ADVERTISEMENT

They say that taste is all a matter of opinion, and we mostly agree with this. But let’s get real here for a moment—there are some specific things that objectively look truly awful, on a multiversal, multi-timeline scale. However, despite how tasteless the thing might look, we can still marvel at the amazing craftsmanship that went into making it.

Enter, the ‘Awful Taste But Great Execution’ subreddit. The ATBGE community is made up of over 1.6 million members and is dedicated to displaying “quality craftsmanship in the least elegant way possible.” From the merely tacky to the overwhelmingly gaudy, it has a little bit of everything, proving once and for all that a sense for aesthetics doesn’t necessarily have to overlap with the person’s creativity or skills. And the moderators are very proud of keeping a high bar for the type of content that gets posted on the subreddit.

Scroll down to check out some of the best recent ATBGE posts and upvote the pics which impressed you with the craftsmanship. Do you think some of these images don’t deserve the hate they get and you think the creators actually have amazing taste? Let us know in the comments.

Bored Panda was interested to learn more about taste and skill and the overlap between the two, so we reached out to talented pie artist Jessica Leigh Clark-Bojin, who recently published her new book, 'Pies Are Awesome: The Definitive Pie Art Book.' Jessica, who is both very skilled and has a great sense for aesthetics, told us how we can motivate ourselves to continue developing a new skill when we can't see the results that we want.

"One of my favorite Bart Simpson lines is, 'I wasn’t good at it right away, so I quit,'" she said referring to his very brief interest in playing guitar. "I always think about this when I struggle with something and I’m trying to motivate myself to continue. It is incredibly rare to be instantly talented when trying your hand at a new skill." Scroll down for our full interview with Jessica.

And if you’re in the mood for some more ATBGE ups and downs that’ll make your inner aesthete wince and your inner crafter smile, you can check out Bored Panda’s previous articles about the awesome subreddit here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

#1

Michelin Buddha

Michelin Buddha

rastroboy Report

Pie artist Jessica went into detail about how we can tell whether or not a certain skill is worth learning for us personally. "Sometimes, you find you 'have a bit of a knack' for something new, and even though you still have to work hard, you are able to find enjoyment, or that 'flow' state, a little more easily than others. This is usually an indication to me that the skill is worth investing the time and effort in, even if you don’t see professional-level results right away," she told Bored Panda.

"If it comes 'a little bit easier' to you than others, you'll probably be able to get to where you want to be if you keep at it. If, on the other hand, the work feels like banging your head against a board from day one, and you're just not having any fun at all, you may want to consider picking a different skill to cultivate!"

According to Jessica, how much taste and skill overlap depends a lot on the context, as well as the community that's actually judging whether something's tasteful or tasteless. The larger the community, the less subjective and niche the group's interpretations are likely to be.

ADVERTISEMENT
#2

Gingerbread Crack House

Gingerbread Crack House

shpritzie Report

#3

Was Told I Should Post My Drag Grinch Look Here

Was Told I Should Post My Drag Grinch Look Here

DrAnja Report

"In a small community with a narrow definition of 'taste,' the bar may be lower for the quality of 'tasteful content.' But if you are looking at the internet at large as your audience, for a group that size to predominantly agree something is 'tasteful' it is generally a pretty good indicator that the creator is at the top of their game," she explained to Bored Panda.

"And it makes sense—if you as a creator are exposed to a broader selection of content that is informing your sense of taste and your work, you are probably also exposed to a broader selection of skills and techniques executed at a high level."

The artist also added her insights about the type of content that gets posted on the 'Awful Taste But Great Execution' subreddit. "In the case of many of these posts, the creators are intentionally making a controversial, subversive statement, and likely don't intend their work to be taken as an expression of their refinement and taste!" she shared her opinion.

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

This Water-Like Epoxy Floor

This Water-Like Epoxy Floor

uni-versalis Report

#5

This "Pump-Kin" At My Ob/Gyn's Office.

This "Pump-Kin" At My Ob/Gyn's Office.

jenniferandjustlyso Report

#6

Slowly Bleeding Candle Hand

Slowly Bleeding Candle Hand

dilettantedebrah Report

A while back, Bored Panda spoke to Jonas Nyffenegger and Sébastien Mathys of the Ugly Design project on Instagram about aesthetics. They explained that beauty, in their opinion, is boring. Ugliness, meanwhile, is exciting, fresh, and captivating. And it definitely stands out in your social media feeds.

"As our love for ugliness keeps growing, the line between ugly and beauty is getting a bit blurred. It appears more and more of our followers have completely lost their taste. That’s a good thing. It means they’ll have to find it again. It will most likely be forever changed," they shared with us.

