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Ever had a moment where you looked at a product and thought, "What were they thinking?" You're not alone. We believe that we've all come across things that seem so poorly designed that you can't help but wonder if the people behind them ever gave their creations a test run.

While many of us have encountered products that leave us scratching our heads, wondering if anyone on the design team actually tried using them, it's a sentiment shared by countless. This issue caught the attention of Reddit user u/Stay-Thirsty, who posed an intriguing question on r/AskReddit: “What product was so poorly designed that you suspect the team that made it never used the product?” People from all over the internet began sharing their stories of design mistakes, and the frustration flowed in like a flood.

Keep reading to discover the wild responses that rolled in. We’ve also reached out to Chris Wilson, a product design expert, to get his take on some of the biggest design errors. Scroll down to read the whole interview!

#1

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Any sites with lots of text and ads in between. Scroll down, start reading, then the ad loads and your article shifts down a few inches. Go to click a link but suddenly the ad loads and you click that.

One of the biggest reasons I switched from iPhone to Android was so that I could use ad blockers on Firefox.

KerchBridgeSmoker , Ketut Subiyanto Report

#2

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Pockets on women’s clothing.

Tubbygoose , Marco Arment Report

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Blyss Blyssylb
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pockets on Women's clothing...What Pockets? Oh This? No, This is designed to only Look like I have pockets. These don't actually open so they can't be used as pockets...

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#3

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Any stove or car with touch screens instead of knobs and buttons.

pintolager , BoneDaddy.P7 Report

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

Touch screens. Period. Touch screens are a s**t UI in any context, and they have no business at all being installed in an unstable environment like a moving vehicle.

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Chris Wilson shared that he studied Product/Industrial Design as an undergraduate in London. “The university had excellent links with industry and the degree course centered heavily around real-life clients, from well-known companies and brands, setting genuine briefs.  There was always a real chance that what we were presenting to our clients may actually make it to production.”

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Today, Chris mainly teaches Product/Industrial Design. He makes easy-to-understand YouTube videos that explain advanced design techniques, helping thousands of people around the world. We suggest you visit his channel to pick up some useful design tips and tricks!

#4

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Baby wipes.

Hey, you know when a good time to struggle with opening a package that says it has perforations but really doesn't?

You want one? Here's a chunk of 20.

You want a bunch? Here's a tiny ripped corner.

You have 10 left on a trip and need to conserve? Too bad mother f****r, here's the rest of the pack. Get your tired a*s to CVS.

Miklay83 , Kim Love Report

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Arnaud
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You still had half of the wipes in the box? Look, my top cap popped open and everything is dry inside.

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#5

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Faucets that are so short that you can't fit both hands under them without touching the back of the sink. It's so infuriating how common this is. I have to contort my hands to use them.

Bonus: faucets (most common in public parks and such) that are push activated and last only one or two seconds. Clearly not designed for proper hand washing.

chewystalebread , madgerly Report

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Snorky The Pig
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What about sinks so tiny that you can't wash your face without causing a biblical deluge on your countertop???

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#6

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Any device that typically belongs in a bedroom that has an always on LED. I don’t need to see the LED at all times when I am sleeping.

Front-Two497 , generalising Report

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Vinny DaPooh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you don't have those lights how else am I going to be able to watch you sleep???

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Design plays a crucial role in our everyday lives, from the products we use to the spaces we call home and work. However, it's not always perfect, and even the most experienced designers can stumble upon design flaws. We were curious to hear about some of the most common design flaws Chris has come across in his career. “The flaw I see most regularly, and maybe it’s something I just can’t unsee anymore, is any feature that suggests it’s the work of a self-indulgent designer,” Chris told us. “When a product stands out from the crowd because of features that are of little benefit to the user, I’m left asking myself why they’re there at all. Some designers like to throw everything into their designs – but why? Usually, the answer is more about themselves than the client or end user.”

#7

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Those sliding shower doors with an overlapping section that is impossible to clean without taking the whole door off.

