Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
There’s good design. There’s bad design. And we can usually intuitively tell the two apart just by looking at it. But wait! There’s also ‘design design,’ a really weird category that straddles the line between quality aesthetics and truly awful taste. Some designers just don’t know when to stop designing their designy designs and go way overboard. Are we starting to sound redundant and over-complicated? Good, now you’re getting it!
The best (worst?) of these ‘designy designs’ end up being shared on the r/DesignDesign subreddit, an intriguing online community that both celebrates and criticizes these errr VeRy InTeReStInG aNd ArTiStIc ideas for products and furniture. We’ve collected some of the most bizarre and original pics to share with you, Pandas.
Scroll down, upvote the designs that really had an impact on you, and if you love what you see, consider becoming a member of the subreddit.
Bored Panda reached out to Matt Johnson, Ph.D., the host of the Consumer Psychology Blog and the Human Nature Blog, for a few insights on the importance of finding the right balance between the designer's vision for their product, as well as what would appeal to consumers. He told us that, at its core, user experience is about empathy. Johnson is a professor of consumer psychology at Hult International Business School and Harvard University, and the author of 'Branding that Means Business.' Read on for our interview with him.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Wall Outlets With Extension Cords Built Into The Wall
RELATED:
#2
Stacked Seating At A Restaurant
#3
Hidden Fire Extinguishers
We were interested to learn more about the balance between what a designer wants from their product and what consumers look for. We asked Professor Johnson about what can help designers maintain a more grounded, user-friendly perspective.
"Ultimately, good UX is an act of empathy. You have to filter your creative vision for the product through the lens of the consumer’s needs, unique preferences, and tendencies. This means creating a balance between your own aspirations for the product (e.g. what you think it could be), and how it will intuitively seem to the end user (how the user will actually be used)," he explained to Bored Panda.
"Practically speaking, by inviting the consumer into the design process and getting feedback along the product development journey, the end result is much more likely to strike this balance." However, if there's only poor communication, you might end up with a disconnect between the two. Something that Piterskii-Punk-Wall accurately showed in their comic right over here.
#4
Found On The Designp**n Frontpage
#5
Ok I Think I Found The Ultimate Decanter. This One Keeps Me Awake At Night
#6
Drink The Rainbow
Johnson, the host of the 'Neuroscience Of' blog, told Bored Panda that the best and most beloved products integrate both perspectives: that of the designer, as well as of the consumer.
"If the balance is tilted too far in the direction of the creator’s vision, as opposed to the user’s intuition and needs, it comes off too much as a standalone work of art, and not as a functional product," he said.
"This feels immediately obvious to the consumer: it's something that reflects an idea from a specific individual, but lacks the necessary translation to the broader world. In a word, it feels too much like ‘art,’" the professor told Bored Panda. He noted that this is perfectly fine and valuable in its own context. However, when it comes to the world of consumer products, there's a necessity for this additional layer of consumer empathy.
#7
A Nature Inspired Bathroom
#8
Imagine Going Through All The Trouble Of Publishing Just To See This
Hippopotamuses 1 year ago (edited)
Frankly. I’m not sure whether you’ve been ripped off or not. (Edited: Changed ‘what her’ to ‘whether’)
Nicole Weymann 1 year ago
Reminds me of "The Beginners' Guide to Necromancy". Chapter 1: Correct Use of Shovel
Load More Replies...
Alien Ghost 1 year ago
If you are mad that you have been ripped off, remember to inhale and exhale
Pope Francis Official™ 1 year ago
New version: A guided hyperventilation for beginners
Load More Replies...
Mizzy 1 year ago
The only thing that angers me is the egregious use of paper. Otherwise, points for originality.
I Am LoKitty Of Meowsgard 1 year ago
Could use it as a meditation journal, track your progress or stuff.
Load More Replies...
I Am LoKitty Of Meowsgard 1 year ago
Could use it as a meditation journal.
Load More Replies...
juliy 1 year ago
i would die of high blood pressure if i paid for a book just for it to tell me to breathe
Precious Cooper 1 year ago
I have high blood pressure and I am struggling to keep it together 😂🤣😂🤣
Load More Replies...
Riley Quinn 1 year ago (edited)
This scam of a book deserves an immediate refund and a very bad review. The alternative: it's a great gag gift for someone.
I Am LoKitty Of Meowsgard 1 year ago
The book description states exactly what is in the book, it's not a scam. They clearly did not read the description, or reviews.
Load More Replies...
