Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
The Opposite Of Design Fails: 50 Of The Most Brilliant Design Ideas That People Have Ever Shared In This Online Group (New Pics)
Some days it feels like the easiest way to go viral is to do something horribly. The internet loves poking fun at poorly designed stairs, terrible products, cake baking fails and certainly stupid things people have done. But every now and then, it might be nice to celebrate something that was actually done well. It may come as a surprise, but for every designer out there that you makes you question how they got their job in the first place, there is another one quietly creating masterpieces.
We found a subreddit dedicated to sharing “high quality images of interesting designs, including architectural, graphic, industrial, furniture & product design” and combed through their community to find some of our favorite pics. Enjoy this list of excellent designs that you might even deem “the opposite of crappy design”, and be sure to upvote the images that you find most satisfying and impressive. Then when you’ve finished this list, check out Bored Panda’s last publication on the same community right here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
This Wooden Owl Door From Copenhagen, Denmark, Was Created In 1930
There must be plenty of amazing designers out there, but for some reason, the worst ones tend to find their work circulating around the internet. So where are all of the skilled designers hiding? Sergey Krasotin, design director and co-founder of Humble Team, wrote a piece for Medium titled “Why is it so hard to hire a good designer — and how to get a great one” detailing how surprisingly difficult it can be to find designers that will blow your mind.
First, Sergey sets a baseline of what makes a “good designer”. He notes that having a good set of "hard skills" is a must for designers. “Great designers are able to apply the best methods and practices to any project, without having to reiterate over and over. That means using design sprints and customer journey maps when they’re needed, knowing how to do design research and building a prototype,” he writes.
#2
The Lost Class - The Agency Leo Burnett (Chicago) Held A Graduation Ceremony For The 3,044 Who Would Have Graduated This Year If They'd Not Been Killed In School By A Gunman
#3
Nasir Ol-Molk Mosque, Iran. Built In The 18th Century
Catherine Binder 2 years ago
Lots of westerners obsess over the beauty of cathedrals. Fair enough. I just think mosques are often underappreciated in their beauty.
Load More Replies...
Katy McMouse 2 years ago
This is arguably one of the most exquisite buildings of worship I have ever seen.
TonyTee 2 years ago (edited)
It's the most beautiful I've seen yet, I'm taken away by the colors. Mesmerized is what I am 😍😍😍
Load More Replies...
Anne Davis 2 years ago
I find it hard to believe that a loving God of any religion would want millions of moneys spent on building a structure like this in His name, when millions are living in and dying in abject poverty.
Pandasizing World Peace 2 years ago
God doesn't. It's man's own screwed up priorities that put money into lavish buildings.
Load More Replies...
Bobert Robertson 2 years ago
I imagine being on lsd there would be amazing, coming from someone who never has and never will try it. Though I also think that would be highly frowned upon
Ploploplop 2 years ago
As an American. I feel shame for what we did to Iran. It was so free and beautiful.
the shrimp whisperer 1 year ago (edited)
WHOA that is truly holy. not religious but if my parents had taken me to this place i mightve believed in SOMETHING 😍✨
Sheila Murphy 1 year ago
Try to imagine how long it took to set every little tile. Blows my mind!
Gordan Blažević 2 years ago
Historic Islamic art is one of the most beautiful things in the world. Shame it's tinted in peoples minds for being Islamic because of nowadays idiotic extremists...
Rise Schnurman 2 years ago
You know, each tile had to be set by hand, following a precise plan of colors and design. It boggles the mind how this could be accomplished.
Loraine D.G. MacGinness 2 years ago
They could charge for admission using THE MONEY to help their citizens !!
Jackie Reed 2 years ago
I have this on my architectural AND mosaic Pinterest boards.It's breathtaking,the colors and patterns and architectural design all masterpieces.
Shyla Clay 2 years ago
As beautiful as it is, I think it's too much. I think there should be plain areas as well, so the designs might stand out more. Of course, I could be wrong.
Tara Robinett 2 years ago
Beautiful doesn’t do this justice! I feel calmer just looking at it.
Robin Roper 2 years ago
It's a shame so few people can see this. I believe seeing it would help many understand the sophistication found in Iranian art and architecture.
Cherreka Wirth 2 years ago
A lot of mosques have beautiful mosaics. Even the ones dating back to a thousand years ago. IIRC from my religion class, in Islam its forbidden to portray Allah in art, so they learned to show their faith through abstraction. And man are they good at it. I love looking at Islamic artwork.
Kenny Kulbiski 2 years ago
How do you even imagine doing something like this let alone actually accomplishing it?
