair of humanity

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We were interested to get the interior design expert's opinion on first impressions, specifically what guests would notice first when entering the kitchen or bathroom.

"First off, they notice how clean and tidy and fragrant the room is. You can have a wonderfully stylish kitchen or bathroom, but if it's dirty and smells terrible that'll be your guests' overall impression of it," Ariane, from These Three Rooms, said that no matter how aesthetic and stylish everything looks, it doesn't count for much if you haven't gotten the basics right.

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"Secondly, they'll notice how it functions and what their experience of it is: is there enough loo paper or kitchen towel? Does the hand wash smell nice? Does the loo flush? Do the appliances work? And lastly, they'll notice the décor. Décor is subjective but an empty loo roll definitely isn't!"

#4

Yeah Nice

Yeah Nice

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do we really need two Dakotas? They're basically the same state. I think it's time to merge them together and save some money on paperwork.

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#5

What Exactly Is On Her Face

What Exactly Is On Her Face

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

Reminds me of that old Dexy Midnight Runners song ... "Come on Eileen" 😎

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Finally, Ariane shared her thoughts about embracing what we love, no matter what others might think about our design decisions. At the end of the day, what matters is that you're happy. She noted that you could apply this to all of your life choices, not just design and taste.

"It's all about being confident in yourself and knowing that it doesn't matter what others think of your style. As long as you're happy, who cares whether Aunty Pat thinks your sofa's garish?!"

#7

This Is The Logo Of A Local Bakery. Looks Like The Angel Is About To Eat Some A**

This Is The Logo Of A Local Bakery. Looks Like The Angel Is About To Eat Some A**

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#8

Out Of This World! I Was Told You Guys Would Appreciate This!

Out Of This World! I Was Told You Guys Would Appreciate This!

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

People with all of those white things everywhere that say things like 'Life is family, family is life. Dreams are forever etc. are usually narcissists and idiots.

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

People really need to stop doing this upcycling, if you want to renovate some furniture in this style, go out and buy flat packs or cheap stuff and ruin that. I'll explain my reasoning, few years back I was looking for a specific style of chest of draws after discovering that the one I had was actually produced in pairs, I stumbled across something that looked simular on Market Place, but it needed a lot of work to bring it back to it origional condition. She wanted £200 for it but I asked if she was willing to reduce the price due to the work required, turns out she'd spent the better part of a week staining and painting it, and in the process ruining a beautiful piece of antique furniture and losing out on over a thousand pounds.

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

even if it wasn't originally an antique it still looks absolutely hideous.

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

It says “BAR” on the corner – does she have to label everything in her home to remember what everything is for?

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

I don't get why tho. 1. It looks absolutely tacky and 2. how many drinks can you fit on the upper "tray"? 2?

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

Agree with your first point. As for the tray, the idea was that the bottles went in the globe, glasses were kept on the bottom tray and the part by the globe was for the ice bucket, fruit for cocktails, etc.

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

I'm pretty sure that's not antique. Looks more like the 70's version to me. And the 70's were the worst decade EVER for tastefulness.

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

Pretentious kitsch replaced with Barbie kitsch. You just know it originally held Harvey’s Bristol Creme. Now it holds flavored white rum.

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idrow1
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glitter? check. Hackneyed motivational sayings? check. Numbnut? check.

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

"I was told you guys would appreciate this." You were told wrong.

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

If it's a real onr, she could have sold it for a bunch of money.

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

what was wrong with the pic on the left? the one on the right looks weird

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

Many antiques which were worth quite a bit even 10 years ago, are no worth next to nothing. If the owner of the globe bar likes the new version, then there was a great outcome. Many of these go to the dump because no one wants them.

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

It may have been an antique as a matter of age but it likely wasn't a valuable antique.

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

Let her have her tray. Stop being horrible to her, just because she choose to upcycle it and you dont like it.

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

She can keep it. It’s not going to be taken away from her on account of people online saying they don’t like it.

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

I have this bar ( the one on the left ) but the extra counter part isn't there.

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

Anyone who paints wood rather than stain needs to have their head examined. Same idiots that paint brick.

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

My first wife wanted a globe bar and I said absolutely no! (She also wanted a grandfather's clock. NOOOO!)

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

This is worse than the child that covered the TV in makeup. At least that picture had a hilarious caption under it, saying "I saw a kartrashian so I fixed it"

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

"Upcycling". Wtf. I collect late 60s Chryslers and the WORST things to hear if you are in the original car game include "updated" "modernized" "upgraded" and for any restorer who loves his game, even hearing or reading "fixed" or "repaired" makes me cringe..... and when I see "restored" my heart breaks.....

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

Left: a beautiful and aged well treasure. Right: A travesty that I guess is supposed to be "fun and cute"

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

Did anyone tell them this was not "upcycling" but sheer vandalism ?

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

I think it's cute and to be fair so many things like this are just dumped if she paid for it and she's happy people should get off her back and if they're that worried about the antiques go buy them themselves

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

That's just disgusting. Such a beautiful piece ruined and they could have just bought a run of the mill tray to redecorate.

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

I can understand the sentiment behind the backlash!! Her intention was good, but the tool she used to carry out her plan wasn’t made for that!!