ADVERTISEMENT

“When seeing an ugly design rather than perfect aesthetics (as defined in the 21st century)—scrollers takes notice," they told Bored Panda that the key to getting attention is not being predictable. That way, content doesn't go stale.

#7

Sigh... *unzips*

Sigh... *unzips*

OlivesGoOnFingers Report

#8

This Stained Glass Car Sunroof

This Stained Glass Car Sunroof

Currynrice9728 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Shrek Car

Shrek Car

Bubbly_Hat Report

Previously, Bored Panda spoke to the ‘Awful Taste But Great Execution’ moderator team to learn more about the online community.

The founder of the entire subreddit explained that r/ATBGE was created as a spin-off of another subreddit. The mods of that particular subreddit kept rejecting ATBGE posts, so the moderator was inspired to create a separate community, a niche entirely for their vision of what the content should be like.

ADVERTISEMENT

“In the beginning, /r/ATBGE focused heavily on automotive-related posts, but we knew doing this would potentially limit our user base. To make /r/ATBGE more appealing to the masses, we opened up the subreddit to include things beyond autos (tattoos, fashion, décor, etc.),” the moderator told Bored Panda.

#10

Bauble Head?

Bauble Head?

TaLDoR_RuMBuX Report

#11

Pretzels Dipped In White Chocolate And Laid On Poppy Seeds Make Up This Delightfully Smoky Charcuterie Board

Pretzels Dipped In White Chocolate And Laid On Poppy Seeds Make Up This Delightfully Smoky Charcuterie Board

sfyjnkljc Report

#12

CVS Receipt Scarf

CVS Receipt Scarf

M3D1ATED Report

“As we grew, moderators were added and subreddit rules were further refined. Now we are here and things are still looking good. We continue to add new subscribers each day, which is a good thing (considering we all do this for free),” the mod said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The subreddit has amassed a whopping 1.6 million members since August 2016. And it seems like its growth isn’t stopping any time soon.

If you’re planning on being an awesome member of the community, you’ve got to keep r/ATBGE’s rules in mind. They’re nothing too fancy, but everyone needs to be reminded of the rules from time to time, whatever subreddit they might be a fan of.

#13

A Microscopic Toilet Created For A Micrograph Competiton And Yeah Won It

A Microscopic Toilet Created For A Micrograph Competiton And Yeah Won It

just_minutes_ago Report

#14

Car's Mater

Car's Mater

Successful-Milk-1720 Report

#15

A Bread Beanie

A Bread Beanie

treeshateorcs Report

In the case of ‘Awful Taste But Great Execution,’ naturally, the focus of the posts has to be on awful taste and great execution. When one of these crucial factors is missing, the entire point of the image is gone.

ADVERTISEMENT

“All posts must be of something exhibiting awful taste but great execution. If it does not display great execution it does not belong here. Great execution is defined as a work of quality craftsmanship,” the moderators write, adding that they will always remove any posts that are related to music videos and car wraps.

#16

This Cigarette Dispenser

This Cigarette Dispenser

RagingHomo_DaPenis Report

#17

This Plushie My Friend Brought To School Today

This Plushie My Friend Brought To School Today

shrombus3 Report

#18

This Haircut

This Haircut

Cr1ms0nSlayer Report

“Posts that are cute, funny, unique, or otherwise tasteful will be removed. Taste is highly subjective, so use your best judgment. Just because it is a tattoo does not mean it is awful taste. Do not post something you made or own,” the mod team explains, regarding the taste aspect of the pics.

ADVERTISEMENT

What’s more, the sub actually tries to minimize any hateful or overly critical comments that reach the creators of all of these tasteless projects. That’s why they ask people not to post any direct links to the creators and artists. That way, the subreddit can still have its fun while the creators don’t suffer backlash because some redditors simply couldn’t hold their tongues behind their teeth.

#19

Perfect For Aerating The Lawn

Perfect For Aerating The Lawn

xmastreee , caseykaplangallery Report

#20

Lovekraft Macaroni 'N' Cthulhu

Lovekraft Macaroni 'N' Cthulhu

BolsonaroIsACunt Report

#21

Beer Can That Turns Into A Christmas Tree Onrnament

Beer Can That Turns Into A Christmas Tree Onrnament

pouwerkerk Report

And speaking of (literally) tasteless things, sometimes it infects even food. For instance, in an interview with Bored Panda, writer Geraldine DeRuiter, who founded the Everywhereist blog, shared her thoughts about a horrible experience she had at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Italy. Some chefs forget that they're actually making food, so they hyperfocus on the aesthetics of the meals. The dishes might look impressive, but they're difficult to eat.