Pandasizing World Peace 2 years ago
I want to know how many people worked on this and for how long. The whole thing is mind boggling!
SoulSurfer 2 years ago
Decos like this are have been influenced by psychedelics for thousands of years. This is what you see in DMT and so many comments that even looking at this mesmerizing craftsmanship is blissful-you need to do some DMT.
Nimues Child 2 years ago
This is beautifully mesmerizing. I could stare at the ceiling all day!
Jaden Alexander 2 years ago
As stunning as this is, this picture does not even do it justice. To get the true beauty you really need to see a hi-def image of this.
Voodoops_13 2 years ago
Idolatry is condemned (but not prohibited) in the Qu'ran. God is unique and cannot be shown as a figure, but His words are Very important and are used heavily to decorate mosques in calligraphy.
Aamna Shah 2 years ago (edited)
That's not true. Your definition of idolatry must be very different but as a Muslim, I have to clarify that you're wrong about the first part. Idolatry is absolutely prohibited in Islam. Idolatry in the sense that a Muslim is worshipping anyone except Allah is strictly forbidden. That's the absolute foundation of Islam. The image shown here is not an example of idolatry. Islamic geometric art seeks its inspiration from the fact that the Quran states that Allah loves beauty so in His service these majestic expressions of art are created. Islam does not favour making statues of people but idolatry as in worship of anything except Allah is absolutely prohibited. Don't know where you came up with the 'Idolatry is condemned but not prohibited' claim as it's something not supported by the Quran or Islamic scholarship.
Load More Replies...Sergey goes on to say that excellent designers are proactive and responsible for product goals. They should not require hand-holding. The best designers constantly come up with new ideas and pitch suggestions to improve products. Some additional characteristics Sergey recommends looking for when hiring designers are people that are team players, solutions-focused, born creatives, self-organized and individuals with great communication skills. “So how hard could it be to find a proactive designer with hard skills? As it turns out, pretty difficult,” Sergey writes. “Not because there are none on the market right now, we’re honestly sure it’s quite the opposite. The reason is that the working environment really matters." He remains optimistic, though. "With great team management and a team structure, any new designer will thrive — whether they’re senior or junior.”
#5
A Well Designed Crossword
#6
Corner Desk
The first problem Sergey notes when designers don’t have a great set of hard skills is that no one ever pushed them to reach their full potential. He explains that designers cannot simply work alone and discover how to get better, they require guidance and mentorship. If they are pushed out of the metaphorical nest too soon, they might not learn how to fly. “Without someone there to point out their mistakes and make suggestions for how to improve, they’re never going to get better,” Sergey explains. “They can create a horrible design and get away with that. They can stay on the same level for years without getting any better and no one will notice. There is no authority, no critics, no movement.”
#7
This Dragon Bench, Carved From Wood...
#8
This Billboard To Raise Awareness About Stutter
#9
A Horrifying Cover From The New York Times
NsG 2 years ago
A similar repeated headline makes The Onion step away from satire with frightening regularity. I wish there was a solution that didn't involve firing every corporate lobbyist into the sun (if only because they're the only ones with the money for such a venture - hence the problem never going away).
Another problem product designers may encounter is being “marooned on their own in a product team”. Working on a team can be vital to keeping ideas fresh and innovative. Sometimes, two heads (or more) are just better than one. Being able to bounce ideas off of peers can go a long way, and it prevents one person from having to shoulder the weight of an entire team.
One designer who has been working solo in a product team for years wrote, “For the past few months, I’ve been working on an app for a plastic surgery clinic in Los Angeles. One of the app’s features is a direct chat between a doctor and a patient that allows them to exchange all the necessary information and prescriptions. And you know what? I’m building it all from scratch, from the ground, while a similar chat for collecting patient’s test data already exists, made by a guy who’s sitting one floor below me. He’s even done a user’s testing and fixed all the main bugs. And still, here I am, doing the same things over again.”
#10
Rain Vortex
#11
Poster By Polish Illustrator Paweł Jońca
#12
You Ever Been Snitched On By A Cardboard Box?
When designers start to become burnt out, they tend to take a horizontal shift in their career. Feeling frustrated with too much work on a product team or being tempted to think they have reached the peak of their field, they give up on any vertical growth and decide to do something else. While it is understandable to want to mix things up, this puts them at a disadvantage. By starting at the bottom of another branch, designers make it even harder to ever attain a more senior position. Sergey stresses the importance of having a mentor, not only to keep an eye on a designer’s work but also to help them navigate their career trajectory. Skilled designers often move into product management or analytics positions before they have had the opportunity to reach their full potential as a designer. Then we end up mocking the new designer's work online in a list of design fails...
