Sometimes, it feels like design decisions are made after a wild game of telephone. Join us on a tour of questionable logic, baffling mistakes, and well-intentioned blunders that leave us both confused and entertained. Here's a collection of oddball moments in design guaranteed to make you feel much better about your own choices.
“The backsplash my jerk grandma picked for her new house she's building”
Wow, this backsplash is definitely... bold. Is it reflective enough to see my future—or just my breakfast cereal staring back at me? Gran must've been in a 'go big or go home' mood. Hope the neighbors aren't blinded when the sun shines in.
“On the Mcdonalds’ monopoly game they removed the ‘go to jail’ character’s whistle but left his cheeks blowing.”
So, he's blowing a whistle... minus the whistle. Now it’s just aggressively pursed lips—and some questionable cheeks. Did someone sneeze during the design process and forget to add back the crucial detail?
“The place I’m staying has running water on top of a cabinet that doesn’t have a sink.”
Running water on top of a cabinet, seemingly intended for a surface that... doesn’t have a sink. Soap, towel, water—but nowhere to actually wash your hands. The trifecta of confusion.
“What could go wrong! (btw it’s pitch black until you hit the light switch)”
Flip a switch in pitch darkness—what could possibly go wrong? Hopefully, you don’t trip over your own feet before you find the light. The suspense is real, and so is my mild panic.
“Half of the dosage instructions for Persil washing powder are printed on the strip you tear off to open the box”
Nothing like tearing open your new washing powder and immediately losing half the instructions because they’re printed ON the part you rip off. Time to just wing it, I guess, and hope for the best suds-to-laundry ratio.
“Small gap in phones case, broke first time I dropped it”
Well, that was short-lived. One little gap in the phone case and drop #1 turns it into a kaleidoscope. So much for 'full protection'—bet my old sock would do just as well.
“Ritz’s Guide to a Serving Size”
Ritz’s take on serving size math is, apparently, crackers over actual numbers. 30g equals 8 crackers… which equals 0.5x times something, which equals 8 again? Somewhere, a math teacher is weeping.
“Lunchbox company uses a woman making juice to show their product is hand washable”
Want to know if this lunchbox is hand washable? Just look for a woman making juice next to it. Makes perfect sense, right? Coding icons must be really stressful if this is the result.
“Curb to trip on between the sidewalk and crosswalk.”
Nothing like a trip hazard strategically placed at the end of a nice, accessible sidewalk. Can someone please explain the logic here? Watch your step—this curb clearly wants to meet your kneecaps.
“Which way to temple 38? Or group F? Took me half a day to figure out that these signs are both pointing straight ahead.”
Which way to Temple 38? Or Group F? Good luck, because these signs point in the exact same direction and I’ve already lost half a day wandering around. Bring snacks—this pilgrimage is gonna be a long one.
“It's supposed to be JD Tur.”
Supposed to say JD Tur, but all I’m seeing is a rolling turd logo cruising down the street. Not the most confidence-inspiring branding out there. Sometimes, you just need a second set of eyes before you print the decals.
“Weird 90° power supply plug that doesn't have enough clearance to fit correctly into the intended outlets. Need to buy an extra cable to use it.”
A plug that’s bent at 90 degrees and doesn’t actually fit into the outlet without extra hardware. Well done, team. At least it’s an excuse to go accessory shopping.
“Innovative water trap disguised as public seating”
Well, that's one way to keep people from lingering. I was excited to sit down for a breather, but those puddles suggest this 'bench' is more water feature than public seating. I'll just stand, thanks. Innovative? Maybe. Comfortable and practical? Not even a little.