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When designing a product, designers aim to make it functional and, if possible, visually appealing as well. But, let’s be real, that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes it feels like they just run with the first idea that pops into their head—whether it works or not!

Today, we’ve rounded up some truly awful designs from the internet to show you that just because something can be made, doesn’t mean it should be. These design fails are so bad, they even seem dangerous. Keep scrolling and prepare to cringe, Pandas!

#1

A Pop-Up In My Car Telling Me The Dangers Of Taking My Eyes Off The Road, Causes Me To Take My Eyes Off The Road

A Pop-Up In My Car Telling Me The Dangers Of Taking My Eyes Off The Road, Causes Me To Take My Eyes Off The Road

It literally came on whilst I was driving!

JakeTee Report

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Christopher Crockett
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever dreamed up the touch screen interface needs to be flogged repeatedly. Whoever thought these things should entirely replace all buttons and dials should be shot.

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In today’s competitive market, having a great product design can be quite beneficial for brands. With so many options available in the market, a well-designed product can help set a brand apart from the competition.

Imagine a washing cleaner for utensils that not only comes with better cleaning power but also features an ergonomic design that makes it easy to grip and maneuver. Or this product might incorporate eco-friendly ingredients, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.

In a crowded market, such thoughtful design can make all the difference, turning a simple cleaning product into a must-have kitchen essential.

#4

A Rental Car That Depends On You Having Cell Data To Be Able To Run

A Rental Car That Depends On You Having Cell Data To Be Able To Run

kari_paul Report

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#5

The Glass Globe Of This Light Focused The Sunlight Enough To Burn The Sun's Path Into The Grass

The Glass Globe Of This Light Focused The Sunlight Enough To Burn The Sun's Path Into The Grass

ExtraGooseGrease Report

#6

Car At The Bottom Is Flooded. Car At The Top Has Been Totalled

Car At The Bottom Is Flooded. Car At The Top Has Been Totalled

Due to flooding, water got into the mechanism and short circuited it. It raised the platform and this was the result.

Aoibh120 Report

It might seem obvious, but the first thing a good product needs is solid functionality. It should do what it’s meant to do. For instance, consider a blender. Its primary function is to mix and puree ingredients so that you can make smoothies, soups, or sauces. A high-quality blender should effortlessly blend things into a smooth consistency, without leaving chunks behind.

If the blender has a great design and comes in a variety of colors but fails to perform this basic task, then it’s not fulfilling its purpose. Regardless of how sleek or stylish it looks, people might hesitate to purchase it if it doesn't deliver on its promises.

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#8

Nothing Like The Smell Of Coffee And A Good Eye Stab In The Morning

Nothing Like The Smell Of Coffee And A Good Eye Stab In The Morning

CosmeBuzzanito Report

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Functionality is more than just getting the job done—it’s about doing it efficiently and easily. If a product is hard to use or overly complicated, people are more likely to walk away frustrated, which can lead to bad reviews.

#11

Bicycle Lane In Paris. The Two White Bumps Are Nearly Invisible Because Of The Paint Camouflaging Them

Bicycle Lane In Paris. The Two White Bumps Are Nearly Invisible Because Of The Paint Camouflaging Them

blacksun89 Report

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Max Robitzsch
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And they didn't prevent the asshat parking in the bike path 10m down the track, so failure all the way.

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#12

Our Municipality Finally Made Bike Lanes For Us

Our Municipality Finally Made Bike Lanes For Us

sarsina Report

Then, there’s the importance of durability. A well-designed product that lasts long not only pleases customers but is also better for the environment. Think of antiques or vintage cars; they’re still around because they were built to last. This kind of timeless design can make a product stand out.

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#16

My Cat Just Trapped Me In The Bathroom By Opening A Drawer

My Cat Just Trapped Me In The Bathroom By Opening A Drawer

LaztheFox Report

A product also needs to look good and create an emotional connection with users. A beautiful design can evoke feelings of pride, excitement, or satisfaction, and that’s where brand loyalty starts. People love products that make them feel good.

#17

Removing One Blade Will Definitely Make The Fan Work

Removing One Blade Will Definitely Make The Fan Work

DaNewestGurl Report

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UncleJohn3000
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fan was installed after the original tin room and before the windows. I hope they taped the switch down.

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#18

The Entrance To Our Apartment In Berlin

The Entrance To Our Apartment In Berlin

TurkMcGill Report

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Mrx Mrx
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't worry about your keys, the rats, spiders and possums will guard them with their lives.