StillHera , Thank You (24 Millions ) Report

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#8

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread All of the «tear here» markings on coffee packs, juice cartons, etc., mark the strongest/most tear resistant part of the package.

toru_okada_4ever , ashleigh290 Report

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#9

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Cereal bags - why are they not zip lock yet?!?!

reallyfake2 , Melissa Hillier Report

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Francois
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just fold it, or use a clip or elastic band. No need for even more plastic.

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In the world of design, creating a product that works well and looks great is a true art form. But what are the most important factors that make a product well-designed? According to Chris, it’s simplicity. “Successful designs are those which are simple to manufacture, to understand and use, and to maintain. They have a minimal impact on the environment, in manufacture, in use, and beyond. A well-designed product makes someone’s life a little easier, without being at the expense of someone else. It may be a little cliché, but I always consider the key to be subtraction, rather than addition. Find ways to make your design more simple.”

#10

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Facebook. Used to be cool but now its 15 ads in a row and a rant from my friends friend from 3 weeks ago i already read a hundred times

hullutyokaveri , English106 Report

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#11

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Womens underwear. The part that is supposed to get dirty is never far enough forward to catch what its supposed to catch. 

NotThisAgain21 , Brandie Heinel Report

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Vervelende Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have no idea what they're talking about. Have been an underwear wearing woman all my life.

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#12

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread My dishwasher beeps several times loudly when the cycle is done. Loudly enough that you can hear it outside the house. If you don't open the door, it will beep again 45 minutes later, and every 45 minutes forever until you do so. There is no way to silence this feature or reduce the volume.

Apparently there's no such thing as starting the dishwasher at night and then going to bed in these designer's minds...

SloeMoe , Joanna Bourne author Report

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that one ace lesbian genderfae
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My family's just goes silent when it finishes and has the word "complete" on a little thing built in to the door

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Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's my Bosch washing machine. Beeps every minute for like ten minutes until it stops because it realises l'm not getting up to unload it. Also l tell it to bugger off a couple of times so it's a lot less temperamental these days.

Dilly Millandry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, but Fire Services recommend that you don't run dishwashers at night or if you are not at home. Can be a fire risk.

firecrackershrimp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd worry more about flooding. Never had a dishwasher catch in fire but I've had plenty spring leaks.

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DJR
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a dehumidifier that would beep loudly when the tank was full, which was always 4 hours into the kids sleeping. I otherwise liked it so I disassembled it to remove the beeper. Maybe I should open a shop providing beeper-removal service.

Robert T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine has a light that shines on the floor whilst it is running. When the light goes out, it is done. I really am a fan of the Sound Of Silence! :D

Space Yeti
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Option one: open it and remove the speaker or buzzer. Option two: find the sound hole (if there is one) and cover it with tape. Option three: s l e d g e h a m m e r

Ash Cash
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My whirlpool doesn't do this. It beeps once and then leaves a little led light on until you open it. That's it.

Jon Steensen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and why do it even need to do that? It is not like the plates are spoiled if they stay in the dishwasher a little longer. You can pretty much empty it whenever you feel like it, it doesn't have to be right when it finishes.

Carrie de Luka
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quite! I also know how long the programs I use last, so it's fairly simple to note when I need to go and empty it, if I was in a hurry to do so! Mine beeps once and then the button to indicate it is done lights up.

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robin aldrich
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Designer: "Let's t's make a really obnoxious household appliance." Fellow designer: "That's a great idea, let's go with that!"

Bernd Herbert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there has to be a setting that deactivates the sounds. Look into the manual

Debbie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree, my take in this is: RTFM before you start cutting wires or use hammers. And I don't mean the little leaflet/ quickstart guide, I mean the actual 40 page manual.

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CJ Vee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish all the appliances that make beeping or other alert sounds had a volume adjuster or an option to turn the sounds off. I’d like a little more peace and quiet

Debbie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most do but they do t have separate buttons. You need to work some magic with the existing buttons. Well, most big appliances do, small cheap ones probably not.