#13
Subway Details In Sweden
#14
Conservation Awareness Poster
#15
Inclusive Picnic Table Design
When it comes to career opportunities for designers, graphic design is certainly a popular field. In the United States alone, there are currently about 175,000 graphic designers, and the industry continues to grow by about 1% annually. But as with any other industry, it is impossible to know exactly how it will be until you’ve entered the field. To help prepare aspiring graphic designers for their future careers, Brianna Flavin wrote a piece for Rasmussen University detailing all of the things she wished someone had told her before she became a graphic designer. The first thing Brianna notes is that boring work is just something graphic designers can expect. Another designer echoed this idea saying, “Being a professional graphic designer is just as much about working on tedious boring jobs as it is building cool brands that require lots of creativity. You aren’t always going to work on projects that are exciting and fun, but [less exciting work] is a huge part of the job that some find surprising at first.”
#16
Roman Pool, California
Alexandru Bucur 2 years ago (edited)
This would be the indoor pool at Hearst Castle, by architect Julia Morgan. She was amazing and was also the first woman to receive the American Institute of Architects’ highest award, the AIA Gold Medal, albeit posthumously in 2014.
#17
This Park Bench Can Fold Out Into A Table. All Park Bench Designers Can Stop What They’re Doing, We’ve Reached Elite-Park-Bench-Status
Kylie Mountain 2 years ago
But they forgot to make it really uncomfortable for homeless people to sleep on it! (Seriously, I hate hostile architecture; I think it demonstrates everything wrong with our society's attitude towards the most vulnerable people, and I'm glad this designer didn't include any.)
#18
This Amazing Door Design In Paris
Collaboration is apparently a very important aspect of graphic design as well. “It’s easy to feel possessive about your designs or your ideas; but when you are working as a graphic designer, collaborating with others is a huge part of the job,” Brianna writes. “There are always more variables to deal with when you add more people to the work you’re trying to do—but… teamwork can be a very gratifying part of the role.” Although not everyone is naturally a great team player, working together must be a full proof way to avoid ending up on any crappy design lists. With the input of several skilled designers, the end result of a project comes out as strong as possible.
#19
This Pro-Abortion Poster
#21
An Advertisement Using Pedestrians As Ticks On A Dog
No matter how skilled a graphic designer is, they are never going to be perfect for every project. That might be another reason designs sometimes fall flat. “I went into this field thinking that a great designer can create for anyone,” says Shavanna Pinder, a graphic designer at Geek Powered Studios. “When in reality, client and designer pairing is much like any other close relationship; styles, temperaments, and values should complement each other.” Similar to how every client has unique preferences for who cuts their hair, who manicures their lawn and what doctor they feel most comfortable with, clients must find a graphic designer who they really mesh with as well. “It’s better for everyone—and a lot more enjoyable—when you and the client are on the same wavelength,” says Shavanna.
#22
"Where's The Fifth Pig?" - World War II Anti-Hitler Poster Created In The Occupied Netherlands. When Folded Correctly, It Creates Face Of Hitler - The Fifth Pig
#23
Panda Bathroom Painting
#24
Fish Light
Another difficult aspect of being a graphic designer is that sometimes clients just don’t understand everything that the job entails. “I was surprised by unrealistic expectations from clients,” says Natalie Downey. “Whether it’s a shockingly low budget or an unreasonable deadline, be prepared to have a solution.” She explains that sometimes it is necessary to set boundaries with clients when they are asking for too much or demanding they pay too little. It can be frustrating to feel like you have to negotiate, but as the professional who is being hired for a gig and who understands the industry, the graphic designer is ultimately responsible for communicating effectively and reaching an agreement with their clients.
#25
This Great Use Of The Meta Logo
#26
Awesome Table Seemingly Coming Out Of The Floor
#27
Beautiful Concept Packaging For Honey By Maksim Arbuzov
Maybe it should not be shocking when we find excellent examples of design out in the world, but there’s nothing wrong with celebrating them. In fact, lists like this should encourage aspiring designers to continue working hard and to ignore any crappy designs they encounter online. You don't have to fall into the trap of horrible design! We hope you enjoy the rest of this satisfying and impressive list, and don’t forget to upvote the images that stand out the most to you. Then if you’re looking for even more examples of excellent design, check out this Bored Panda list next.
#28
Photo By @anniset & @drcuerda | Breast Cancer Awareness
#29
Anti Nazi Sticker In Berlin
Raven Sheridan 2 years ago
If the black hair was turned so it was horizontal, it would be an Anti-Chaplin sticker. 🤔
#30
In Toronto
Tiny Dynamine 2 years ago
I see someone filled in the gap, but the BP evangelists didn't censor it.
