Design is incredibly important—it’s often the key factor that draws potential customers in. Whether it’s buildings, signboards, clothing, product packaging, or services, getting the design right is crucial for growth. How many times have you chosen to buy something online simply because it looked better, even though a cheaper option that did the same thing was available but less appealing? Exactly! That’s the power of design. It’s often the look that captivates you, not necessarily what’s inside.
To create a standout design, the designer must have a highly creative mind, capable of thinking beyond current trends and producing something that feels fresh without being repetitive. It’s not an easy task, which is why design jobs tend to be some of the highest-paying out there. But that doesn’t mean you’ll always find great designs everywhere. Plenty of businesses don’t invest in good design, resulting in products that look downright awful or ridiculous. You’ve probably seen such poorly designed items in nearby stores—they’re more common than you think. Where there’s good design, there’s bound to be bad.
In fact, there are so many poorly designed products out there that an entire subreddit, “Crappy Design,” exists to showcase them. This Reddit community, founded in 2011, is dedicated to locating and sharing some of the worst designs from around the world, all in the name of making us laugh. With over 3.1 million members, you know the content is going to be… well, delightfully bad!
We took a deep dive into the subreddit and compiled three of the most disappointing design fails for you. Scroll down and prepare to shake your head!
1. I think it is a very bad idea to put a sculpture on your department’s roof that looks like a real person about to jump off.
Source: Cupfeet
2. They really did this spider-man toy dirty with that terrible eye gap.
Source: Krane4
3. What is wrong with this Peppa Pig pen’s eyes?
Source: mariajromerov
4. “Couldn’t figure out why I kept grabbing the wrong size out of the multipack box…then realized all 3 sizes come in all 3 colors!”
Source: facemymusic
5. The design of this baby play mat is just not right.
Source: Ray96598
6. They put the SOS button right where the flush button normally is.
Source: Affectionate_Cat293
7. No, that is not two people doing the naughty. The man has his helmet placed on his knee.
Source: rex138
8. What did they think when they were making this playground?
Source: MtmJM
9. They went for “Home” and tried to substitute the O with California’s map but it really just looks like an I making the whole word turn into a “Hime”.
Source: ahhh
10. The menu for 3 churros has the image of 7 churros. Why?
Source: lloverzo
11. I actually cannot believe my eyes right now. This is beyond stupid.
Source: KoldunMaster
12. The holes in this chair are closed. What were they trying to do, save all the dust and dirt?
Source: Jeswin31
13. Yeah, well done whoever put those lights right on top of the apartment numbers.
Source: -K-C-
14. This magazine by National Geographic that shares the dangers of plastic bag usage came in a plastic bag. The irony.
Source: dumbomb
15. What even is that top left sign? Don’t fart on pregnant women?
Source: brhiebner
16. This is the work of the devil. You cannot pass this platform without having your leg broken.
Source: Dis-Man-8
17. He purchased a shirt that had “Dope” written on it but unfortunately, those letters also make up the word “Pedo”.
Source: CursivePallet
18. The red tick is supposed to be a cross.
Source: lorenzotinzenzo
19. How are you supposed to bend over when the tools are in the pocket of the apron?
Source: minimum_thrust
20. At the Toronto Pearson Airport, if you look at the top sign the men’s bathroom is on the right but according to the wall it’s on the left.
Source: AdmHornblower
21. This light fixture has no room to grab the bulb. What happens when the bulb fuses?
Source: Titan_of_Time
22. There was a piece of paper inside that made it look like the block of cheese had mold spots.
Source: nakisa444
23. No one is ever going to that gym ever again.
Source: herashoka
24. Do they want me to die? Do they want me to drive dangerously? Do they want me to drive safely? What do they want me to do?
Source: chica420
25. Drink the tea and go blind at the same time.
Source: CosmeBuzzanito
26. I don’t think that’s how it works.
Source: SomeRandomPb
27. Half fish roll, half woman.
Source: Cream77
28. The sink is directly attached to the toilet. Anything you drop, there is no chance of saving it.
Source: batataqw89
29. That’s an O and then a zero, not two zeros.
Source: coconutgoat
30. Who thought this would look cool?
Source: Shiawase
