50 Epic and Hilarious Design Fails, As Shared On This Online Group
Interview With OwnerGood design, when executed properly, draws away from itself, a good chair shouldn’t make you feel where it begins and ends, and a good user interface should not confuse and annoy. But for every ingenious solution, there are ten products that mostly just raise questions.
The “Design Failures” Instagram account shares prime examples of why it’s best to leave making stuff up to professionals. So get comfortable with your best chair, sofa, or stool and scroll through this list of mistakes, bad ideas made real, and downright failures. We also got in touch with Dáithí, who manages the account. Be sure to upvote your favorites and comment your thoughts below.
More info: Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
Could someone please explain this? I'm stuck on Tunashamed and why you would shame anyone with tuna. I see a cross, does it have something to do with Jesus feeding the 5000 with a fish?
No one should be ashamed of tuna...it's great on toast with mayo and lettuce.
lmao that was my reaction (also upvoted u onto 69 lol)
Load More Replies...When I was a kid me and my friend literally had something called "the weird dance"
Load More Replies...Well I was a bit weird as a kid...still weird as an adult....could be right
Kids are weird. I was one of them but not as weird that one kid who crawled into the pizza oven
How dare you insult my precious Starbucks 😂
Load More Replies...And whoever placed the letters…even if it was a decal on either side of the door…they got it all nice and straight
Load More Replies...They're not wrong tho, I don't see why this is on this list....
Bored Panda got in touch with Dáithí, the person behind the "Design Failures" account and they were kind enough to answer some of our questions. Naturally, we were curious if any specific incident or experience was behind creating a page dedicated to bad design.
"Nothing interesting," they shared with us. "The goal was to shed light on design fails. It all started as a way to share the failures I found, but soon, people sent me their own design fails." Which, incidentally, one can still do, if they encounter something similar in the wild and want to share it with the world.
In all fairness, this sign looks older than the acronym.
Load More Replies...Hahaha it's literally me from ages 12-32. Huge antidrug advocate in middle and high school, now advocate for legalization.
This kid runs up to a store checkout guy and asks him what his superpower is. The guy says he doesn’t have one. The kid says “my mom has a superpower. She can eat sugar through her nose!”
No one starts with drugs but life is like a pencil. It takes its toll.
Why is everyone always ragging on Taco Bell? Oh wait, I ate there once.... I remember now.
Load More Replies...My ex's motel hosted a bass fishing contest, one team was the Master Baiters
As a kid I was on a soccer team called the Lions. Shirts came in one day, but they said the "Loins". We still played in them and took team pictures with them.
We also wanted to know why and how these fails happened in the first place in their opinion and what draws the average viewer to the page. "I think it’s a mixture of deadlines, budget, and lack of attention to detail. As it turns out, our brains release a dopamine hit when something terrible happens to others. Basically, we enjoy seeing people fail. We are all terrible human beings, lol."
They are behind their product because the damned doors are jammed again.
Load More Replies..."I don't practice what I preach, because I'm not the kind of person I'm preaching to."--J.R. "Bob" Dobbs
I want this to be intentional cos that would be funny. Otherwise that's a bit sad. Edit: spelling
Fart is indeed a form of art. The sopranos and altos are not one can colonly achieve with symphony ease.
Load More Replies...Criminy... I can barely afford generic farts, now they want me to buy fashion farts? Gah!
You don't have to pay, pick up a few at the fart pantry
Load More Replies...fashion fart is that the new name for a skidmark? 🤔...just asking ..... pmsl "no mum it's not a skidmark it's a fashion fart" 😆
As one river said to another, "My sediments exactly."
Load More Replies...Actually, I spoke to a guy who puts ads on the side of buses, and he said that (here in UK), there is something like 137 different designs of bus, so an ad might look fine on one, and terrible on another.
One of the primary reasons these terrible ideas see the light of day is that usability was never made a priority. At some level, the manager, chief designer, or whoever else was calling the shots decided that getting the product out the door was their chief concern. So the focus shifted from “On a scale of 1 to 10, how well does it work?” to a binary, “Does it function, yes/no.”
A lot of nuances are lost in that gap, since, technically, most of the things in this list do work, just with pretty obvious, glaring, and annoying flaws. In a few cases, these fails serve as a pertinent reminder that it never hurts to get a second pair of eyes on something, as a fresh opinion might notice all the little mistakes, typos, or suggestive content.
HOLY S**T THEYRE ALL SANDMAN FROM AMERICAS SUITEHEARTS
Well it does say "prosto azbuka", while "prosto" means "simple", in my language it also means "dirty" or "vulgar"😁😁
Load More Replies...You gotta teach ’em young! (Given this seems to be a pack of baby wipes.)