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Bad Alchemy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I own Schrödinger's dishwasher. The dishes are dirty/clean, and no matter if you ran the thing you never know until you open the door which state the dishes are truly in. Great science experiment; lousy kitchen appliance.

PunnyPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a stacked apt sized dryer in the bathroom off my bedroom. Buzzer was so loud, you could hear it three stories down. Lasted for a full 8 seconds and no off switch. When I came home with my first baby, I downloaded the wiring diagrams, opened it up and spent 2 hours figuring out which wire to pull to disable it. Totally worth it.

Timbob
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine makes no sounds at all, unless she burns her hands.

Ben
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I has that problem with my washing machine. It drove me mad so I just found and destroyed the little speaker lol

Zenozenobee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Specialy when the energy cost run up and you try to save money by running your machines at night...

Anyone-for-tea?
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I put mine on the delay timer, so it finishes just before I get up, then you can avoid the annoying beeps going through the night.

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AndersM
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My microwave does that s**t. And washing machine AND tumbler. Why????

iseefractals
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you read the manual (or look it up online) there is actually a way to disable that function. Because that actually did occur to the designers, unfortunately it didn't occur to them that consumers wouldn't check the manual to learn how to use all the functions and features of the machine they bought.

Debbie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you sure there is no way? My washing machine doesn't have a button for sound on/of either, but I could turn it off by sounds something with the regular buttons ( like press and hold button x for 10 seconds and then turn k**b y). What dishwasher so you have? (Yes, I want to look up the manual)

Linden
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish every beeping appliance had an easily accessible silent option. I hate all the beeps.

Alexej Dvorak
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The real fun starts, when somebody "outside the house" mistakes it for a fire/smoke alarm and calls the FD on you.

whiterabbit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have an old one with the turn dial, no beeps, no touch screens or anything digital, you can immediately tell when its done and it works like a charm.

devotedtodreams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really? Mine just beeps three times and then shuts up, thank God. I wonder how many decibels are registered when OP's dishwasher beeps...?

censorshipsucks
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

screwdriver...> open chassis -> locate speaker -> clip the red wire.

Viktor
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every dishwasher I’ve seen in the last 20 years had a (delay) timer. Just set it to finish shortly after you wake up. Then you also don’t have to deal with cold condensation water on top of your mugs.

Verena
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Egg cookers. Why can't they just said beep, no, it's the horns of Gondor, contiously, until you switch it off. Just switch yourself off... All of them are like this, no matter how expensive

JayWantsACat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents' dishwasher was loud as hell (it's was a really old model) so we always knew when it's done because the rumbling would stop. I guess I you REALLY needed to know when the dishwasher was done a beep would help. But to have beep until the heat death of the universe with no option to mute seems an insane design choice.

The Original Bruno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES!!! Of course, you did FANTASTIC isolating which of 300 beeping appliances beeped. When 300 appliances attempt to communicate God-knows-what by simply beeping every once in a while, what are we supposed to do????

Betty Walker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another design flaw, my sons new gas stove ( because parts were not available for his 12 yo stove). A SAFETY feature..lol..it will not work if the power is out. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Bunzilla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ours just beeps once when it's done. It's loud enough to hear a couple of rooms over, but not too bad.

Lori T Wisconsin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=18157#:~:text=To%20turn%20off%20the%20control,the%20end%20of%20the%20cycle.

DeoManus Argentem
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can you unplug or snip the wires to the speaker? I know it shouldn't be necessary, but could provide relief. I had a neighbor with an UPS that would beep so loudly when it lost main power ever so briefly that you could hear it across the parking lot - it persisted even after the mains were back until he reset it manually. It happened once when he was abroad for an extended period, and management had to call his friend with access to come over and reset it... Took him over a day... Then it happened again, but nobody wanted to wait, so we decided it needed to be silenced or disabled. He agreed (he couldn't not, without big fines and ultimate police entry), so I was able to just unplug the two pins on the speaker. No clue how his UPS performed after that (no hard resets after that till he got home)... But you can't terrorize a community with that nonsense!

