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We've all heard about crappy design, something that turns a blind eye to user-friendliness, logic and common sense, aesthetics, and people in general. We’re talking billboards, TV ads, product packaging and product design, websites and apps, you name it.

The phenomenon of crappy design is that no matter how much our marketing strategies and advertising techniques have evolved in the past decades, it still finds its place in our daily lives. Check out some examples of crappy design in Bored Panda’s previous features here, here and here.

This time, we are taking a step further. Sometimes the design is so annoying, senseless and defunct that it seems like the brands are doing this deliberately or at least without shame. There’s even a whole corner of reddit dedicated to cases “when a*** design things.”

With a whopping 2.9 million members, the community pokes fun at the mentality that “nothing comes before profit, especially not the consumer.” Below, we wrapped up some of the evilest designs, so let us know what you think of them in the comments!

#1

Ah Station Design

Ah Station Design

masteromatic Report

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

Cruelty. I was gonna make a comment about Tories, because they'd do this, but it's NYC.

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#3

Appstore For You

Appstore For You

reddit.com Report

Bad design can be found everywhere, from the products we use every day to the websites we visit. Poorly designed products can be difficult to use, causing us to waste time and energy. They can also be dangerous, as faulty product or packaging designs can lead to accidents.

Meanwhile, websites with bad design can be hard to navigate, preventing us from finding the information we need. They can also be visually unappealing, making us less likely to return. At the same time app can have a very bad user experience which means people will be reluctant to use it. From confusing navigation to cluttered layouts, anyone can spot a very poor design. 

#4

Brand New Protein Powder, Not Even Filled Half Whey

Brand New Protein Powder, Not Even Filled Half Whey

Furious_Flames Report

#6

Screw You Pinterest

Screw You Pinterest

Your content fills up and pollutes the search engine results yet people can’t even view your bulls**t user-submitted content without signing up for a damn account. Going to add to you to my Personal Blocklist so you don’t appear in my searches and waste my time anymore.

ZYn9Po4u Report

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

Pinterest is a cesspool. I found some of my facebook photos had been uploaded on pinterest. A girl (wannabe maker/influencer/scammer) reuploaded them with her watermark and used them as example of her creations. Had to subscribe to the website to report the images, and after weeks of waiting... nothing happened. Zero answers, support or even an automated mail. In the meanwhile those images were stolen by others and popped around for a while on other websites, mostly on ads of promoting scams. Stopped uploading my work anywhere.

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Jerk designs seem to take a step further than simply bad designs and come across as downright unethical and immoral. They snuck their way into the products and services we consume, and sometimes we don’t even notice them.

According to Danny Sapio, the lead product designer at Method and cofounder of Confettihabits.com, shrinkflation is a classic case of less product and more profit. “Companies use this tactic to discreetly sell less of a product at the same price that it was before.”

Moreover, Sapio argues that “companies can do this through labeling by displaying “FAMILY SIZE” or “PARTY SIZE” despite it being the same amount as the regular item.” For us, the unsuspecting shoppers, it’s something that’s really easy to miss.

#8

Hellofresh. If I Don’t Need To Call To Make Orders, I Shouldn’t Need To Call To Unsubscribe

Hellofresh. If I Don’t Need To Call To Make Orders, I Shouldn’t Need To Call To Unsubscribe

goldollazz Report

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Another great example of jer design practices is the use of lethal enforcers. They require the user to take the action that the company wants before they can do what they intend to do.

“Lethal enforcers are essentially a way that companies gatekeep the decision making for users. Instead of giving users a free choice, the company decides for the individual the decision that should be made then makes that their only choice,” Sapio explained.

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An example of a lethal enforcer is when you want to write a review on Yelp but have to download the brand’s app first. “Or when a company suppresses relevant search results to display sponsored products or content.”

#11

I Chose The Bottle Because A Tube Wasn't Enough! This Trojan Trickery Is An Abuse Coming From A Brand With Recognition

I Chose The Bottle Because A Tube Wasn't Enough! This Trojan Trickery Is An Abuse Coming From A Brand With Recognition

PoorGeno Report

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anubis1 avatar
Hippopotamuses
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well here’s a company that cares FA about both its customers and the environment.

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#12

Bought These Sticky Notes Cause I Thought The Gold Border Was Nice

Bought These Sticky Notes Cause I Thought The Gold Border Was Nice

KarmasDoll Report

Sapio also urges to look out for one of the trick questions known as the loaded questions. They take an advantage of our good nature. “We assume that we don’t need to read the entire question because we’ve already collected the information we need to answer it.”

