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Designing a product or structure is more than just aesthetics. Functionality and safety are also prerequisites. Lack at least one of them and you have something that’s bound to fail, if not cause harm or injury, sooner or later.
These photos show what poor and dangerous designs look like. Just browsing through may make you think to yourself, “What was the person who came up with this thinking?”
If you’re a product designer or anyone tasked to ensure structural integrity, let these images be your stark reminder of what NOT to do.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Battery Acid Looks Like A Refreshing Bottle Of Water
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#2
Long Invisible Steps
#3
This Entrance Sign Looks Like A “Do Not Enter” Sign
Since we’re on the topic of design fails, here are some other famous ones, beginning with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. It received high praise for its dual-curved screen and 4GB of RAM, among other features.
However, its major design flaw was its battery system, which caused multiple overheating incidents, including fires and explosions.
#4
Hair Dye Which Looks Like Cereal Box
#5
Terrible Design For A Hand Gel I Got As A Freebie From A Rep
#6
Unbalanced Pan. Only Stands Correctly When There Is Weight In It - Pretty Annoying And Even Dangerous With Hot Oil
Hoverboards became a trend among young people in the mid-2010s. By 2015, these self-balancing scooters were ubiquitous and had become a must-have, driven in part by celebrity influence.
In 2023, approximately 25,000 Hover-1 Helix hoverboards were recalled. The reason: the lithium-ion battery was prone to overheating, and like the Galaxy Note 7, it posed a fire hazard.
#7
Been To This Guy’s Place Twice And Have On Multiple Occasions Fallen Victim To The Shin-Blaster 2000
#8
This Gardening Nutrient Mix That Looks Like Ketchup. It Even Says "Great Flavour"
#9
The Staircase At My Hotel Room Just Drops Off
When the Nap Nanny came out at the beginning of 2009, it was well on its way to becoming a breakthrough in putting babies to sleep. It included an inclined seat purported to help infants sleep better, particularly during car rides.
However, things took a tragic turn in 2010, when an infant lost its life due to positional asphyxia. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission immediately ordered a recall of 30,000 units after concluding that the recliners put children at risk for entrapment, suffocation, and fall hazards.
By 2014, the fatality count had risen to six, yet many parents continued to use it.
#10
This Black Lodge Floor Tiling That Supermarkets In My City Have Now
A certain supermarket chain went through rebranding and is now changing all floor tiling to this. Yes, this is on purpose. Yes, it being uneven is ALSO on purpose. All of this is outlined in a brand book. Basically, it's specifically designed to be uncomfortable to look at to draw shoppers' gaze to the shelves to increase sales. Guess what? They're about to lose sales because this gives me migraines.
#11
Why Put Meltable Plastics On A Thing That Gets Hot?
WindySwede 2 weeks ago
Same on the one here, but it has fiber-reinforced composit, and never had a problem • But is an Sievert
#12
A Bicycle Path In Belgium
Car enthusiasts will remember the Chevrolet Cobalt, the compact vehicle produced from 2005 to 2010. However, a major design defect in its ignition system put its drivers at significant risk.
The vehicle’s ignition reportedly turned off while driving because of the weight of a heavy key chain or when accidentally bumped by the driver’s knee. It causes a sudden stop, and the driver loses complete control of the vehicle.
General Motors issued a recall on 700,000 Chevy Cobalts, as the company discontinued its production soon after.
#13
Dangerous Design For A Surface Cleaner
winterwidow87 2 weeks ago (edited)
The EU has regulations that prevent things that aren't edible/drinkable from coming in a package that resembles food/drinks. Now i understand why.
#14
Slanted Table Front - Stuff Slides Off
#15
These Are Very Sharp, Very Adult Knives
Firestone is a known brand name for supposedly high-quality tires. That reputation was shattered in November 2000 when the company recalled 6.6 million tires.
It was found that the treads separated at high speeds and high temperatures, causing SUVs to roll over. Ford Explorers were most affected at the time, accounting for at least 174 fatalities and over 700 injuries.
#16
Been Stuck Sitting In This Horrid Chair All Afternoon
#17
So Is It Off Or Set To 60 Watts?
#18
This “Engineering Building” At My University Which Was So Poorly Designed It Was Deemed Unsafe For Use And Is Now Derelict
#19
This Door Handle’s Edges Are Sharp, So It Hurts Your Hand To Open
#20
The Entrance Of Possible End
#21
Accessibility Ramp At The Resort I’m Staying At In Mexico. There Are A Bunch Of Other Awful Ramps Around The Premises, But This Is Definitely The Worst One
#22
Roof Of University Building Intentionally Leaks Water And It Spatters Everywhere
#23
At What Point Do You Just Go "Ya Know What, It Isn't Worth The Open Floor Water Feature"
#24
This Is Elmer's Gue... Don't Eat It?
