50 Genius Solutions To Problems That Many People Weren’t Even Aware Of (New Pics)
Interview With ExpertAt all times, designers ought to ask themselves if their products and services are solving problems and if the people on ‘the other side’ (i.e. the customers) are going to like what they do. Great design is usually instinctively obvious to us. We know it when we see it! However, what’s not as clear is knowing when things can be significantly improved. Sometimes, we’re simply not aware that there are everyday problems to be solved, whatever we do.
Some designers embrace their creativity to the max and go the extra mile to make things better and more convenient for the people around them. Our team here at Bored Panda has gathered some of the most impressive examples of genius solutions to everyday problems to show you that we all deserve to live in a world full of quality design. We shouldn’t have to settle for less! Scroll down for a glimpse of what that looks like.
We wanted to learn more about how product designers can figure out their customers' current and future needs, so we got in touch with marketing psychology speaker Matt Johnson, Ph.D. He was kind enough to answer our questions in detail. Read on for our full interview.
This post may include affiliate links.
The Local Nursing Home Is An Indoor Town. There's A Movie Theater And Pub
Marketing psychology speaker Johnson, who is the host of the branding and human nature blogs, explained to Bored Panda that understanding customers' real needs without relying on mere guesswork is an age-old problem with no silver bullets. At the end of the day, product designers need to embrace a holistic approach to move past assumptions.
"Firstly, direct engagement with users is crucial. Conducting surveys, interviews, and usability tests can reveal insights into customers' preferences, pain points, and behaviors. This approach allows designers to empathize with users, gaining a deeper understanding of their needs and desires," Johnson told Bored Panda via email.
These Lines Painted On The Wall So You Can See You're In The Spot
There Is A Free "Period Pack" At My School For Girls Who Are Unprepared For Their Periods
"Secondly, analyzing data from various sources can provide valuable insights. This includes user feedback, analytics, and market research. By combining qualitative and quantitative data, designers can identify patterns and trends, informing their design decisions."
He continued: "Lastly, collaboration with cross-functional teams, including marketers, engineers, and customer service representatives, can provide diverse perspectives and ensure that designs meet both customer needs and business goals." According to Johnson, these strategies will allow designers to come up with solutions that will resonate with their customers on a deeper level.
"While there's no guarantee that a product will be successful once it reaches the market, these steps can ensure that the product has the best possible chance of success," he said.
My Sink Sprayer Has A Tough Spot Remover. It Shoots A High-Pressure Stream Down The Middle That Is Surprisingly Powerful, But A Cone Of Water Around It Blocks All The Splashes
The Way These Trays At My University Fit On The Table
The Ingredients Section On This Toothpaste Tube Explains Where Each Ingredient Comes From And What It Does
Johnson explained to Bored Panda that anticipating the future needs of customers requires a blend of foresight, creativity, and a deep understanding of human behavior. "Designers and companies can start by closely monitoring trends in technology, society, and culture. By staying abreast of emerging technologies and societal shifts, they can predict how these changes might impact customer needs," he said.
"Additionally, fostering a culture of innovation within the organization is crucial. Encouraging employees to think creatively and explore new ideas can lead to innovative solutions that anticipate future needs. This can be facilitated through brainstorming sessions, hackathons, or by dedicating resources to research and development," Johnson had some practical advice for company leaders to keep in mind.
On top of that, the marketing psychology speaker suggested opting for a customer-centric focus to keep designs relevant and impactful. "Collaborating with customers and gathering feedback in a continuous loop can provide valuable insights into evolving needs and preferences."
My Oven Shows The Time That You Started Cooking In Case You Didn't Set A Timer
Time you put food in or time you turned oven on to start warming up - very different times with very different outcomes!
This Local Shop Gives Old Vegetables For Free So You Can Feed Your Pets
Toothbrush With Replaceable Bristles So You Don't Have To Keep Buying A New Handle
... as long as the bristle part doesn't keep coming off in your mouth while brushing!
Johnson noted that anticipating future needs comes down to having a proactive and adaptive mindset. "By combining strategic foresight with a willingness to experiment and iterate, designers and companies can stay ahead of the curve and deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of their customers."
This sort of approach is market-driven, where companies try to understand and anticipate the needs of their target market. However, this isn't the only methodology, Johnson said. Another approach is being a market-driving force.
"Here, the company doesn't listen to what the customer wants, but rather, it TELLS them what they should want. Brands who take this approach are often found in the luxury market (especially luxury fashion), and in highly innovative companies such as Apple (especially with the iPhone)."