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#21

I'm No Architect, But I Think The Design Needs More Bolts

I'm No Architect, But I Think The Design Needs More Bolts

mark_s Report

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Libstak
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are holes for plenty of bolts, the fitters are just lazy or cheap skates.

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However, with all the focus on appearance and usability, safety cannot be overlooked. Some products, despite looking good and functioning well, are dangerous because of design flaws.

Whether it’s faulty home appliances, toys, or even medical devices, defective products can lead to serious risks. These issues often arise from poor design, bad manufacturing, or lack of proper instructions and warnings.

#22

Stoplights In Lake Tahoe Filled With Snow Due To Not Having The Bottom Cut Out To Prevent Snow Accumulation

Stoplights In Lake Tahoe Filled With Snow Due To Not Having The Bottom Cut Out To Prevent Snow Accumulation

Worst_Username_Evar Report

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Aprl Fair
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LED lights don't get hot enough to melt the snow like the old incandescent ones did, a lot of places discover this when they swap them.

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#24

The Most Unsafe And Dangerous Design Feature I've Seen In A Hotel

The Most Unsafe And Dangerous Design Feature I've Seen In A Hotel

Rougmeister Report

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C L
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wasn't there a grampa that got in trouble on a cruise ship holding a kid up to a window like this & the shipping company didn't see a problem?

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It’s crucial for designers to prioritize safety during the development process, ensuring that products are not only attractive and functional but also free from inherent dangers. This holistic approach to product design not only builds consumer trust but also encourages brand loyalty.

#26

This Kid-Friendly Hand Sanitizer Package. Looks Like One Of Those Apple Sauce Things, No?

This Kid-Friendly Hand Sanitizer Package. Looks Like One Of Those Apple Sauce Things, No?

dank_memed Report

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Yellow dot
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, the fact that its a medical professional holding it tells me somethin' bad already happened with this one.

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In the end, great product design is about striking the perfect balance between functionality, aesthetics, usability, and safety. Which of these designs left you scratching your head? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this!

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#31

The Road Planners Must Really Hate Cyclists

The Road Planners Must Really Hate Cyclists

progopis Report

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Max Robitzsch
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why handing the design / build jobs to the cheapest bidder is bad. If your designers don't ride bikes and/or don't visit the site (because that costs money! especially when most of the work is outsourced overseas!)...

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#33

They Tried To Accommodate Blind People But Failed To See The Problem With This Design

They Tried To Accommodate Blind People But Failed To See The Problem With This Design

kerver2 Report

#35

I Hope The Electrician Knows The Sprinkler Schedule

I Hope The Electrician Knows The Sprinkler Schedule

Augustom11 Report

#37

This Is Just A Plastic Toy, And Not Candy

This Is Just A Plastic Toy, And Not Candy

cylemmulo Report

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Nimitz
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh good! Not only is it not candy, it's also a strangulation hazard. Fun for the whole family!

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#39

One Is A Toilet Cleaner, The Other Is For Washing Dishes. Choose Wisely

One Is A Toilet Cleaner, The Other Is For Washing Dishes. Choose Wisely

Jonlevy93 Report

#41

What Can Go Wrong If We Put The Power Button Next To The Most Used Key? Great Idea, HP Envy

What Can Go Wrong If We Put The Power Button Next To The Most Used Key? Great Idea, HP Envy

Sehrengiz Report

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Keller Worthen
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My school Chromebooks are made by HP and have a very similar button placement. If you double-tap the power button, the Chromebook turns off. Guess what happened during my ACT test...

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#42

This Bench. Where I Live It's Very Hot, And It's Impossible To Sit In This Park

This Bench. Where I Live It's Very Hot, And It's Impossible To Sit In This Park

RocketSmash9000 Report

#43

This Soldering Iron Has A Screw On The Handle Directly Connected To The Heat Source. It Was A Burning Surprise To Say The Least

This Soldering Iron Has A Screw On The Handle Directly Connected To The Heat Source. It Was A Burning Surprise To Say The Least

stim_jerling Report

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Nimitz
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, that looks like the cheapest soldering iron you could find so...

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#44

Cherry On Top Of The Road

Cherry On Top Of The Road

bdrnglm Report

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Justin Tyme
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG. I know a place where there is a huge electrical transformer in the middle of a street.

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#45

Because Who Cares About Fire Safety, Right?

Because Who Cares About Fire Safety, Right?

th3rstyle Report

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Passerby
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is actually a genius design. When there is a fire, the wooden board will burn away, revealing the exit. The fire exit can't be used until then. (I am just kidding, of course.)

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#50

Looks Really Safe

Looks Really Safe

Altruistic-Ferret835 Report

Note: this post originally had 80 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.