#25
The Hidden Danger Of A Pineapple Lamp
#26
These Traffic Light Designs Are Kind Of Dangerous
Taken in Subang outside of (what used to be) Damen USJ. You can see the green lights that aren’t meant for you. Maybe they should install some sort of shade to prevent the light from showing off to the sides.
Upstaged75 2 weeks ago
There one like that near where I live. It's under a bridge and has multiple green lights - but you can only see the one that's meant for you. Otherwise it would be chaos.
#27
My Local Park Benches Made Of Stainless Steel. Too Cold To Sit On In Winter, Too Hot To Sit On In Summer
Did I say that out loud? 2 weeks ago
Most likely designed to stop homeless people from sleeping on them.
#28
User-Friendly Pool Ladder
#29
This Unreasonably Dangerous Walkway
#30
Dangerous Step Downtown Merida, Mexico
#31
Straight Into The Sidewalk
#32
If I Drive Anywhere Between 3:00 Pm And Sunset I Get Blinded By My Cars Gearshift Surround
#33
The Door Stopper Is Lined Up Directly With The Handle Leading To Many Squished Fingers…
#34
Electric Charging Cables That Become Trip Wires When In Use
Nuku Nyara 2 weeks ago
They should have installed the electric chargers against the curb to the parking space and not across the sidewalk.
#35
What Could Go Wrong! (Btw It’s Pitch Black Until You Hit The Light Switch)
#36
This Diesel Conditioner Is Bottled Like Apple Juice
#37
These Stairs At My Cabin Vacation Feel Designed To
#38
Motion Activated Sanitizer Dispenser Next To A Door Leads To Permanently Soaked Floor
#39
This Bike Lane
Geoffrey Scott 2 weeks ago
Looks like the very verge of grass is the 'desire path' as the bike lane picks up next to the R turn lane.
#40
Child Electric Outlet Cover With Top Pin That Activates The Bottom Live Sockets Whilst Making Them Accessible
#41
Be Careful. This Is Just A Stretchy Gummy Toy. Not A Large Edible Candy. Technically They Say It On The Front Of You Look A Bit
#42
Stairway To Plumbing And Coax Cable Management Heaven
Don't listen to me 2 weeks ago
A problem with adding plumbing/ cabling into old narrow houses.
#43
Vaguely Dangerous Playground Slide
#44
This Toilet At The Hotel I Went To
#45
Slide In Estepona
WindySwede 2 weeks ago (edited)
Here is a YT link, allegedly close[d] appon opening,, link below
#46
Curb To Trip On Between The Sidewalk And Crosswalk
#47
Literal Hell For Budget Flyers.(Standing Seats)
#48
Sorry, What Am I Allowed To Do Between 3pm And 8pm?
Miracle Max 2 weeks ago
Between 3 and 8 you can turn right from the second lane, this one is not that difficult to understand.
#49
You Can't Drink Out Of This Bottle Without Hurting Your Nose
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What do you think ?
David Paterson 2 weeks ago
Normally when I see a list of "terrible designs" it's just a case of overreaction to a relatively normal design. Not in this case! These are genuinely terrible designs. Well done BP.
WindySwede 2 weeks ago
BP please use the real links under your pictures! Just for me to avoid going to twitter, facenook, or any other oage I dont want do visit! 🖖
Stardust she/her 2 weeks ago (edited)
Guess who found out the hard way that certain restaurants ought to mention the amount of caffeine per serving when advertising coffee flavoured things. For 9-10 hours I’ve been so jittery and anxious that I can’t sleep because of the overdosé
Reckesslyd1zzy 2 weeks ago
With the ones that are properly and clearly labelled packaging but just look like other products, maybe it'll do some good on our gene pool.
David Paterson 2 weeks ago
Normally when I see a list of "terrible designs" it's just a case of overreaction to a relatively normal design. Not in this case! These are genuinely terrible designs. Well done BP.
WindySwede 2 weeks ago
BP please use the real links under your pictures! Just for me to avoid going to twitter, facenook, or any other oage I dont want do visit! 🖖
Stardust she/her 2 weeks ago (edited)
Guess who found out the hard way that certain restaurants ought to mention the amount of caffeine per serving when advertising coffee flavoured things. For 9-10 hours I’ve been so jittery and anxious that I can’t sleep because of the overdosé
Reckesslyd1zzy 2 weeks ago
With the ones that are properly and clearly labelled packaging but just look like other products, maybe it'll do some good on our gene pool.
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