ADVERTISEMENT

"It’s honestly hard to pick the worst thing about this meal. It was a symphony of mistakes made by the kitchen. But honestly, the worst part? It was that the food didn’t even taste good and it was so, so expensive compared to other, wonderful meals we’ve had in Lecce," Geraldine shared with Bored Panda.

#22

Barber Has Skills But Wouldn't Want My Kid Walking Around With This

Barber Has Skills But Wouldn't Want My Kid Walking Around With This

MegaMindxXx , robtheoriginal Report

#23

Might Be Hard To Get The Vacuum Into All The Nooks And Crannies

Might Be Hard To Get The Vacuum Into All The Nooks And Crannies

caitazoid , just_goshan_ Report

#24

Custom Limousines By Jay Ohrberg

Custom Limousines By Jay Ohrberg

Mlliii Report

“I guess they’ve forgotten what it means to actually be a chef. They’ve let ego overtake everything else,” Geraldine shared her opinion on why some chefs sacrifice everything for the sake of aesthetics.

“I think that food can be so overworked and so far removed from its original source as to become pretentious, but when that happens fault obviously lies with the chef."

ADVERTISEMENT
#25

Everything About This Bathroom Says; "I'm Rich & Morbidly Disturbed."

Everything About This Bathroom Says; "I'm Rich & Morbidly Disturbed."

Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

#26

I See Your Denim Boots And Raise You Hiking Stilettos

I See Your Denim Boots And Raise You Hiking Stilettos

birdycrow Report

#27

This Armchair With A "Touch" Of Ussr

This Armchair With A "Touch" Of Ussr

FloX04 Report

#28

Lobster Flip Flops. 10/10 Would Wear

Lobster Flip Flops. 10/10 Would Wear

LydiaAgain Report

#29

Thanks, Now I Hate Eyes

Thanks, Now I Hate Eyes

Currynrice9728 Report

#30

One Sec, Let Me Grab My Laptop

One Sec, Let Me Grab My Laptop

rightcoastguy Report

#31

Car Ad That I Found

Car Ad That I Found

HalfDecentFarmer69 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#32

These $180 Denim Boots

These $180 Denim Boots

johnseri451 Report

#33

I Have A Skull. I Have A Pineapple. Huh Pineapple-Skull

I Have A Skull. I Have A Pineapple. Huh Pineapple-Skull

Supergerauddedinant Report

#34

What Is He Chasing After? Eggs?

What Is He Chasing After? Eggs?

LawyerMotor210 Report

#35

These Cow Stools, Complete With Udders

These Cow Stools, Complete With Udders

Oceana22 Report

#36

Next, Applying For A Heliport Code

Next, Applying For A Heliport Code

JohnnyTeardrop Report

#37

I've Bean Making Dice

I've Bean Making Dice

Nolencompany Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sophia Ramsey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

roll initiative. and while you're at it, make a constitution saving throw.

LJ Robinson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just checked, (you made me curious), and every Heinz product I have is spelled with a Z. If you go on their website, this exact picture is on there. Maybe it's different outside the U.S.?

Load More Replies...
Royal roomba
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like them. I would roll for how good the beans tasted and how well i cooked them!

Memere
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For Pandas wondering about the Heinz label, it is a real company, founded in 1869 in the U.S., by Henry J. Heinz. Here's a link if you want to know more: https://www.heinz.com/our-heritage

View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

My Friend Has This Ring With An Actual Used Glass Eye In It...

My Friend Has This Ring With An Actual Used Glass Eye In It...

Brojuha Report

#39

TV Cover

TV Cover

Thryloz Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#40

Creepy Hybrid Hand/Face Sculpture From Wellington, New Zealand

Creepy Hybrid Hand/Face Sculpture From Wellington, New Zealand

Uncle_Axel21 Report

#41

These Roasted Mackerels As A Groom And Wife

These Roasted Mackerels As A Groom And Wife

dan_sundberg Report

#42

All Her Art It Beautiful But This One Makes Me Laugh

All Her Art It Beautiful But This One Makes Me Laugh

boinkish Report

#43

I Don't Know How To Feel About This

I Don't Know How To Feel About This

DrathNur Report

#44

This Ornament

This Ornament

danistrangeton Report

#45

This Person’s Tattoo

This Person’s Tattoo

Floodbucket Report

#46

Rice On Your Clothes Is The Most Uncomfy Thing

Rice On Your Clothes Is The Most Uncomfy Thing

Dautletty Report

#47

"What Would You Like Grandma To Make You For Christmas? " Not This!