Rebecca Murdoch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's become a thing in my house that we shout back at the dishwasher "God I'm Coming Hang On! Eesh so demanding" when it starts the beeps

Greg Sheldon
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our microwave does this. You can change it to where it doesn't beep, but unfortunately every time the power blips it defaults back to beeping LOUDLY every 30 seconds.

Justin Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never heard of that. All dw have a silent function. Maybe take the dishes out? Sheesh 1st world problems

Allison B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dryer has a similar loud buzzing/beeping sound it makes. It would often wake me up in the middle of the night since it would go off every 20 minutes. Luckily I found a way to turn it off!

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

Mine beeps out some sort of little song and then is quiet. I never would have thought a dishwasher would be musical. Btw, what are those things in the silverware basket that look like sticks?

Kathy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe the handles of wooden spoons or bamboo chopsticks... Something like that...

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Hphizzle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My washing machine’s beep is so quiet I miss it even when I’m like 10 feet from it.

TheOddPotater (she/her)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sheeeesh! gurl! this dishwasher needs to CALM DOWN. it’s being TOO LOUD.

BC
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe open it then?! And don’t put it on overnight.

John Dwyer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many people put it on overnight (including me) because we have half-price electricity between 0000 and 0600.

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Donkeywheel
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Just disconnect the buzzer.. Is it too hard to unscrew / rescrew a few parts if needed?

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

If it has to be deliberately broken in order to function in a reasonable fashion, it is by definition a bad design.

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When it comes to designing a new product, finding the right balance between looks, practicality, and ease of use can be a real challenge. Chris shared that it is always a careful mix. He emphasizes that design is often about finding a compromise. “I would put the needs of my client or end-user first and work closely with them to ensure that my ideas and their needs were in alignment. The successful designer will find ways to create an equilibrium.  Equilibrium doesn’t have to consist of equally sized parts for balance to be achieved.”

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#14

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread I had an automatic litter box that was fine for pee but the motor was way too weak to scoop poop and regularly got stuck. Also, poop tended to stick to the tines and make a big mess. I called the (small) company. The rep told me that the box design was tested using water and was never tested in a real life situation with real cats as no one there had a cat. She didn't understand why this was a problem.

MildredMay , Ewen Roberts Report

#15

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Toys that only have one volume: EXTREMELY LOUD!!!!

Whoever makes these does not have kids of their own.

agirl1313 , Nenad Stojkovic Report

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Arnaud
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My two sons had a few toys like this. One of them was a "sleeping box", the thing you put on the bedside table to make sounds and lights to help the kid fall asleep. One volume setting, yelling. This was deliciously ironic. I just soldered a resistor on one of the speaker wires and the problem was gone. Maybe I should create a "quiet module" with a variable resistor and two screw type terminals so everybody can do this without a soldering iron?

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If you’re an aspiring product designer, Chris has some advice for you to avoid common design pitfalls and create more user-friendly products. “Understand the needs of your client and/or end user. Recognize and ensure that the focus is squarely upon them and their needs, not on producing work for your portfolio. Be noticed for your ability to answer the brief and become recognized for the skillful simplicity of your designs.”

To learn more about product design, check out Chris’s work on Instagram and YouTube! You can also support him at buymeacoffee.com!

#16

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread The word "latinx" as a gender-neutral way to refer to Latinos.

Whoever came up with that nonsense had never even taken a Spanish 101 course. "Latinx" is simply unpronounceable in Spanish - even a 5yo speaker would know that - and the real gender neutral word would be "latine", but even that is very rarely used

Edit: stupid spelling

biggaybrian , Pixabay Report

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Vinny DaPooh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've yet to meet anyone of Latin American descent that uses latinx. Or even likes it. I've met plenty of virtue signaling Karen's that adore it though. Spanish (like other Romance languages) has a gender for everything including people. Don't like the one you were born with? Let me know and I'll use the other one for you. And yes, I'm of Spanish heritage.