I’ve been staring at this for too long. I saw the ‘Jew’ (I am one) I couldn’t reach what it was supposed to say lol. Sigh
Very often, poorly thought-out design doesn’t even come from laziness, but from a certain eagerness. Old, pre-2000s websites, if they are still around, often suffered from this, way too many lights, images, and little animations that ended up cluttering the screen. A good designer would know when to cut their losses and just remove the “unnecessary” features, but an enthusiast might find that difficult.
New writers are often told to “kill their darlings,” meaning to remove things that don’t serve the piece, no matter how much you might like it. Normally, this applies to characters or even passages, but perhaps this idea can be transmitted to people designing things as well. Sometimes a simpler font, fewer images, and clearer messages are just better, no matter how attached you are to it.
It's a good tool for teaching children about how some people will always have an easy out.
Good grief. It is totally Photoshopped. You can find images of all these online. The text actually says: "Can you peel a string cheese rope? How long? EvRrEyYUUA...7e6e67.jpg
Exactly. I can't tell what they were trying for here.
Load More Replies..."Skin" is obviously photoshop. Can't imagine what it would initially have said though...
I just posted a comment above with the original image and content.
Load More Replies...On the other hand, some designers are obsessed with minimalism to such a degree that they make things that don’t even convey the message needed or have any indication of how the item works. Sleep touchscreens, for example, can be very cool, but only if everything is labeled correctly and most of us have encountered a sink that at first glance does not seem to have a faucet.
Other times, the real issue is that no one thought about how something would look at a distance, or how it would look when the color started to fade. This highlights the importance of good research, but obviously, one can’t account for everything. In other cases, such as the anti-plastic cover, wrapped in plastic, alterations are made further down the line.
I'm from Florida and these trees are everywhere. We do know what we're doing, tyvm. 🤣
Load More Replies...Please tell me these have animated lights on the palm fronds because that would be hilarious.
From an article by Adweek: AdWeek did some digging and found the agency behind the billboard, Etcetera, and spoke to the ad’s art director, Chris Sant, who explained what the ad was supposed to mean: "Since Predictor is 99.9 percent accurate, you'd rather depend on the test than your belly,” he said. He even used the phrase “advertising exaggeration” to describe why they’d done it. Well, there you go.
Don't judge guys maybe she had a load of burritos last night
More complex designs tend to suffer from feature creep, cooked up by medaling marketing teams or engineers that got carried away. It’s always cool to have, say, a microwave or coffeemaker with a sea of options, but it’s pretty easy to get washed away with confusion the first time you use it, nevermind weeks later when you’ve already discarded the manual.
The first rule of the anti animal cruelty club is: don't talk about the anti animal cruelty club
Me too, but I have to say, the actual magazine cover design is super cool.
Load More Replies...Depends what the bag is made from. I get a monthly magazine that comes in a bag like this made from plant based plastic. The bag goes either on the compost heap or in the green waste bin.
Was just going to say the same thing. Our car club magazine comes in a biopolymer bag. It looks very similar to that pictured.
Load More Replies...This trend becomes particularly clear when applied to older technology that could possibly “benefit” from modern innovations, for example, not only is the modern TV remote pretty heavy with buttons, but now come with hundreds of options, menus, and “features” to dig through, which is all well and good, however, the actual user interface of these things is seldom well designed.
Thx. for the assist. I couldn't see anything but "Richard" as the first word no matter what
Load More Replies...It took me way too long (the name of the store looks like dìck brick)
Years ago a car in my neighborhood with an unfortunate window sticker. In some crazy font it said Diklips. He must have gotten a lot of comments because he finally got a new one. Turns out it was supposed to say DJ eclipse
Hah. My photographer friend wanted her business cards to say "I shoot people for fun." Her security officer husband talked her out of it. lol
Whelp, I must have a dirty mind because that was the first thing I saw...
Load More Replies...Yeah, I knew what was coming before I even saw the picture. So, then of course, I immediately saw it. I don't know if my mind would have went there otherwise.
Load More Replies...The OP of the image came up with "Platrofm". Design failception
you innocent person....you have no idea how lucky you are
Load More Replies...As good as it is to have cool features, something as simple as a pot of coffee shouldn’t take more time than it did two decades ago just because you have to fight your way through multiple menus. It’s even more distressing when the complicated, annoying device is “replacing” a bit of hardware that used to be incredibly simple, for example, a kettle one puts on the stove, versus a button-laden machine with a two-hundred-word instruction manual.
This is a really primitive way of limiting the input to just digits. The problem is that it doesn't allow for variable length phone numbers. E.g. in most of the UK a phone number is 11 digits, but in a town near me they only have 10 digit numbers. This system doesn't allow for that.
Load More Replies...The one I hate is where you enter the FIRST letter of your email address and underneath the box it says INVALID EMAIL in red. Give me a chance before you start yelling at me!