#13

Natural Is A Trademark

Natural Is A Trademark

yaserafriend Report

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Another very shady design practice is throttling. “Throttling is when a company intentionally downgrades the service or product with the hopes that the customer upgrade. This is different than forced obsolescence because the product still works; it’s just much slower and shittier than it used to be,” the product designer explained.

It turns out that even giant brands like Apple have been found guilty of this. Apple has settled a class-action lawsuit over its practice of slowing down older iPhones, agreeing to pay up to $500 million to impacted consumers.

“Another example is ‘unlimited’ data providers that sneakily slow down internet speeds once they pass a certain threshold of data usage,” Sapio concluded.

#16

Youtuber Gets Every Single Video On His Channel Copyright Claimed Despite Having The Rights To All The Music In His Videos

Youtuber Gets Every Single Video On His Channel Copyright Claimed Despite Having The Rights To All The Music In His Videos

coolethanps2 , twitter.com Report

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

Similar to the lowfigirl channel, had the rights to the music on the channel and was overnight deleted on false copyright claims.

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#17

This Mcdonalds Menu

This Mcdonalds Menu

SkepticHQ , twitter.com Report

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

Just hold up the queue on purpose till the ad finishes, so you can choose what you want!

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#18

Both Weigh 500g But The Green One Is In A 30% "Bigger Bag More To Share"

Both Weigh 500g But The Green One Is In A 30% "Bigger Bag More To Share"

AApickleAA Report

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

Customer: it's a bigger bag with more chips. Company: no no, it's just a bigger bag

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#19

Cup Design That Makes The Drink Look Like It Has Actual Fruit

Cup Design That Makes The Drink Look Like It Has Actual Fruit

St-Paerikus Report

#20

Disney Leaves The Inside Of Their $6 Icecream Hollow

Disney Leaves The Inside Of Their $6 Icecream Hollow

ThatTheoGuy Report

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#22

Amazon Prime Video Doesn't Tell You If A Show Is Unavailable In Your Country Until After You Subscribe To Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime Video Doesn't Tell You If A Show Is Unavailable In Your Country Until After You Subscribe To Amazon Prime

Iescaunare Report

#23

This Design Pisses Me Off Every Single Day

This Design Pisses Me Off Every Single Day

tazzzzzzzz0 Report

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

One of the worst things about this is that the adapters I've found to be practically disposable. I've been through maybe 20 of them, tried every price range, and they all break within a month or so. Such a racket.

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#25

Spending $175 On A Textbook Only To Receive A 2 Inch Stack Of Unbound Papers. Binder Sold Separately!

Spending $175 On A Textbook Only To Receive A 2 Inch Stack Of Unbound Papers. Binder Sold Separately!

FrenchiToasti Report

#26

Dislikes Helped You Know If A Video Was A Scam, Misleading Or Had False Information

Dislikes Helped You Know If A Video Was A Scam, Misleading Or Had False Information

LeuxD Report

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

Read: We intend to continue to host questionable content as long as it generates revenue for us, and no, we’re not going be transparent about it, because that will obviously also affect our revenue.

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#28

Hey This Hotel Room Is Only $99 A Night, Great Deal!!!

Hey This Hotel Room Is Only $99 A Night, Great Deal!!!

TheNatureLover Report

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

They should have just said the hotel is FREE, then charge the $99 as a booking fee or something. Who wouldn't like a FREE hotel, eh?

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#29

They Replaced Half The Mirrors In My Local Shopping Mall's Bathroom With Advertising Boards!

They Replaced Half The Mirrors In My Local Shopping Mall's Bathroom With Advertising Boards!

BradleyZ17 Report

#30

Heard We Are Having A Rigged Democracy Binge

Heard We Are Having A Rigged Democracy Binge

twitch870 Report

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

This country is on the verge of collapse due to the rights compete demolition of the constitution, the rules of law not being applied to the rich, the powerful, and especially the "orange" and worshippers thereof. RIP American democracy

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#31

The Fact That You Can't Uninstall Facebook On Certain Phones

The Fact That You Can't Uninstall Facebook On Certain Phones

Dark_Inferno98 Report

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acey-ace16 avatar
Ace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bloatware has long been a feature on Android phones, with some major manufacturers like Samsung installing a lot of their own software on top of Android. At least allowing the app to be disabled allows the user to stop it from running automatically.

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#32

They Decided To Completely Cover Their Tenants' Windows With Ads Because Who Needs Natural Light And Fresh Air?