For some more deep-dives into the world of marketing, feel free to read Johnson's posts about the pitfalls of audience capture and the psychology of market-driven music on his blog. "While so many industries are focused on serving the needs of their target market, there's also a significant risk of audience capture, whereby the preferences of the market shape the creators themselves—often profoundly," he told us.
In Case You Don't Feel Like Taking The Elevator, The Technical University In Munich Has A Slide On The 4th Floor
I've seen this picture so much times ! But i still want to try the slide ^^
These Meat Labels React To Ammonia, A By-Product Of Meat Spoilage. Once It Turns Completely Blue, The Barcode Can No Longer Be Scanned
So if it's light blue it's ok ? I will thing too much about it and just look for plain white barcode...
Mall Restroom In Tokyo Has A Holder To Put Your Baby In While You Use The Stall
The Japanese should get regular awards for how innovative they are... (although they might already do?)
Ideally, quality design should be centered on finding the balance between two things: function and form. To put it very simply, as a designer, you want to create an end product that does what it’s supposed to do and also has great aesthetics. In short, if something works flawlessly and looks great, then you’ve done your job extremely well.
Meanwhile, if you do a better design job than your competitors, then you’ve stood out from the crowd. Cue the endless accolades, profits, and applause! However, focusing on function or form alone can backfire. If you’re honing in on either aspect of design at the expense of the other, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. What you want to aim for is creating a holistic experience for your clients.
Miniature Traffic Playground In Copenhagen Where Kids Learn To Bike In Traffic
I don't know how common these are in Germany, but at my school we also had one. Nice idea anyway.
My Local Park Has A Wheelchair Accessible Swing
These Have Been Popping Up All Around My Town
If you focus on function alone, then you risk your design getting lost in the crowd. Even if something performs quite well, your potential customers might not want to buy it if it looks ugly or if your competitors created products that are easier on the eyes.
On the other hand, if you go all-in on cool aesthetics, you also risk pushing your customers away and damaging your reputation.
To put it bluntly, things need to do what they’re supposed to do. Yes, beauty has merit. But that’s why we create and buy art. Products lacking functionality should not masquerade as something more. It’s all fine and well that designers understand the importance of beauty.
However, they should avoid putting their artistic vision on a pedestal.
The Middle Snap On My Baby's Onesie Is A Different Color To Help Align The Buttons
This Papaya Has An "Eating Color" Sticker To Let You Know When It's Ripe
What a smart idea ! Also don"t forget to call it Fruta Bomba if you are in Cuba... Cause Papaya for Cuban mean something else... ^^
My Local Library Has Cake Pans Available To Check Out
Our local library has a "Library of Things" with tools, musical instruments, etc you can borrow. However, there's usually a wait list for some things.
If some aesthetic aspects of the design get in the way of its functionality, it might be time to go back to the drawing board. Similarly, you need to rethink things, as well, if your super-functional product looks worse than what your competitors have put out. Products that aren’t ergonomic or easy to understand and put the customers’ convenience in last place should be reworked.
It’s far easier to market products and design solutions when they solve problems and look great.
When it comes to innovation, however, things get tough. It is difficult enough to genuinely get to grips with what your target customers want and need right now. It’s even harder to anticipate how those wants and needs might change in the near future. It takes a lot of creativity, hard work, and empathy for product designers to accurately guess what the future might hold.
I Found The Best Ever Pencils. After Using Them, You Can Plant The Pencil's Green Bottom In The Soil And Then A Sapling Will Grow
This Shirt Has A Microfiber Lens Cloth Sewn Into It
I need this! Who genuinely carries a glasses cleaning cloth with them at all times? I don't
In Singapore, Senior Citizens And People With Disabilities Can Tap A Card To Get Extra Time Crossing The Street
Singapore has so much ideas about every day life in the city, that's inspiring.
Anticipating future needs so you know how to adapt your designs comes down to doing a lot of research and then extrapolating from that. First of all, you want to see what your biggest competitors in the market are getting right.
A vital part of business and design is being aware of what your contemporaries are doing, as well as what market trends are in vogue.
Projected Markings In Oulu, Finland, When Snow Covers The Ones Painted On The Street
This Airport In Cleveland, Ohio, Has A Station Where You Can Learn CPR For Free
Awesome ! Waiting time at the airport is so boring, what a smart idea !
I Ordered Some Sample Colors For My New Blinds, And They Sent Me An Actual Tiny Little Blinds
Second, you want to directly engage with your customer base. There’s nothing like directly asking someone how you can improve their experience. However, you can’t take everything you hear at face value.