Der Kommissar 1 year ago
I bought a gag book called " What Men Know About Women ". Every page was blank.
Carlye Piparato 1 year ago
From Amazon: “Is this book serious or a joke? Yes. If the existence of this book causes someone to laugh, it will have fulfilled its purpose by bringing about a moment of genuine presence and joy. “
the shrimp whisperer 1 year ago
bruh 💀💀 you could have made a meme or something instead of wasting all that paper
Load More Replies...
Rupin Jeremiah 1 year ago
What happens when you exhale the last time and finish the book? How do I know when to inhale next?
Elizabeth Truss 1 year ago
Don't waste your time. It was way too long and repetitive.
Load More Replies...
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago
Well, I though this was a total joke, but it is actually true. I looked up the book on Amazon and here is the glorious description: Curious about meditation? This book teaches just how simple it can be to unlock this powerful tool into your life.This book contains one page of introduction, followed by 40 pages which simply say “Inhale.” “Exhale.”Is this book serious or a joke? Yes. If the existence of this book causes someone to laugh, it will have fulfilled its purpose by bringing about a moment of genuine presence and joy. It is also available as a serious tool for meditation by giving the reader a non-screen, physical object with which to focus their attention and fully dial into a deep meditative practice.
Official_MemeLord 1 year ago
and mellinials are freaking out saying the simplicity is quite immmaculate
Barbara Barnes 1 year ago
Should have requested your money back and a swift apology from the author.
Amanda 1 year ago
https://a.co/d/1zt9wut Listing says "gag gift" as one of the tags Description says...This book contains one page of introduction, followed by 40 pages which simply say “Inhale.” “Exhale.”Is this book serious or a joke? Yes. If the existence of this book causes someone to laugh, it will have fulfilled its purpose by bringing about a moment of genuine presence and joy. It is also available as a serious tool for meditation by giving the reader a non-screen, physical object with which to focus their attention and fully dial into a deep meditative practice. Basically they should have read what they were buying.
Kim Lorton 1 year ago
I would be highly pissed and if tjey refused to do anything free to fix it, i would sue the publishing house!
SalusFuturistics 1 year ago
Perfect Scam. Those Losers will probably even think it's brilliant.
DeeDee Borick Burlington 1 year ago
I would use it differently. I would write how I feel before 'inhale' and write how I feel after I 'exhale' Different each day
google slave 1 year ago
Which would cause me to explode. Great book. Anyone remember what "going postal" means?
Hagen Radcliffe 1 year ago
I think maybe it’s supposed to be a journal. Everybody calm the F. Down!
Mobey Drunk 1 year ago
That's what meditation is. The only thing missing is clear your mind of thought. However, some people over think and it's probably necessary 😜
Precious Cooper 1 year ago
I'm so sorry, but this is cracking me up!! Every time I stop laughing I think about it again and burst into giggles smfh🤣😂🤣😂
Elaine Harley 1 year ago
They admit they got it from Amazon but they didn't check the reviews? Right. 🤦♀️
Anon Ymous 1 year ago
Instantly asking for a refund, not cute or funny if it's not advertised that that's all it says inside.
Bad Alchemy 1 year ago
LOL! I just noticed the author's name. You know that's made up, to keep people who are sure they were ripped off from hunting him down and throttling a refund from him.
ForKINGAndCOUNTRY_FAN 1 year ago
This would not meditate me it would just make me madder? More mad? Anyways it does more harm than good for me.
I Am LoKitty Of Meowsgard 1 year ago
So I looked it up on Amazon, it is literally stated in the description that it is 40 pages that say inhale and exhale, the description says exactly what the book is. If this person is surprised they clearly did not read the description. Or the reviews. Anyway, I guess it would make a good journal, or something.
Mickysixxx 1 year ago
First page says "close eyes" you will never reach enlightenment if you skip the steps, your not meant to know what they say after page 1 l lol
StankleBerry 1 year ago
That's one of those scams where you get Amazon to print a book for you and not overhead to you until a unit is sold. Amazon has a pile of notebooks where people just grab a stock imagine and get it printed by Amazon as a cover for a notebook.
LuLuBelle 1 year ago
Unlike that book "Republicans Are Clearly Deranged Idiots" that has no words in it at all because obviously rank and file Republicans can't read. Or think, really.
Load More Replies...
frank behnsen 1 year ago
Zen buddhists’ humor? Or perhaps Yoko Ono’s latest work of minimalistic fluxus? I’d buy the book just for the fun of it.