And one invisible space AFTER your email address also gives Invalid Email
Load More Replies...If you never lie on it, it never wears out so it lasts forever. Very economical
If they had placed him on top of the mattres, then you couldn't really see the product, could you? So who is the smart one now? ;)
I was born in July and this curse has followed me since day one. I guess I am the Cancer.
Honestly, this being my sign makes it easy to shut down the astrology people. What's my sign? Shares a name with something that killed several loved ones (including that cute pup in my profile pic) and keeps haunting other loved ones. I hate my sign for that. Nothing against crabs though. Crabs are amazing. 🦀
This is also why, in ideal circumstances, there is some degree of prototyping and testing before release. However, there is a stage in development where it’s no longer possible to really change fundamentals, in which case the people in charge prefer to close their eyes and just hope for the best.
I worked in a hotel. One day, someone got stuck in the elevator for like ten minutes. Person is crying in the elevator, everyone freaking out, emergency services en route. Then someone pressed the outside call elevator button. Doors open. Turns out, customer had pressed their floor button, it hadn't caught, doors closed automatically, customer stood there, decided they were stuck, freaked out. Problem solved.
I work the night shift at a UPS hub. As part of the recent contract ( that we had to threaten to strike to get them to agree to ), they've started installing fans at some of our work areas. Since it has been over 90 F ( 32 C ) for most of the last couple of weeks, most of my coworkers are pretty happy about this, but I think in 4-6 months they may not be so pleased about the fact that the fans were wired onto the same circuit as the lights. So "lights on" = "fan on".
It's very unlikely that switch could in anyway affect the operation of an elevator. It's designed to control lights... not motors!
Load More Replies...The start button on my microwave is red and the cancel is green. Some mornings I clear it several times before I realize what I am doing wrong.
I didn't spot the colours - couldn't get beyond the Q and Z having their own separate button.
Load More Replies...I have an LED lights remote, the off button is green and the on button is red. Makes no sense
ooo this must be from somewhere where they have orange cows
All hail the new god of BP! My initials are pp so I am sadly only god of the toilet.
Load More Replies...Are you making a p**s joke or is my mind constantly in the gutter?
Load More Replies...If white cows produce white milk, and brown cows produce chocolate milk, then... 🤔
However, one fringe benefit is that every bad design can reveal an idea that doesn't work or highlight a concept that other designers would be wise to not ignore. Plus, like the fresh air after the rain, suffering through a bad coffee maker, for example, makes one really appreciate replacing it with something better. So if you want to see more examples of terrible design, don’t fear, Bored Panda has got you covered, you can find our other articles here and here.
Sheesh,how difficult can it be to actually put a spoon in the bowl?!
Tell me you suck at photoshop without telling me you suck at photoshop…
This is an easy fix... actually could have fixed it when the owner came to check the work that's been done
Is it bad that I’m more bothered that it should be makes, not make?
Making the bold assumption that someone painted that with a paintbrush... WHY?
Could you work that into an "R" rated version of the song "12 days of Christmas" ?
HAHA that's how to write that word without it being censored :)
Load More Replies...Yeah, chores, that's it.... (looks left, then right)
Load More Replies...I used to be able to eat that many, but that I'm middle aged I had to slow down, I can't get past my second or third one anymore.
I feel like this is a joke they made to amuse the adults while the kids play
I disagree, the penis mightier than the sword.
Load More Replies...I heard she was in an accident... Some d1ck cut her off.
Load More Replies...In a journalism class I learned of the perils of typesetting. The article was about the many bills the governor recently signed or vetoed. The headline read: "Governor's pen is busy" except pen and is were combined
Who saw this and said "Yup, looks great!" ... someone had to approve this :) It is funny though!
instead of going to vaction, she should be going to the ER
Downside — it makes it easier to rob customers since they can't make a quick getaway.
Load More Replies...Security feature. No one can look over your shoulder as you key in your PIN
It is basically the english version of an italian magazine. Italian here, not many of us know the word wh*re, right under the title on the right you can see the website. Nevertheless it's very funny
Why do you all focus on the words, and not the fact that he is proposing with a wheel?
Took me waaaaaayyy too long to get this. For those as stupid as I am, it's printed on paper.
I still can't get my head around how publishing houses are doing this in print materials. Have you no editors?
Sir sir the textbook isn't working. Huh maybe the WiFi is down. I'll call Tech Support
Top Tip: That's not milk. (Thank you VIZ for warping my fragile little mind.)
On the other hand, that one person gets the cubicle to themselves!
Load More Replies...always these disabled elderly pregnant children! They´re just the worst!
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
“And even before Carl’s Jr moved into that old movie theater, I STILL would not recommend…”
Load More Replies...Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Lets just randomly throw these letters on the wall and call it artsy.