Sometimes, people aren’t even aware of how their lives can be improved. So you need to find ways of figuring out their deeper needs (e.g. saving time, being safer, having more convenience) and how you can meet them.
It Can Be So Easy To Make People’s Lives Easier
I love these! People often see this photo and complain because people shouldn't be "ignoring their baby" but also library computers are so heavily used to access government services, job applications and university work, and if baby is right there next to their adult it's easier for everyone.
Cool Bike Repair Equipment On A Bike Path
Yep in Nice (France) we now have a dozen of this one and it's really cool. strong stuff, no damages on it and really really helpful.
This Shirt Has Buttons On The Inside That Prevents Gaps In The Shirt
Thirdly, creating good design comes down to testing, editing, and trying out different variations of your ideas. You need to—time and time again—try to bridge the gap between what you’re offering your customers right now and what they should ideally be getting in the future that even your competitors can’t provide.
From our perspective, true innovation is an act of profound empathy. It proves that the brilliant people behind the designs can get into the minds and hearts of others.
These Glowing Door Handle Stickers In Case The Power Goes Out When You're In The Bathroom
My Local Library Has "Binge Boxes" In The Film Section
aaah that's a nice idea? During christmas my city library propose surprise wrapped boxes. You borrow a package with a music album, a book and a movie. The only information is the age category on it. Quite fun !
I Found Band-Aids For Different Skin Tones At Target
I never thought of band-aids as being colored for white people. Probably because they have never matched my skin color and I don't much care if they do or not. It's just a band-aid. However, if having different colored ones makes people happy then I am glad they are making them. Personally, I'd rather have the ones with cool designs like cars, dinosaurs, etc. :)
Which of the genius solutions featured in this list awed you the most, Pandas? Were there any that you were genuinely shocked to see? Were there ideas that you think you would have come up with yourselves? What everyday problems do you wish could be solved right now?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic, so if you have a moment, share them in the comments!
The Golf Balls At The Mini Golf On This Pier Are Biodegradable And Fall Into The Sea At The 18th Hole
This Airplane Seat Has A Step To Help Short People Reach The Overhead Locker
The Local Supermarket Has Its Own "Farm" Where They Grow Different Types Of Salads And Other Vegetables
This Pump Bottle Is Designed For You To Get As Much Out Of It As Possible
These Small Tents In A Store, To See What They Would Look Like In Full-Size
Nonsense, we all know that these tents are for cats and/or small dogs! XD
My Local Playground Has A Communication Board So Kids Can Interact And Play If They Are Deaf Or Can't Speak The Language
This Airport Has A Bathroom For Service Animals
These Shopping Carts Have A Compartment For Pets
I really love this idea, except neither of my dogs would fit XD (60-lb GSD mix and 50-lb 8-month-old Belgian Malinois)
This Tire Has A Tread Depth Measuring Built Into The Rubber
I remember back in the 90s there were tires that had green yellow and red stripes in the rubber that did exactly this but with color. Even better because they wrapped around the whole tire instead of just being in one spot.
My Town Has A Bike Pump Permanently Installed Next To The Bike Lock-Up Area
Sometimes you're riding and you just feel your tire is low. Experienced cyclists know when their tires don't feel right.
The Stalls At This Airport Have Green/Red Lights To Indicate If They're In Use Or Not
This Toilet Has A Separate Door For Children
This Sushi Restaurant Has Two Different Soaps For Before And After Eating
This Sticker Lets The Person Receiving This Cargo Know How Many Degrees It Was Tilted Based On Where The Green Beads Are
The Grocery Store I Went To Earlier Had A Special Escalator For Your Shopping Carts
We have travelators where the wheels of the trollies lock into the grooves Screenshot...996bca.png
The Local Blood Bank Has These Signs To Show How Much Blood They Have
Is this objective or relative to their need for that type of blood? Because O- is far more useful than, say, B+.
They Have A Bench With A USB Port At A Train Station In Rural France
My Gym's Vending Machine Organizes Water Based On Its Temperature
The Door Knob Is Higher At The Doctor’s Office To Prevent Kids From Escaping
This Allows You To Turn The Water On From The Outside So It Can Heat Up Without Splashing You With Cold Water
Australian Woolworths Supermarket Has A Quiet Hour With No Music For Those With Sensory Needs
Honestly I have been to a supermarket during sensory hour and all I could think was, if they CAN turn off all those wretched beeping noises and the horrible loud music, WHY ON EARTH DON'T THEY TURN IT ALL OFF PERMANENTLY??? 😭😭😭
After 3 Minutes In The Tourniquet, She Decided I Should Be The First Patient To Test Out The Vein Scanner My Hospital Bought Today. Here Are My Insides
That's pure fancy b******t. They try to convince my hospital to buy this but it's useless. As a nurse i can tell you seeing the veins is not the problem, you want to "feel it". This light only show you really tiny superficial veins. We were excited to try it but it's so disappointing.