"What Would You Like Grandma To Make You For Christmas? " Not This!

YourBrainOnFacts Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#48

Worst Cross Over Ever!

Worst Cross Over Ever!

Romulus_Hex Report

#49

This Is Exactly The Lifesize Starving Beggar Lamp I Was Looking For.

This Is Exactly The Lifesize Starving Beggar Lamp I Was Looking For.

Smug_amoeba Report

#50

9/11 Tribute Float

9/11 Tribute Float

arithmetic Report

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#51

Florida Man

Florida Man

_johnald_ Report

#52

Tiny Hand Nail Design

Tiny Hand Nail Design

ewzoe Report

#53

Nice

Nice

Travellingjake Report

#54

Getting A Fresh Cut To Start The Year

Getting A Fresh Cut To Start The Year

dwrussell96 Report

#55

"I Don't Wanna Toot In My Own Horn..."

"I Don't Wanna Toot In My Own Horn..."

R-o-C-k-E-t_69 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#56

Zucchini Shoes

Zucchini Shoes

cry724 Report

#57

Balloon Bride

Balloon Bride

CrochetCrafterCat Report

#58

Moshi And Yario

Moshi And Yario

comments-yourestupid Report

#59

Metal Pirate Ship Lamp My Mom “Had” To Get At A Flea Market Because “It Was So Horrible”

Metal Pirate Ship Lamp My Mom “Had” To Get At A Flea Market Because “It Was So Horrible”

AsymptoticAbyss Report

#60

God Emperor Leto Atreides Enters The Chat...

God Emperor Leto Atreides Enters The Chat...

Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

#61

Last Supper Manicure

Last Supper Manicure

dilettantedebrah Report

#62

Boombin? Hope This Frickin' Thing Hasn't Been Posted Already

Boombin? Hope This Frickin' Thing Hasn't Been Posted Already

Caesar_Passing Report

#63

The Brass Knuckles Of Ronald

The Brass Knuckles Of Ronald

exarobibliologist Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#64

Stepmoms Casket. Never Seen Anything Like This

Stepmoms Casket. Never Seen Anything Like This

emmjaymax Report

#65

When There's Nothing Left In The Budget For The Kitchen

When There's Nothing Left In The Budget For The Kitchen

Browndog888 Report

#66

Don’t Have A Cow, Man! Or Have One… Permanently Across Your Whole Torso

Don’t Have A Cow, Man! Or Have One… Permanently Across Your Whole Torso

AloofAltruist Report

#67

Ugh

Ugh

AmirJeffrey Report

#68

Found This Gem On Facebook

Found This Gem On Facebook

techturner22 Report

#69

It’s Ugly Fight Me

It’s Ugly Fight Me

kartoshsalat Report

#70

This Mug

This Mug

daltonadkins15 Report

#71

Cube Croissant

Cube Croissant

Gilli_Glock Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#72

This Amazing Airport Carpet

This Amazing Airport Carpet

TyrranicalOverlord Report

#73

Why Use Your Driver On The Fairway When You Can Drive The Fairway?

Why Use Your Driver On The Fairway When You Can Drive The Fairway?

Illiubinati Report

#74

Little Princess Sasquatch

Little Princess Sasquatch

Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

#75

Wouldn't Drink...wouldn't Wear But Damn Good Execution

Wouldn't Drink...wouldn't Wear But Damn Good Execution

Needle2daGroove Report

#76

When You Can't Bring Your Actual Dog With You To The Store

When You Can't Bring Your Actual Dog With You To The Store

dilettantedebrah Report

#77

Keyboard Flip Flops

Keyboard Flip Flops

TooHigh2Die420 Report

#78

Grub Meatloaf & Grub Carrot Cake

Grub Meatloaf & Grub Carrot Cake

jonnytechno Report

#79

Picture On Tumblr With No Credit, Sadly

Picture On Tumblr With No Credit, Sadly

sxeoompaloompa Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#80

Female Toilet Entrance

Female Toilet Entrance

unk0wn8 Report

#81

Meat Manicure

Meat Manicure

dilettantedebrah Report

#82

Admirable Craftsmanship

Admirable Craftsmanship

xStormwitchx Report

#83

And They Used Just One Arm To Lay Him In A Manger, Because They Were Totally Jacked. And Yea, The Babe Was Also Completely Yolked -Luke 2:7 Probably

And They Used Just One Arm To Lay Him In A Manger, Because They Were Totally Jacked. And Yea, The Babe Was Also Completely Yolked -Luke 2:7 Probably