#9
Swinging In The Conference Room
As we see it, there are two main issues at play here when we’re talking about designy designs, aka over-designed products. Both explain, at least in part, why some creative professionals go completely overboard.
The first is a question of theory vs. practice and how even the best-laid plans don’t necessarily translate into reality. The second is about the relationship between the designer and their (real or imagined) audience—aka the end-users and consumers.
You might have an utterly amazing idea for a product or piece of furniture in your mind. Maybe you’ve even sketched it out! But even though the concept looks amazing on paper, it might not be the best fit for consumers. Something that any creator would be terrified to learn only after launching the idea into the market.
#10
A Car Fender Bicycle
#11
Possibly One Of The Worst Staircases I've Ever Seen
#12
Door Knob Design That Gives You A Fish Eye View Of The Room Ahead
Maybe what you’ve come up with is more akin to art and is radically impractical to use every single day. Or the item is incredibly complex and unintuitive to the average shopper on the highstreet: something that you might not realize because you’ve spent so long on the design, you know it like the back of your hand. It’s a case of design short-sightedness where the professional can’t see the forest for the trees.
Meanwhile, the professional in charge of designing the product might be completely disconnected from their intended consumers. This might happen due to a lack of information on buying trends or because of less-than-stellar communication between them and their customers. That means that the designer is essentially stuck inside a bubble with only their own ideas to consider, with very little (if any!) outside feedback.
#13
Holy F**king S**t
Bored Retsuko 1 year ago
I don't see the problem. If this was mine, it would always look precisely like that! That's because I poop shiny little crystals. /jk
#14
No Way This Can Go Wrong
#15
Apartments In Amsterdam
Marcos Valencia 1 year ago
It will be beautiful when plants will start growing in the terraces.
However, another possible explanation for this disconnect between designers and consumers can be attributed to a more human factor. Namely, arrogance. It’s perfectly fine, even praiseworthy, that you’re confident about your work and that you feel pride in what you’ve achieved. Unfortunately, this can sometimes overshadow the end goal of what’s being sold, namely, that people want to buy and use what you’re offering.
Perhaps the creator feels like they have far better taste than the would-be buyers. So they want to ‘enlighten the masses’ (or something equally as pompous). Here’s the thing, though. Even if it’s a well-intentioned idea to want to educate people about good taste, there are different ways to go about it.
To put it mildly, it’s not the best idea to go about bragging to everyone how much more educated and intelligent you are while poking fun at them for being tasteless. However, when you come from a place of humility and a genuine desire to help, others are more open to what you have to say.
#16
Imagine What It Looks Like In Fall
#17
Another Silverware Set... Another Useless Spoon
#18
A Banana Slide That Trains Your Determination. If You Get Lost, Your Crotch Will Die
At the same time, no matter how successful and well-received a designer’s work might have been in the past, it doesn’t guarantee that their next idea will be good. Multi-functional furniture might not have the mass appeal that they hope it will, meaning it’ll remain a niche product for very niche buyers.
Similarly, even if your lovingly-crafted set of cutlery is pleasant to look at, it might be utterly atrocious to eat with, so you’re left with a decorative piece that very few people actually like.
#19
Injury Attorney’s Dream Staircase
#20
Just No
#21
This Is The New University Building Of Freiburg That At The Same Time Blinds The Road Traffic
The r/DesignDesign subreddit was founded a few years ago, in mid-July of 2018. Since then, they’ve amassed a following of 120k redditors. The moderators running the whole show stress the fact that the pics shared by the members of the community have to be, at the same time, examples of good and awful design. There should be a balance between the two.
#22
Found On Fb... I Can Hear This Image
#23
Books And Bath
Jeremy James 1 year ago
One minor earthquake and you'd die in the bath, crushed under an avalanche of books. Wait, can I request that?
#24
Let Me Just Find My Keys
Meanwhile, the mods also ask their members to avoid reposting other people’s photos too much. “Reposts are OK as long as the post hasn't been submitted in 6 months or more than 3 times,” they set out the rules. That way, the content’s kept fresher and it helps avoid people farming attention just for the sake of attention.
#25
A Balcony Without Sun Or Fresh Air Is Just A People Shelf
#26
Oh Yes, Reverse-Lamp
#27
These Would Be Awful To Use
Broadly speaking, taste might be subjective (e.g. preferences for minimalism or maximalism), but there are many things that we can agree on that do and don’t make much sense. If a product is user-friendly, ergonomic, intuitive to use, and matches our expectations, then we can say that it’s an example of good design.