My Computer Science University Has Vending Machines For Spare Parts
This Trekking Shoe Store Has A Test Area
There Is A 40-Story Building In Chicago That Functions As Its Own "You Are Here" Map Showing Its Exact Position In The City
My Vacuum Cleaner Filter Displays Taps When It's Wet After Cleaning, So You Know When It's Fully Dry
Oh My Gosh-Mine does too but I never knew what the heck that was for!!!
This Device Is Put On Your Car If You Don't Park Inside The Lines
It has a timer and a GPS tracker in it. You need to pay the fine to have it removed. The city charges you by the days it's been on your car, and if your bill accumulates too high, they can find you via the GPS.
My Pill Bottles Have A Reversible Lid That Can Screw On So You Don't Have To Use The Child-Proof Lock
This Nail Polish Comes With A Swatch Built Into The Cap
This Hole For Photographers At The Local Airport
My New Toaster Has "A Bit More" Button
This Coffee Shop Has Signs That Explains What's In Different Drinks
Malaysia Has Subway Cars Where Only Women Are Allowed
Sleep Pods Available For Rent In Beijing Airport
Mountain Finder Device On A Swiss Direction Sign. A Masterpiece Of Inventiveness
This Elevator In Japan Has An Emergency Toilet
I Got This Tool Meant To Hold Down Box Flaps For Packing In My Orders
Dressing Room Mirror Allows You To Adjust The Lighting, Type And Brightness
"Pay-As-You-Go" Carts Have Come To My City
My Toaster Has A Window To See How Toasted Your Bread Is
YOUR toaster has a window to see MY bread? There must be a better use for this kind of technology!
I need one of those. Saves popping it up every time it smells like it's done (my last 2 toasters were often temperamental, which shows high-cost brands don't necessarily mean high quality).
I found a toaster/toaster oven. The window allows you to see your bread. Best appliance I've ever found.
The Bar I'm Sitting At Has A Cold Metal Bar To Keep Your Drinks Cold
Heraklion Airport In Greece Has A Seed Vending Machine
I Can Snooze My Christmas Lights For 6, 8, Or 6,639 Hours
When pressing 6639H, it will enable the light for 6 hours, disable it for 6, enable it for 3, and disable it for 9 hours. It's meant to be pressed in the afternoon (e.g., at 5 PM), then the light will stay on until 11 PM, come back on at 5 AM, go out again at 8 AM, and repeat the cycle at 5 PM the next day. Also, the 8H and 6H buttons will repeat every 24 hours.
The Hydration Station In My University Dining Hall. They Change The Fruits Every Day
I don't think you're going to get much of that blueberry flavor, considering they're all intact.
My Local Gym Has This Kid's Area
The Entrance To This Public Bathroom In A Shopping Center Shows You How Many Stalls Are Available, The Wait Time (If Needed) And The Air Quality
how exactly does the timer work how do they know how long someone might take when pooping and what happens at the end of the wait time if your still in the stall does the door just open and an ejector seat shoots you of the toilet mid poop
My Japanese Work Boots Have Suction Cups On The Bottom For Walking On Ceramic Tiled Roofs
This Toilet Lid Has A Dedicated Section For Your Hand To Lift It
My Dishwasher Has A Spot Specifically For Chopsticks
A Friend’s Dentist Gives His Patients Homemade Deer Jerky To Encourage Flossing
The Airport In Seoul Has A Robot Which Will Carry Your Luggage To Your Gate For You
Plot twist: rogue robots infiltrate as a pickpocketing ring and bolt the moment you turn your back after loading your luggage.
This House Has Color-Coded Switches: Gray For Fans, Black For The Garbage Disposal
I like the pull chains in the shape of a fan or light bulb for ceiling fans(my wife thinks it's stupid, that you should remember
This McDonald's In Amsterdam Has A Microwave For Warming A Baby Bottle
The Charging Indicator On This Bus
Why not but it's useless for us, should only be useful for the driver no ?
This Cinema Has A M&M's Candy Machine, Where You Can Choose The Colors You Prefer
But they all taste the same. And you are watching movies in the dark. Someone please make this make sense.
Hydration Chart
Bench With Solar Panel And Two USB Ports
Don't they get hot (I'm sure they used that reason not to add them to cars)?