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#17

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Sanitary pads

Especially ones advertised as "zero bunching" - they most certainly do bunch. They will go straight up your bum crack. They can only have been designed by someone who doesn't use them to have made that claim

ArcadiaRivea , Marco Verch Professional Report

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R Adams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ones that claim you can do allsorts and they don't move. I can walk out of the bathroom and it's already shifted.

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#18

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Pots with handles which get burning hot when you heat the pot.

Brukselles , Jernej Furman Report

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Ian Milne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s not a bad design. They’re designed so that they can also be put in an oven as well as the stove top.

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#19

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Software drivers for basically any HP printer made in the last three decades

ThadisJones , G B Report

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Roman Hans
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Hello, Hal. I'd print this for you but I'm sensing you bought the purple printer cartridge on eBay."

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#20

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Okay, bear with me here... all these grocery items in plastic that have a ziploc closer as well.

The idea is great! Open, use, reseal.

But in my experience (and I'm not exactly old and weak) these don't work as planned. Frequently they have the perforated section you can rip off, supposedly to allow access to the ziploc portion. Many times there's glue holding pieces together and the perforated section never seems to extend past that.

Even when not glued, the ziploc is apparently held together by the weak nuclear force and will NOT come apart. There's never enough plastic to pull on, and when there is it's approximately as strong as wet tissue paper. So it just rips.

IMHO the worst offenders are deli meats, but it's been tortillas and more that have flummoxed me. Far too often I just take scissors to the package and then 'seal' it later with a clothes pin.

jonrpatrick , maplegirlie Report

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SirWriteALot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And when you do get it open, after pouring out some content you can't close it back up because there's gunk in the zip

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#21

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread If you’re short and left handed, pretty much everything. Scissors. Grocery aisles. Kitchen cabinets. Pants. knives and forks. Over-the-stove microwave ovens. There is no end …

Ramscales , nishantcm Report

#22

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Kids bubbles where the container is a test tube with a rounded bottom so it can never be set down unless the cap is on

r_avocado , Tim Pierce Report

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Blyss Blyssylb
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah! WTF is that about? Oh, right...dso the liquid leaks out and you have to buy more! 😡🤬

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#23

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread The trunk wont open on some Chevrolet cars if the battery is dead. There is no key hole, or physical release cable.

The battery is in the trunk.

You can jump it from contacts under the hood, sure, but that’s such an odd design choice to me.

lurrk92 , dave_7 Report

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Boris Long-Johnson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

RHD Skoda Octavia mk3 - the backup key hole is in the opposite door to the bonnet release. The bonnet release that you need if your battery goes flat but for security reasons is blocked by the deadlocked door! Skodas actual procedure is to snap the handle off, use pliers and then buy a new handle from Skoda!

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#24

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Literally just printers in general. I’d be amazed if anyone here said they’ve had a printer thats always just cooperated and printed with no hassle. It’s always “no” ink, or can’t connect to printer, a jam, a power issue, simply not doing anything, etc.

Rising-Ark , rjp Report

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

Laser printer ftw! Prints around 1700 pages before needing a toner cartridge costing ~$50.

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#25

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread The newly-built ladies toilets in our office building which had no space for the sanitary products bins. The bins ended up awkwardly shoved into the too-small gap with the net result of making the actual toilets too narrow to sit on. Fully expect those dimensions were drawn and approved by someone who had no use for the bins or didn’t even know they were present in every toilet.

CherenkovLady , dirtyboxface Report

#26

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Dyson vacuum cleaners. They may be great if you live in a pristine, lovely house - but when it's an old house and you add 4 cats, a dog and 2 children it's a useless piece of c**p where the cleaning head needs to be de-clogged every 10 minutes. And you almost need to be an engineer to disassemble, clean and reassemble it. I hate that f*****g piece of trash and am very, very sorry that I sold my reliable old Hoover. I am positive that Dyson and whoever else was involved in creating this masterpiece has never actually had to clean a house. Sucking up pieces of styrofoam at the testing clinics is not a real world example.