I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Don't ask me how I got there, I have a concussion
Actually, I think it’s a pretty valid depiction of how life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness looks to most people.
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness is yours if you can find it.
He invented the shooters to avoid this spider fact from getting out.
It isn't esc. I once tried pressing that when promted to press anykey. Did not work as intended.
Load More Replies...But wouldn't that be 3 times for each 9 so you'd have to press 3 nine times?
Load More Replies..."it's under that light fixture." "under where?"
Load More Replies...Oh yeah, that's in Eislingen, Germany. They love their Christmas panties.
We had(have?) them in my hometown and everyone called me "negative " or overly critical to point out the pantines of it. I feel so redeemed. I only wish i had stayed in contact so I could send them this😂
I actually like lemons, and can stand the sour just fine, what I don't like is my lips feeling like they're burning in a fiery inferno.
Load More Replies...Winking Santas on the outside. Santa's winkey on the inside
Load More Replies...Look, gotta reuse the molds somehow, it's just good market penetration.
I think we just discovered a "Secret Santa" have a Merry Christmas !
Took me waaay too long to see it because of the shïtty sepia-toned picture
What should you do if your partner starts smoking? Slow down and use some lube.
I was at a business meeting one day & the presenter, a Consultant, used that phrase & added "also the motto of Australian colostomy bag wearers". Cue a very embarrassing silence...
Load More Replies...Planner to illustrator "sure you know how to draw human hands?" "Sure thing boss!"
lol! btw, someone downvoted you. I wanted to upvote, so could someone neutral about it upvote? this deserves it. :)
Load More Replies...Worked at a party City. This was… common. I think it’s on purpose at this point
Having experienced City codes, it probably states that there shall be "3 toilets and 2 urinals for this office if you have a minimum 12 men employed", regardless of the available space. Just follow the code. Pre - ADA, you should see the ladies rest room !
Sometimes people try to make something appear to be so innocent, that it actually stops being innocent.
"Doc, the pain in my tooth is killing me." "Not yet it isn't, let me help."
Even though we are closed, I assure you that you can come in!
idk why this was downvoted for no reason. here's an upvote for you :)
Load More Replies...Why yes you can have some, let me whip you up a batch unless you want it straight from the tap.
"Do you think so? Well, I better not show you where the lemonade is made, sweet lemonade, mmm sweet lemonade, yes sweet lemonade..."
Load More Replies...Once you realize that it's stairs, the person clutching the railing makes sense.
Don't see anything strange here. Is it because of the arrow placement?
Load More Replies...Haha. We had a similar sign for parking and shipping at my job; lots of confused truckers. They eventually fixed it so it only says shipping with arrows; it's literally in the middle or the parking area so very pointless to note parking.
"I saaiid, whoever threw that pen, your mom's a..." *points at door mat*
🎶"THERE'S SOME HOES IN THIS HOUSE!"🎶 LOL...I was listening to Freak Nasty on the way to work and when I saw this I sang that line in my head
Ugh, reminds me of Navy boot camp with the toilet stalls facing each and all doors were removed ... humbles you real fast!
Because they don't want to hire someone who would actually fit the pants.
Load More Replies..."artic" at the top. Oof. This person has taken some "artic" license with this map.
On the bright side: I'd love to come to this café or restaurant, and even bring my friends, just to eat, drink, and scoff at this mural! It's like the shops that put their sign out upside-down.
Damn The Mediterranean came back to India. Just like when Alexander was here.
At first I was like, “hehehe INDIA…” and the. It kept getting worse from there
For just a second I thought you cracked the code on this one, then I remembered the term I'm thinking of is HIIT heh
Load More Replies...My sister has a friend who literally has a door for their stairs too.
"it fantastic life intrins astic terrific is mag xcessive express bevted to neglectic be explorativ lived everything everywhere" indeed
"Cover your home in a click" but the kerning on the font makes it look like "díck", and despite the fact it actually says "click" BP has decided to censor it.
Load More Replies...they are not even dog teeth i think the photoshopped it
Load More Replies...This is deliberate though. They purposely used those type of teeth and even did it in the commercials
i've seen worse... one i saw is where its dog paw prints instead of the E's and it looks like it says "joop"
Load More Replies...Who comes decides who country who comes this to. Can’t argue with that.
I think it says, "who comes decides who comes to this country"
Load More Replies...Oh yes. See those all the time. Multiply awful. Especially the Muzak.
Power button badly placed? If not that, then I don't know either!
Load More Replies...I have the same laptop (Surface) never had a problem with the power button.
The power button should not be placed that close to such frequently used keys. Any seasoned IT pro would software disable that button.
Not sure about the fuel gauge, but it must be designed like a brick to get that mpg!
It is simply showing you the gas tank door is on the right side of the car.