They Decided To Completely Cover Their Tenants' Windows With Ads Because Who Needs Natural Light And Fresh Air?

jadondrew Report

#33

My Work Place’s ‘Low Plastic, Recyclable Eco-Pens’ Have A Secret At Their Core

My Work Place’s ‘Low Plastic, Recyclable Eco-Pens’ Have A Secret At Their Core

dwarvencrap Report

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

The most important part about saving the planet is the illusion that you're helping. 😂

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#34

My Age Preferences Are There For A Reason, Tinder

My Age Preferences Are There For A Reason, Tinder

AppleSlize Report

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erinfish7 avatar
Erin Fish
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We want you to keep using our app so we lowered your standards for you. 😂

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#35

Keurig Sensor Blocks Your Brew Unless It's "K-Cup Compatible", Aka Has Scannable Foil. Slap On An Old Foil To A 3rd Party Cup And Suddenly No Issue

Keurig Sensor Blocks Your Brew Unless It's "K-Cup Compatible", Aka Has Scannable Foil. Slap On An Old Foil To A 3rd Party Cup And Suddenly No Issue

OfficialUNESCO Report

#37

My Chinese "Smart TV" Plays A 15 Second Chevrolete Commercial Every Time I Turn It On

My Chinese "Smart TV" Plays A 15 Second Chevrolete Commercial Every Time I Turn It On

MuayThai1985 Report

#38

Perfectly Fine Lighters With No Way To Refuel Them... Planned Obsolescence Is Asshole Design And Terrible For The Environment

Perfectly Fine Lighters With No Way To Refuel Them... Planned Obsolescence Is Asshole Design And Terrible For The Environment

redditUserError404 Report

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

You can jimmy them open, it's a basic bic lighter base inside. It's a disposable product though, not planned obsolescence.

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#39

As**ole School System Charging Kids For Lunch And Then Blaming Parents

As**ole School System Charging Kids For Lunch And Then Blaming Parents

quazziwazzi Report

#40

My Printer Just Did A Firmware Update And No Longer Recognizes My Third-Party Ink

My Printer Just Did A Firmware Update And No Longer Recognizes My Third-Party Ink

sumofty Report

#41

Shrinkflation Used By Cadbury To Literally Cut Corners. The Bottom Chocolate Bar Is More Than 8 Percent Smaller

Shrinkflation Used By Cadbury To Literally Cut Corners. The Bottom Chocolate Bar Is More Than 8 Percent Smaller

Flying_Dutchmen_13 Report

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

Mess with my sandwich, mess with my glue… BUT DO NOT MESS WITH MY CHOCOLATE

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#42

5$ Pen Size vs. Ink

5$ Pen Size vs. Ink

deleted-mayham Report

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

To be fair, this pen will be lost or broken way before it runs out of ink.

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#43

Designed For Dissuading The Homeless. Literally Just Uncomfortable For Everyone Else

Designed For Dissuading The Homeless. Literally Just Uncomfortable For Everyone Else

Machdame Report

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livivandervliet avatar
That other Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people do this stuff? Like, if you dont want people to sleep on the streets, there are infinitely better things to do

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#44

8% Alcohol Or

8% Alcohol Or

CucumberWizard Report

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

I had to look at this several times before I worked it out, super sneaky

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#45

Food Delivery Service That Tells You “Someone Is At The Door! Okay We Lied”

Food Delivery Service That Tells You “Someone Is At The Door! Okay We Lied”

kmartshoppr Report

#46

I Wish My Professors Graded Like This

I Wish My Professors Graded Like This

I_POST_ON_THE_DONALD Report

#47

Press Dismiss To Update This Printer

Press Dismiss To Update This Printer

disintegore , twitter.com Report

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Jo314129
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anytime I update anything, it completely messes everything up. I dismiss updates on everything for as long as possible.

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#48

Facebook, I'm Beyond Words

Facebook, I'm Beyond Words

Pinoy_Bro Report

#49

Tenerife Airport Shows Ads On The Flight Information Screens Every Few Minutes (For At Least A Minute), So If You're Unlucky You Have To Wait Before Knowing Which Gate To Go To

Tenerife Airport Shows Ads On The Flight Information Screens Every Few Minutes (For At Least A Minute), So If You're Unlucky You Have To Wait Before Knowing Which Gate To Go To

RealTechnician Report

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

An ad which tell you how important is to be at your gate on time?

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#50

F**k You Vegas

F**k You Vegas

Examotate Report

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