#28
Just No
#29
For Me, The Juicy Salif Is The Pinnacle Of Design Design
Marcos Valencia 1 year ago
This is a Philippe Starck's design for the Italian brand Alessi, I have it, and I love it... And, if someone is wondering... Yes, I used it. And, yes, it's a total mess!
#30
This Hallway Must Have Looked Awesome On The Blueprints
On the flip side, something that’s more like a puzzle that requires an IQ of 160 to figure out won’t get many smiles from the crowd (unless they bought it specifically because they love over-designed, over-complicated stuff). Put the user first and you can’t go wrong. Put your designs above them and you might end up in the grey zone where quality and awful taste meet.
#31
Does This Count?
#32
Reinventing The Pint
#33
When You Want The Guarantee Of A Broken Neck From Your Staircase
#34
This Fire Pit That Doubles As A Side Table When You Tip All The Ash On The Floor
#35
Splash-Proof Urinals
#36
W Fart Free Water
#37
The Lucky Knot Bridge In China
#38
Why? Just Why?
#39
Thanks I Hate It
#40
A Bookshelf To Store Some Pebbles Or Something
#41
Because A Hat Would Be Far To Complicated
#42
This Sink. Spotted On A Facebook Ad
#43
A Maze Of Concentric Circles On The Back Of The Phone Fitting Its Earphones Perfectly
#44
This Luxurious Toilet
#45
Clocks
#46
Dear God I Just Needed To Pee
#47
Love Designy Cumbersome Roundware
#48
Saw This On Insta
Icecream Sarang 1 year ago
Oddly, if you know how to read a clock, they don’t even need numbers, so why bother?
#49
That Looks Comfortable
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Liz Clarke 1 year ago
I don't think any of the designers seem to know that disabled people exist. As an ambulatory wheelchair user/walking stick user loads of these would be a nightmare for me.
Tim 1 year ago
Many of them would be dangerous to 100% able bodied people too.
Load More Replies...
MongoMarcia 1 year ago
Regarding all the stairs: Do they not have building codes? They are death traps.
Dee Tag 1 year ago
I've reached the end!!! And I am absolutely mentally exhausted. I need a glass of wine.
Lindsey Morris 1 year ago
I think the majority of the first half of the list were awesome designs!
David Paterson 1 year ago
Love this BP thread. Great to see so many people thinking outside the box. So far outside the box that they fall off. Brilliant for claustrophobics, space saving, sometimes environmentally friendly. A great reminder that my designs aren't so weird after all.
Danish Susanne 1 year ago
Surely you didn't need all the fingers on that one hand?
Load More Replies...
Janet Howe 1 year ago
Going thru these was fun. However now I'm worried about the 2 hours of my life I'll never get back. But this was one of the better BP offerings.
TAYLOR SWIFT IS AWESOME 1 year ago
A few of the ones at the top were pretty cool! The rest, though….
isharamadhumal77 1 year ago
Smart home a to z https://comfortablelife4u.blogspot.com/2023/02/building-smart-home-a-to-z-guide.html
Liz Clarke 1 year ago
I don't think any of the designers seem to know that disabled people exist. As an ambulatory wheelchair user/walking stick user loads of these would be a nightmare for me.
Tim 1 year ago
Many of them would be dangerous to 100% able bodied people too.
Load More Replies... MongoMarcia 1 year ago
Regarding all the stairs: Do they not have building codes? They are death traps.
Dee Tag 1 year ago
I've reached the end!!! And I am absolutely mentally exhausted. I need a glass of wine.
Lindsey Morris 1 year ago
I think the majority of the first half of the list were awesome designs!
David Paterson 1 year ago
Love this BP thread. Great to see so many people thinking outside the box. So far outside the box that they fall off. Brilliant for claustrophobics, space saving, sometimes environmentally friendly. A great reminder that my designs aren't so weird after all.
Danish Susanne 1 year ago
Surely you didn't need all the fingers on that one hand?
Load More Replies... Janet Howe 1 year ago
Going thru these was fun. However now I'm worried about the 2 hours of my life I'll never get back. But this was one of the better BP offerings.
TAYLOR SWIFT IS AWESOME 1 year ago
A few of the ones at the top were pretty cool! The rest, though….
isharamadhumal77 1 year ago
Smart home a to z https://comfortablelife4u.blogspot.com/2023/02/building-smart-home-a-to-z-guide.html
Related on Bored Panda