Moos_Mumsy , Michael Aulia Report

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Boris Long-Johnson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You want a Henry! I refuse to buy dyson as mr dyson is a massive brexit supporting prick.

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#27

Some road intersections make me wonder if the engineers have actually ever driven a vehicle.

imdstuf Report

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Billy Harrelson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like the classic cloverleaf interchange. Sure it looks cool from the air, but I guess they never thought of people trying to merge off of one ramp while others are trying to merge on to another. I hate them. I spend more time making sure someone's not zipping down the ramp at 70+ mph so I can merge over in the 20 feet I have before I have to slow down.

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#28

The Apple Mac chargeable cordless mouse. Cos you can't use it while it's charging. Dumbasses

Solid-Actuator161 Report

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Sebastián Rodríguez
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever designed that is a genius: they force their costumers to buy two products instead of one. The dumbasses are the ones who buy it and keep calling it "innovation" while getting scammed.

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#29

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Made it and don't use it? The metaverse

theunclescrooge , Benoît Prieur Report

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Giles McArdell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

VR already had several decent social apps, Metaverse was late to the party and sooooo inferior.

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#30

I just bought a waterproof cargo bag for the roof of my car that was fairly expensive

The Velcro that keeps the zipper protected was just GLUED ON, not stitched

The very first time I opened the bag all the Velcro came off because the attraction to itself was stronger than the adhesive bond to the vinyl bag

It’s like there was absolutely zero product testing, but I’m sure it was 5 cents cheaper to make it glued rather than stitched. How could something like this have ever been allowed to leave the factory?

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Robert T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gluing is actually stronger than stitching if the right glue is used. Carbon fibre cars are glued togther rather as carbon fibre is weakened by holes - much the same as the plastic of the bag.

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#31

My new £1000 washing machine. Does a great job washing clothes and is all singing and all dancing. But all this additional stuff adds complexity and is an absolute bastard to clean. The detergent draw has all this fancy stuff my old didn’t and I just get so much mold growing. Have to take it all apart and clean it so often. It’s so annoying.

Edit: everyone telling me to ‘leave the drawer and door open’….yeah I get that. But that’s why I answered the original question. Stupid design that I have to leave the doors open when not in use. It’s dangerous (with kids and cats!) and it gets in the way. Stupid design

Dannysan5677 Report

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Paula
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Front loaders are a poorly designed washing machines. The mold is disgusting. I ripped out my counter top and replaced with a top loader. It's heaven and clothes get much cleaner as the tub actually fills with water. I can actually soak clothes if needed. And I don't miss the counter top - because I have a great washing machine now.

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#32

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Plant pots with non drainage although they look like they did.

Global_Fail_1943 , Lindsey Turner Report

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Sedona
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those are decorative pots. You're supposed to put the ugly plastic ones inside of them.

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#33

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread My new iron. Has a restart if you tip it over after it’s timed out. So if you accidentally leave it plugged it and it gets knocked over by accident (pet or child bumps the board, wind knocks something over knocking the iron over) it starts up while face down.

tangcameo , noricum Report

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#34

Bacon packages. Can I get a ziplock for it? I don’t want to eat 30 pieces of bacon in one sitting.

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#35

My kitchen trash can. It is one sold by Glad specifically for their bigger, extra strong 20 gallon trash bags. It is not particularly cheap.

It looks good, but the design of it is what you might expect if you told aliens what a trash can is and they designed one without ever seeing it. How it holds the bag basically causes you to lose 4 gallons of capacity and have to risk tearing the bag or spilling its contents every time you go to remove it. It also has a trash bag holder that is so narrow, you have to feed it trash bags one at a time, completely defeating the point. And if you try to compact the trash a bit, you're almost guaranteed to tear the "tear resistant" bag.

Such a poor design.

Edit: For everyone who keeps commenting about how I should recycle and compost... I do. That has nothing to do with my trashcan...

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#36

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Most of todays can openers.