This Pencil Vending Machine At The Local Middle School
This Urinal At A Restaurant Has A Drain Below It For Catching Pee That Didn't Make It, And Also You Can Clean Bathroom With A Hose
My Local Coffee Shop Uses Pasta For Stirring Drinks
We Have A Vacuum System In The House, Where You Just Put A Long Hose On, And It Starts Sucking
These aren't new - were big in the 70s until things started get stuck inside them and you'd have to demolish whole walls to unblock them.
This Ice Alert That Turns Blue When It's Freezing
My Puzzle Has Letters On The Back To Check The Placement
This Cake Cutter Came With A Match To Light The Candles
This Hotel Shower Head Has A Temperature Display
My Local Library Has Cake Pans You Can Rent Out
This Bottle Of Tea Has The Flavor Stored In The Cap. According To The Bottle, It Keeps It Fresher
In Croatia, Cedevita has the same thing (Cedevita is very popular powder for making juice)
Volvo Car With Headlight Wipers
These Nail Rings That Let You See What Your Nails Would Look Like If You Painted Them
They Installed Wireless Chargers Integrated In The Tables In KFC (In Canada)
This Shopping Cart Has A Phone Holder At H-E-B Supermarket
Knowing me, I'd probably forget it afterwards (I don't use mine to scan-to-pay).
This Pickle Jar Came With A Scoop To Pull The Pickles Above The Juice
Our Local KFC Has The Sugar Syrup Separate From The Iced Tea
In The Process Of Installing 21 "Privacy Pods" At My Office Job
My Eco-Friendly Hotel Has A Timer In The Shower
This Storefront Uses Tinted Sheets Of Plastic To Show You What The Jacket Would Look Like In Different Colors
This Bar Has A Frozen Strip To Keep Your Beer Cold
You understand that stemmed glassware is purposefully designed so that heat from the base or stem doesn't transfer to the liquid, right? Glass is a very poor conductor.
McDonald's In China. Eat And Workout At The Same Time
This Bar I Went To Has A One Way Glass In The Bathroom
In China, They Have Women-Only Parking Spaces That Are Made Bigger
I wonder how many first-timers are asked if they know the drill?
Load More Replies...So many negative comments in this post! A lot of women haters on BP lately...
Was just going to say judging by the comments it seems alot of pandas had p!$$ in their cheerios this morning
Load More Replies...A really big list with some stupide stuff but overall very cool, lot of nice ideas ! Some things are just so simple and so cheap but really helpful !
Ok but what about the coat? Thats what we call clickbait and to be honest BP it makes feel feelings towards you. Can't pinpoint it. Not anger but more like gas pains in my nerves
That's not what clickbait is. The picture gets picked at random before the votes rearrange the order and cut off the bottom of the list. Your coat is probably among the original 110 pictures.
Load More Replies...Sad that you couldn't do most of these things in the states because they'd get vandalized or abused
Shut upppppp with this inane pessimistic whining about how everyone else except you is just inherently evil and destructive for no reason whatsoever and there's simply nothing to be done about it. Bunch of defeatists, the lot of you. Go make your society better and get to know your neighbors instead of crying on the internet!
Load More Replies...These are all so thoughtful, simple & practical. As am American, I haven't seen anything like this where I am but would love to see any one or all of these things. Except for maybe the doctors office door w/ the very high door handle. That seems slightly dangerous in case of an emergency
I wonder how many first-timers are asked if they know the drill?
Load More Replies...So many negative comments in this post! A lot of women haters on BP lately...
Was just going to say judging by the comments it seems alot of pandas had p!$$ in their cheerios this morning
Load More Replies...A really big list with some stupide stuff but overall very cool, lot of nice ideas ! Some things are just so simple and so cheap but really helpful !
Ok but what about the coat? Thats what we call clickbait and to be honest BP it makes feel feelings towards you. Can't pinpoint it. Not anger but more like gas pains in my nerves
That's not what clickbait is. The picture gets picked at random before the votes rearrange the order and cut off the bottom of the list. Your coat is probably among the original 110 pictures.
Load More Replies...Sad that you couldn't do most of these things in the states because they'd get vandalized or abused
Shut upppppp with this inane pessimistic whining about how everyone else except you is just inherently evil and destructive for no reason whatsoever and there's simply nothing to be done about it. Bunch of defeatists, the lot of you. Go make your society better and get to know your neighbors instead of crying on the internet!
Load More Replies...These are all so thoughtful, simple & practical. As am American, I haven't seen anything like this where I am but would love to see any one or all of these things. Except for maybe the doctors office door w/ the very high door handle. That seems slightly dangerous in case of an emergency