Zeugirdork Report

#84

This Seashell Kitten My Mom Loves Is Peak Atbge... Absolutely Horrifying

This Seashell Kitten My Mom Loves Is Peak Atbge... Absolutely Horrifying

yt_phivver Report

#85

Ew, David

Ew, David

Order_a_pizza Report

#86

Stance Shopping

Stance Shopping

CantaloupeCamper Report

#87

These Pokemon Remasters Are Perhaps Going A Bit Far

These Pokemon Remasters Are Perhaps Going A Bit Far

robaato72 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#88

Was Told To Post This Here! My Mom Bought A Massive Fur Blanket Made Exclusively From Roadkill

Was Told To Post This Here! My Mom Bought A Massive Fur Blanket Made Exclusively From Roadkill

LeopardDot Report

#89

Teeth For Holding Your Toothbrush

Teeth For Holding Your Toothbrush

dilettantedebrah Report

#90

Hairdryer That Looks Like A Magnum Revolver

Hairdryer That Looks Like A Magnum Revolver

BarryThecon Report

#91

I’m A Pipe Smoker And My Dentist Neighbor Decided To Make Me A Pipe...

I’m A Pipe Smoker And My Dentist Neighbor Decided To Make Me A Pipe...

Azmichael21 Report

#92

Found On Fb: Bdsm Tea Cup?

Found On Fb: Bdsm Tea Cup?

NickaMLRN Report

#93

Realistic Bread Clothing Line

Realistic Bread Clothing Line

Kdial2002 Report

#94

Red Solo Wine Glass

Red Solo Wine Glass

GatchaNoise Report

#95

Having Gold Chains In Place Of Having Hair

Having Gold Chains In Place Of Having Hair

RayZenz91 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#96

These High Heel Chucks

These High Heel Chucks

kentaki_cat Report

#97

Commando Crocs

Commando Crocs

DemoCahx Report

#98

This Is A Bathroom...

This Is A Bathroom...

n4pth4 Report

#99

Chicken Soup Popsicles

Chicken Soup Popsicles

WYLD_STALLYNS Report

#100

Boots Made From Psych Ward Grippy Socks

Boots Made From Psych Ward Grippy Socks

EpicDivorceTime Report

#101

Fashion Crash And Burn (Now Without Image Text)

Fashion Crash And Burn (Now Without Image Text)

pallepishus Report

#102

Snakeskin And Head Boots

Snakeskin And Head Boots

AltruisticMorph Report

#103

Air Fryer

Air Fryer

cappsy04 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#104

Two Eyes Aren't Enough

Two Eyes Aren't Enough

RagingHomo_DaPenis Report

#105

I Don't Even Know What To Say

I Don't Even Know What To Say

ElectronicRooster976 Report

#106

Buick Chadcrosse Spotted In Ohio!

Buick Chadcrosse Spotted In Ohio!

SuperS3xehBunnyGirl Report

Add photo comments
POST
#107

Give It A Name!

Give It A Name!

BobMcCully Report

#108

Whatever This Is

Whatever This Is

Silojm Report

#109

This Brass And Deer Leather Ringmail Shows A Little Too Much Skin For My Taste...

This Brass And Deer Leather Ringmail Shows A Little Too Much Skin For My Taste...

Dominarion Report

#110

I Like KFC Too, But Not This Much

I Like KFC Too, But Not This Much

dilettantedebrah Report

#111

Hands Up, Sucker

Hands Up, Sucker

tom_the_pilot Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#112

Guy In Our Town Won A Few Million In Lottery. He Decided To Plate His Hummer In 14k Gold

Guy In Our Town Won A Few Million In Lottery. He Decided To Plate His Hummer In 14k Gold

MStudley311 Report

#113

When Trauma Is On The Wishlist.

When Trauma Is On The Wishlist.

801-One-N-Done Report

#114

Pimple Nails

Pimple Nails

ewzoe Report

#115

A Better Than Average Antivaxx Tattoo

A Better Than Average Antivaxx Tattoo

CyXone Report

#116

Hideous Crocodile Shoes Giving Side Eye

Hideous Crocodile Shoes Giving Side Eye

SnapCrackleMom Report

#117

There's A 50/50 Chance I'm Going Back To Buy It

There's A 50/50 Chance I'm Going Back To Buy It

fishbethany Report

#118

This “Cute DIY Mask”

This “Cute DIY Mask”

The-Lying-Tree Report

#119

Drake The Kinda Guy To Cry When He Sees This

Drake The Kinda Guy To Cry When He Sees This

xzxi_sir Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#120

Definitely These. I Hate And Love How Realistic They Are

Definitely These. I Hate And Love How Realistic They Are

mayonnaiseprincess Report

Add photo comments
POST