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We often find that some contemporary designs can feel boring and overdone—whether in product design, interior spaces, fashion, or other areas that seem increasingly uniform, aiming to please the widest audience possible.

Yet, amidst this sea of ordinary designs, there are still gems that stand out, even screaming for attention. The ‘Ugly Design’ Instagram page is one such place, curating a selection of the best of the worst designs found online. From fashion flops to bizarre products, the account ensures we get to see striking examples of the ugly, awkward, and sometimes downright creepy things that people have created.

More info: Instagram

We reached out to the person behind the ‘Ugly Design’ account to ask a few questions about moderating the page. We were curious about how it all started and if the admin remembers the very first post they shared on the profile. Here’s what we found out: “Our first post was a bathtub transformed into a sofa found at the design fair in Milan. Uglydesign started as a game between us. We never imagined that our passion for ugly would grow so big.”

When asked about the process of finding the best of the worst design flops online, the moderator explained that they’ve been searching for content for years, amassing a massive library of images to post on their page. They also added: “Today we mix posts between found content and submissions.”

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We were also curious about what the moderators believe "ugly" really means. Here’s what they told us: "We do not define ugly—we don't want to. Ugly design is curated content with an alternative aesthetic to the highly standardized, Instagrammable look. Some are ugly, some fail, and some are ‘uglycool.’

For us, suitable means funny and ugly."

#6

Meet The Quirky World Of "Ugly Design" On This Instagram Account With Over 800k Followers

uglydesign Report

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JL
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Must stink to have to start getting dressed a week before you have to leave.

Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Props to the seamstress who was able to line all of those button holes up.

Cassandra Croft
Community Member
1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My late mother would have loathed this as she just like the late Steve Jobs suffered badly from koumpounophobia which is the fear of buttons especially the four holed ones.

AKA AKA
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if it came with all of them done and you never undo any part from the top one this could work but it could be a bit ugly

mtn.dew.13
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eh. This is obviously inentional and most likely an artwork/ fashion project. Not a fail.

love
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is what happens when ur drunk and u thin "HEy i ShOULd MakE A ShIRt!"

Dawn Marie
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! My ADD and OCD will not allow this, My Anxiety was just raised 50%. UGGGGGG!!!!!

Shelley Dawson
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who makes their own clothes, I admire the skill involved in matching all those buttons up to those buttonholes. I think it's a work of skill and art! As someone who makes their own clothes, I am amazed at the skill and patience of the person who made this. I actually love it. .

Thalia Lovering
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like this, but I would keep it buttoned up and wear it as a blouse.

A Jones
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Buttons this once and I'll slip it on for the rest of it's life.

Zake
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I'm going to have sex with someone and they're wearing this and it's fully buttoned up, okay, just take off the pants or rip them open

David
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the level of hell where they send the folks with arthritis.

ILoveMySon
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine trying to get dressed in this after consuming a few cocktails.

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Finally, we wondered if any of the designs shared by the account had become the admin's personal favorite. The admin responded: “I think my last favorite post would be @ivanavladislava leopard pimped kitchen.”

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#32

Meet The Quirky World Of "Ugly Design" On This Instagram Account With Over 800k Followers

uglydesign Report

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PataSata
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know why this image is presented, on multiple sites, as something negative, or mistake, or in this case, ugly? Obviously it's deliberate, obviously they couldn't put the door at another place, and they used the unused door piece, as some art-like stuff, creating a weird interesting entrance to the room.

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#38

Meet The Quirky World Of "Ugly Design" On This Instagram Account With Over 800k Followers

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Regina Holt
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK. If you have an accident, you will worry about scraping yourself as you slide along, but now you have to worry about splinters?

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#40

Meet The Quirky World Of "Ugly Design" On This Instagram Account With Over 800k Followers

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arthbach
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not bad design. It could be described as a poor way to display merchandise, but the design is fine.

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#41

Meet The Quirky World Of "Ugly Design" On This Instagram Account With Over 800k Followers

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

Having grown up mostly in Texas I’ve seen virtually any object you can imagine in its shape. So this one’s a country. Eh.

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#56

Meet The Quirky World Of "Ugly Design" On This Instagram Account With Over 800k Followers

uglydesign Report

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Dolly_of TheCowboy
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not the first time I have seen this done when people could not afford a proper seat riser setup for a family member with a mobility issue

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