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

I remember glueing a bunch of New kids on the block posters on a (cheap) grandfather clock I that someone was throwing out! I was like 11

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

I seriously doubt that was an antique...either way though - hideous

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

I love how the antique looks, but the person put time and effort to create the one on the right. And it's well done. Why hate on it. There's no point in hating.

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

Shhh, guys. We need gotta be very quiet. There is Karen in our midst!

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Penny Kemper
Community Member
1 year ago

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I'm sorry but they sold those in the 80a you can probably still buy them now. Pretty sure it's not an antique. (I look you can buy one right now at Walmart.) And seriously antiques are that special unless they are passed down in your family.

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

Antiques are certainly special regardless - passed from the family or not. There’s a sentimental value added if they were in family for ages but you wouldn’t turn down Tiffany’s silverware or depression glassware if there were lying in the street

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#9

Balloon Elsa

Balloon Elsa

QualityCucumber Report

The ‘Awful Taste And Awful Execution’ subreddit has been around since 2017. In the 5+ years since, the members of the ATAAE community have scoured the internet for some of the biggest insults to good taste to ever exist in our timeline. It’s truly puzzling how some people completely lack any and all aesthetic awareness.

Our tastes might play a large role in whether or not we find a design, product, or work of art appealing, but it’s important to remember that there are such things as objectively good or bad designs. Good design means putting the user first. Designs ought to be functional, pleasing, and ergonomic.

#10

Somewhere Out There, A Circus Is Missing Its Clown Car

Somewhere Out There, A Circus Is Missing Its Clown Car

stevieweezie Report

Tim Antoniuk, an expert in Design Studies at the University of Alberta, previously spoke to Bored Panda about good and bad design. He noted that good designs ought to constantly adapt to a changing, modern world.

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“Given the speed of change that we encounter today in our lives in the digital environment that we live in, I believe that some great design is not necessarily timeless. One example is seen in Interface Design, Ux Design, and in-service design. As new layers get added into our lives, things naturally have an evolutionary cycle,” the design expert told Bored Panda earlier.

“This is different from furniture which naturally can be more ubiquitous and designed to fit the human body. There is a great deal of fuzziness in this discussion but I do believe that the essence of this idea is true," the professor said that certain product designs have far more longevity than others, depending on the area.

#15

Originally Posted On Atbge, But Definitely Belongs Here

Originally Posted On Atbge, But Definitely Belongs Here

aupdegrove24 Report

"The gray area comes in when people start to talk about taste and about degrees of aesthetic. I may love the design of Bauhaus furniture, for example, while somebody may feel that it is too cold and void of personality,” the expert accounted for people’s differing tastes.

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#16

She Will Totally Not Regret That Tattoo

She Will Totally Not Regret That Tattoo

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

Better start rocking that Michael Jackson glove during job interviews.

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“Not unlike great art, I believe that much of what came from this era is ‘great design,’ in part because it represents an era and a philosophy. When we start to mix in discussions of taste and preference, that is where the gray areas of good and bad design get blurred,” he said.

#19

This Hairway To Heaven

This Hairway To Heaven

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#21

Renovations Done To 500-Year-Old Caldwell Tower In Scotland

Renovations Done To 500-Year-Old Caldwell Tower In Scotland

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

This has been on here many times. I believe the owners had to do something modern to it (the planning department insisted) so that it was a renovation commensurate with the time it was carried out.

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According to Antoniuk, from the University of Alberta, people can generally intuitively feel what designs are good and which ones aren’t.

"Quite often, this relates to ergonomics and the usability or functionality of the products and services and systems. Having said that, I think far too many people expect poor design that doesn’t really work well," he told us.

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#22

Poor Thing Needs To Be Put Out Of Its Misery

Poor Thing Needs To Be Put Out Of Its Misery

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#24

Horrible Tattoo And Use Of A Birthmark

Horrible Tattoo And Use Of A Birthmark

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"For me, great design is what Dieter [Rams] talks about—it is also intuitive, it is deeply sympathetic and empathetic to the user at all levels, and at some level, it is emotional. It is a catalyst for giving us feelings."

#25

When You’re Trashy But Also Complex

When You’re Trashy But Also Complex

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

I found my glasses. Wish I hadn't. Can't look away. Send help. Or Valium. Prefer Valium.

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#27

F**k Me

F**k Me

curiousiceberg Report

Which of these pics did you find the most painful to look at, dear Pandas? Why do you think some people have such a hard time realizing that their sense of what does and does not work totally doesn't match what's actually aesthetic? How would you break the news to someone to tell that they might just lack taste and may need to develop it more? Let us know in the comments!

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#30

Lil Uzi Vert Pierced His Forehead With A $24 Million Pink Diamond

Lil Uzi Vert Pierced His Forehead With A $24 Million Pink Diamond

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#32

I'm Unsure If This Atrocity Has Made Its Way Here Yet.. I Can't Unsee

I'm Unsure If This Atrocity Has Made Its Way Here Yet.. I Can't Unsee

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#34

Getting A Bad Tattoo Of An Egirl Might Be The 2021 Version Of Hitting Rock Bottom

Getting A Bad Tattoo Of An Egirl Might Be The 2021 Version Of Hitting Rock Bottom

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#35

Happy Birthday! Here’s Some More Ptsd

Happy Birthday! Here’s Some More Ptsd

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Note: this post originally had 113 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.