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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
4 weeks 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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    #2

    When Your Security Gate Is A Ladder

    When Your Security Gate Is A Ladder

    pcjcusaa1636 Report

    #3

    If You Ever Thought Kids Getting Hurt One At A Time Isn't Efficient Enough, Here's An Idea

    If You Ever Thought Kids Getting Hurt One At A Time Isn't Efficient Enough, Here's An Idea

    etthat Report

    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.

    #7

    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.

    #10

    A Banana Slide That Trains Your Determination. If You Get Lost, Your Crotch Will Die

    A Banana Slide That Trains Your Determination. If You Get Lost, Your Crotch Will Die

    DonnySRT-10 Report

    #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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    #13

    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
    4 weeks 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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    #15

    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

    #16

    The Outlet Is Less Than A Foot Away From The Shower And Is Inside The Curtain. Is This Safe?

    The Outlet Is Less Than A Foot Away From The Shower And Is Inside The Curtain. Is This Safe?

    Bigger-Chip 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.

    #18

    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
    4 weeks 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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    #19

    The Entrance To Our Apartment In Berlin

    The Entrance To Our Apartment In Berlin

    TurkMcGill Report

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    Mrx Mrx
    Community Member
    4 weeks 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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    #20

    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
    4 weeks 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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    #21

    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
    4 weeks 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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    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.

    #24

    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
    4 weeks 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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    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

    A Late Night Bathroom Emergency May Become A Real Trip To The Emergency Room

    A Late Night Bathroom Emergency May Become A Real Trip To The Emergency Room

    msnoodlecup Report

    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!

    #28

    This Back Road Near My House

    This Back Road Near My House

    esteban_agpa Report

    #29

    A Plastic Vent Cover For An Industrial-Strength Heater

    A Plastic Vent Cover For An Industrial-Strength Heater

    JohnnyCharles Report

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    #30

    New Windshield Completely Blocks Out Red Lights

    New Windshield Completely Blocks Out Red Lights

    Pielacine Report

    #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
    4 weeks 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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    #32

    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
    4 weeks 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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    #33

    I Hope The Electrician Knows The Sprinkler Schedule

    I Hope The Electrician Knows The Sprinkler Schedule

    Augustom11 Report

    #34

    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
    4 weeks 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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    #36

    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

    #37

    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

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

    "Look, code says it HAS to have handrails, AND it has to have directional tactiles. I was just doing what the code says. Anyway, I'm off."

    Giraffy Window
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The grid of dots just before the rail is a stop signal. It's the same tread texture that gets put at crossing points. The grid and track following the rail is also a newer installation. I assume they put the pathing all the way around because the railing wasn't always there.

    Sand Ers
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Let’s see. The corner of the wall on the left is new. The wall beyond the rail on the right is new. The dark grey guide tiles are new, as is the concrete they’re laid in. Except on this side of the rail where the tiles are cut into the existing pavement. The building itself looks pretty damned new. Anybody think that maybe, just maybe, this is new construction that isn’t even open yet, and that’s why the rail is still there?

    tee-lena
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The rail is permanent. They would not waste money putting it in then taking it out. I say this AS a wheelchair user. We see this all the time. In fact they did just like this on the corner near my house. They put it in and now a blind person will get cut in half. And if I'm going fast I miss the cut off and I get cut in half. It's so stupid! You can tell the designer is able bodied

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    G A
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone changed their mind (or lost it), and forgot the disabled access. Pretty shabby.

    Smitin
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This works as a controlled access point. The rail is preventing everyone from walking on the far side of it - not just blind people. There is nothing wrong with that.

    Verfin22
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I shouldn't have laughed. It's the thought that counts? I watch blind YouTubers, they would find this funny and also frustrating.

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    #38

    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

    #40

    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
    4 weeks 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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    #41

    I Can’t Be The Only One Who Thinks That This Looks Like Protein Powder

    I Can’t Be The Only One Who Thinks That This Looks Like Protein Powder

    wuzzle98 Report

    #42

    Because Who Cares About Fire Safety, Right?

    Because Who Cares About Fire Safety, Right?

    th3rstyle Report

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    Passerby
    Community Member
    4 weeks 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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    #43

    Almost Pulled A Michael Scott While Delivering Groceries Today

    Almost Pulled A Michael Scott While Delivering Groceries Today

    CrumpetLovin Report

    #44

    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
    4 weeks 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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    #45

    A Bench At A Metro Station

    A Bench At A Metro Station

    Ryuj1san Report

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    #46

    Stainless Steel Bench At The Beach. The Temperature Today Is 31°C

    Stainless Steel Bench At The Beach. The Temperature Today Is 31°C

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    #47

    Cherry On Top Of The Road

    Cherry On Top Of The Road

    bdrnglm Report

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    Justin Tyme
    Community Member
    4 weeks 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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    #48

    This Dangerous Bike Lane I Came Across While Biking

    This Dangerous Bike Lane I Came Across While Biking

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    #49

    This Power Plug Is Connected Exactly On The Opposite Side Of The Shower

    This Power Plug Is Connected Exactly On The Opposite Side Of The Shower

    demonic_eel Report

    #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.