#31
Tulip Chairs
#32
This Lidl Lithuania Grocery Bag Promoting Paper Bags Over Plastic Ones
#33
Batman vs. Penguin – Hero & Villain Poster By Simon C Page
#34
Art Deco Door Brick And Wood
#35
What A Structure Of Building!
Ranger Kanootsen 2 years ago
That has to be one of the most gorgeous building designs I've ever seen!!
#36
This Little Farms Egg Logo
#37
This Unique 'Samurai Vodka' Bottle...
#38
Clever Design Incorporating A Fire Extinguisher At An Aquarium
#39
Cover Of Italian Magazine Internazionale
#40
Whitespace Under Letter M Outlines A Cat/Dog
#41
Found In A Clothing Store Dressing Room
#42
I Got A Unique Chess Set For My Birthday. Designed And Made By A Potter Friend. I Think They Are Stunning
The Panarchist (They/He) 2 years ago
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous! Does your friend sell these, by any chance?
#43
Our Local Library Has Books For Bench Legs And They're Titled As Famous Novels
#44
Kudos To Nabisco's New Pop-Open Boxes, Which Actually Let You Fit Your Hand Inside The Cracker Box For Once
#45
An Ashtray In Dubai
#46
The Coming Food Catastrophe
#47
20 Foot Tall Door Facade By Gabriel Schama
#48
This Poster Protesting Against The Beijing Winter Olympics
Aamna Shah 2 years ago (edited)
I absolutely support this but let's not kid ourselves. The western world isn't protesting because of China's crimes. They're protesting because China is a political adversary. People gripe a lot about politicians lying but they lie just as much. If crimes against humanity was what really motivated these protests, we'd have seen thousands of unending protests by Americans when their military bombed hospitals or when they used depleted uranium on innocent Iraqis or when they provided weapons to their allies and let them carpet bomb UN shelters and strike red cross ambulances. Instead, we saw their shrugged shoulders and disrespectful defences of the crimes so let's have some moral consistency here. Let's protest not just the crimes of those antagonistic to our own regimes but our own states as well.
#49
Mural Painted Upside Down For Reflection In Marijampole, Lithuania
![Tono Bathroom Designed By Foster&partners [1080x1080]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/62bec4992890c_wkxjswhstet71__700.jpg "Tono Bathroom Designed By Foster&partners [1080x1080]")
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Adam Zad 2 years ago
...and they're not "pro-life." They're pro-birth. After you've been born, they don't give a shift about you. You're on your own.
Load More Replies...
Alex Metslov 2 years ago
I'll be this a*****e. Dear author, the antonym of the word "failure" is the word "success".
Metallicd3ath 2 years ago
Well, you could say that, or you could say that a successful design is one you don't think about, in which case you shouldn't call these a success. up to opinion I think, but really I think they were just trying to say "it's the opposite of the design fail posts we also have here" while also avoiding using the name of the subreddit
Load More Replies...
Suzy Creamcheese 1 year ago
I see the anti-choicers are being generous with their downvotes. Oh, well, fúck 'em.
Richard Campbell 2 years ago
This entire thing was literally stolen from another website. Wish I could get paid to steal other people’s ideas. Anywhere else, this is called plagiarism.
Adam Zad 2 years ago
...and they're not "pro-life." They're pro-birth. After you've been born, they don't give a shift about you. You're on your own.
Load More Replies... Alex Metslov 2 years ago
I'll be this a*****e. Dear author, the antonym of the word "failure" is the word "success".
Metallicd3ath 2 years ago
Well, you could say that, or you could say that a successful design is one you don't think about, in which case you shouldn't call these a success. up to opinion I think, but really I think they were just trying to say "it's the opposite of the design fail posts we also have here" while also avoiding using the name of the subreddit
Load More Replies... Suzy Creamcheese 1 year ago
I see the anti-choicers are being generous with their downvotes. Oh, well, fúck 'em.
Richard Campbell 2 years ago
This entire thing was literally stolen from another website. Wish I could get paid to steal other people’s ideas. Anywhere else, this is called plagiarism.
You May Like “A Dope Space For Crocheters”: 30 People Share Their Best Crochet Art 50 Of The Best Snowman Designs Ever 117 Nail Art Ideas To Turn Your Nails Into Tiny Little Artworks
Ieva Pečiulytė
Miglė
Žydrūnė Trukanavičiūtė
Related on Bored Panda