OldMork , Didriks Report

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Fat Harry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I rarely need a can opener these days. Most tins in the UK have ringpulls, at least in my experience.

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#37

Most web sites, but for some reason especially those designed for use by elderly people such as medical sites and insurance.

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Billy Harrelson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like my son's Medicaid. Trying to view something and it pushed their app. Like you have no choice but to get the app. The app is essentially a web browser that shows the site exactly as it would on Safari, Chrome or Firefox!

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#38

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread The shift on a Nissan Pathfinder. Trying to get it into neutral is like a carnival game. Almost destroyed it trying to enter a car wash.

darth-skeletor , Stevan Sheets Report

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

Nissan SUVs have a plastic grommet on the shift linkage that wears out. Nissan wants you to buy a whole new linkage assembly, but a guy on ebay will sell you the grommet for $35.

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#39

My refrigerator has a water filter that cannot be changed without turning off the supply... Which is behind the refrigerator. So you have to pull the multi hundred pound fridge (with all the food and such) out to turn the water off before you can change the water filter.. The old Maytag it replaced had no such requirement.

brina_cd Report

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Vinny DaPooh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OR you can tunnel in from the other side of the wall behind it. Put a giant wooden frame around the hole and call it art

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#40

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread Cardboard tampon applicator

Sandwichlover7504 , tampax Report

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Jihana
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Less plastic waste. Never understood the need for an applicator anyway.

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#41

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread A lot of birdfeeders i buy are very poorly designed, the seeds get wet or they dont come out. I often wonder where these people live that do design them.

Fantastic-Pop-9122 , Jeffrey Report

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TheBlinkingDuck
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when the seeds gets wet, they clump up, making it impossible for the birds to get them to come out.

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#42

I wager that every coffin maker has never used one.

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#43

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread An app: Duolingo. The people who made it claimed they wanted to make an app that can get you to B2 CEFR level in your target language.

One of the creators used it AFTER the app was made (which is a bit sketchy) to learn Spanish. After he finished the course, a reporter asked him ¿Hablas español? (Do you speak Spanish?).

He couldn't understand what he was being asked and asked the reporter to repeat.

B2 level. Suuureee, Duo.

Ss_Weirdo , Esperluette Report

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Sebastián Rodríguez
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The app can be usefule to learn some basic vocabulary. But you definitely need to study the grammar with a teacher.

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#44

The current NHS system. I bet all the ones in charge have private health care.

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Rachknits
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is exactly their plan. Underfund it continually until its not fit for purpose making private the only alternative

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#45

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread That weird watermelon slicer tool. Broke the first time I used it.

Fluffydress , Lisa Sjolund Report

#46

3/4 of the cheese slicers and other cheese tools for sale.

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#47

The Bluetooth app connectivity for my washing machine (Didn't really want that feature, but it was a last minute substitution).


If the wash cycle takes longer than the initial estimate the start time changes rather than the time remaining estimate.


I just don't bother with the app.

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#48

American Refrigerators. They don't fit into your home unless you take the doors off?

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#49

Youtubes UI on their website

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Kira Okah
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So so much online UI right now is extremely accessibility unfriendly. I use a good few accessibility programs and modifications, and the sheer amount of times that I have to cripple readability and ask my partner to read the page for me is countless - because the UI blocks the content on zoom, font size increases don't properly scale, and none of the sites that do those two things ever work with my screen reader. Also, defaulting to mobile layout on desktop. Great, now I can't read your menus ad my screen reader throws a fit!

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#50

40 Designs That Are So Bad, They Deserve To Be Shamed In This Online Thread For actual physical products: all the kids toys that are made with small, detachable parts. Even sticking within age restrictions, a lot of toys aimed at boys can be unnecessarily dangerous. I also thought this could apply to video games, and I'm definitely choosing Pokémon Scarlet/Violet.

Bunnygirlbrynne , Les Chatfield Report

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Zedrapazia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why the Pokémon game? It doesn't have any small parts that could fall off ... Do they mean because it's buggy and laggy as hell?

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