Some product designs have been around so long that we often take their convenience for granted. We all know that everyday items like keys or forks are designed with specific characteristics so that they can actually be practical in our day-to-day lives. But have you ever wondered how these same objects would look if they were intentionally created to make your life miserable?
If you're curious about such absurd design choices, look no further than the subreddit r/AwesomelyUseless. There, you'll find the finest collection of the most bizarre "upgrades" made by designers. While these creations may overall look great, they serve absolutely no practical purpose and might infuriate you instead. Reflecting on these useless items might lead us to consider how people with special needs might feel when faced with everyday objects that are difficult or even impossible to use.
So, next time you reach for a regular old fork or key, take a moment to appreciate the thought that some professional has put into designing it to make your life somewhat better.
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I’m Sure You’ve All Seen This Before, But I’m Posting It Anyway
"I bought some dehydrated water, but didn't know what to add" (Steven Wright)
If anyone is wondering about the history of this https://culinarylore.com/food-history:cans-of-bernard-dehydrated-water/
How do we know this wasn't made up by Obvious Plant's great grandfather or something.
Swear you can find a kid on tik tok raving about the benefits of dehydrated water.
reminds me of the cans of San Francisco authentic fog the tourist traps on Fisherman's Wharf used to sell
I bought some dehydrated water, but the instructions were in Spanish, which I can't read, so I was not able to reconstitute it. What a waste.
Dehydrated water is a "thing" in hard SciFi. Powdered - heat it and instant water.
It's concentrated cane sugar. Used to rehydrate people suffering from overheating.
Just Incase You Didn't Have Enough Trouble Finding Normal Golfballs
This Is Some Platform 9¾ Level Cycle Path
You Need A Trolley And An Owl To Get Off Of This Escalator
Make Your Baby Do The Cleaning
I've Been Wondering How I Should Rewind Dvd's All This Time
Post Not In Use
I Actually Really Want One Of These
Not Only Is This Useless, It Looks Like Even More Work
Oooh but I love the feel and sound of a typewriter so although useless I still want lol
This Has To Be A Joke Right?
What's The Point?
It's a 2-way mirror and the inside coating peeled off where they've put the sign.
Well Crap, There Goes My Dinner Plan!
This Picture Really Brings Light To One Of The Most Useless Gadgets Ever
The Sole Reason For These $425 Gold Pills Is To Make Your Excrement Glittery
I Thought I’d Seen It All... But Nope, USB Pet Rock
There’s One Key Flaw In This Design
This Sun Visor That Blocks Nothing
Stylish Diving Is The New Trend
I'm Sure It Has A Great View, But Good Luck Getting There!
I Bet They Made Some Serious Dough Selling These
Because Your Guinea Pigs Can't Go Around Looking Cute And Adorable!
No More Losing Remotes Down The Side Of The Couch
Perfect For On The Go Viewing When You're Out Of Data!
I Hope These Never Catch On
Take The Goldfish For A Walk
It’s A Dog Eat Dog World
Does This Offend Eastern Cultures Less?
I think that's actually really clever. Want to use chopsticks? Fine, use the ends. Need a spoon? Use the other end.
Picnic Pants
This Looks Like Something Only Lady Gaga Would Wear
Peel The Potato And Your Skin, 2 For 1!
I had one of these. There was a cover you put over the blade you weren't using that double as a handle. Very practical. I lost it in a move and still keep an eye out to see if I can find one.
Because Cracking An Egg Is So Difficult
No wonder the oceans are full of plastic waste... Who produces this bullshitt? And is there anyone of sane mind buying things like these?
Is This A Bowl Or A Spoon?
Good Luck Doing Any Sums That Involve 1's
What Could Be Cooler Than A Watermelon Coo... Oh Never Mind
This Door Doesn’t Even Lock
I Would Pay Good Money To Watch Someone Try And Water Their Garden With This
Lip-Stick This Thing In The Bin
You’d Wine A Lot About It If Someone Bought You This
yeah, we need to redesign glasses, because apparently people have been doing it wrong for millenias.
"Every Inch Matters"
You Can't Even Eat The Cone After
Cute... and... we all know that more than half of these are items that were created **specifically** for the purpose of looking like it could be useful, but upon closer inspection is ridiculous, right?? They're NOT actual you-can-buy-off-shelf items . I remember some of these circulating in a book back in the 90s... Japanese term is "Chindogu" - look it up.
A lot of these were from an artist who deliberately designed the most frustrating products possible
I think Katerina Kamprani's comedic design work has been misrepresented in this post. Check out TheUncomfortable.com
A lot of these photos are really, really old. The "new" comments don't really make them better.
crop, copy paste, crop copy paste. Many of these are from the dawn of the internet.
Load More Replies...Not going to lie, I think I've seen most of these on Wish or Temu. Bizarre.
So they weren't mostly designed as a joke/ art piece/ gag gift, etc? I think we should be told. I loved this article, I was fascinated but also confused!
Load More Replies...These all give me 5 Miniute crafts vibes and I hate that I love the stupidity of the stuff
Why read it if you don't like it? I love it, just dragging myself away now.
Load More Replies...Oh gods. Most of there are fake, never made, just for clicks. Many are also from gag gift boxes. You put the real gift in the gag box.
So was the picture on here just the picture from the gag box? Even if a joke or an art piece, I thought the picture was real. Am I being naive?
Load More Replies...Cute... and... we all know that more than half of these are items that were created **specifically** for the purpose of looking like it could be useful, but upon closer inspection is ridiculous, right?? They're NOT actual you-can-buy-off-shelf items . I remember some of these circulating in a book back in the 90s... Japanese term is "Chindogu" - look it up.
A lot of these were from an artist who deliberately designed the most frustrating products possible
I think Katerina Kamprani's comedic design work has been misrepresented in this post. Check out TheUncomfortable.com
A lot of these photos are really, really old. The "new" comments don't really make them better.
crop, copy paste, crop copy paste. Many of these are from the dawn of the internet.
Load More Replies...Not going to lie, I think I've seen most of these on Wish or Temu. Bizarre.
So they weren't mostly designed as a joke/ art piece/ gag gift, etc? I think we should be told. I loved this article, I was fascinated but also confused!
Load More Replies...These all give me 5 Miniute crafts vibes and I hate that I love the stupidity of the stuff
Why read it if you don't like it? I love it, just dragging myself away now.
Load More Replies...Oh gods. Most of there are fake, never made, just for clicks. Many are also from gag gift boxes. You put the real gift in the gag box.
So was the picture on here just the picture from the gag box? Even if a joke or an art piece, I thought the picture was real. Am I being naive?
Load More Replies...