25+ Baffling Design Choices Found in the Wild (August 20, 2026)

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Aug 20, 2026 4:30 PM EDT

When a design goes wrong, who can we blame but ourselves?

Design is everywhere, and it's easy for it to fade into the background. When things go right, we tend not to notice it. But when things go wrong, it's all we can look at. Think of how design is all around you, even where you sit right now. Someone had to draft the plans for that chair, execute it, and find a way to sell it to whoever put it there. That's so many decisions that had to go into one object, one that we likely take for granted. This isn't our fault; it's just good design. Good design seems inevitable, like it always existed, even though a human very much had to think it up. This list, though, is not a list of "good design." It's a list of designs that have gone very, horribly wrong. The choices made here did not equal something great. There were a lot of question marks involved. Things went to production without being properly checked. The designs, for lack of a better word, failed. I suggest, though, that instead of decrying these poor decisions, we should celebrate them. We should celebrate them through laughter. Which is exactly what we're here to do today.

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  • 01

    I'm suddenly getting dizzy

    Cheezburger Image 10657389312
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 02

    You know what it is already we don't need to say

    What did the icon mean? Itself, duh! 4 plaritronics
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 03

    Only adults under the age of 18 please

    ZONA SOLO ADULTOS CONLY ADULTS AREA <18
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 04

    I bet this is worth money or something

    Having a printed on 'sticker' that you can't remove promoting a movie that came out 3 years ago on a book. JUNGER GAMES THE HALLAD OF THE SONGBIRDS SNAKES SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE THE HUNGER GAMES SUZANNE COLLINS
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 05

    Wait I'm confused on what I have to do

    PUL HL PUSH
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 06

    Ahhh, a classic situation

    Throwing beach balls at the smelly man
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 07

    What are you trying to tell me?

    HOUS B R E O EADF HT 100 12:12 108 ОСА ЎСТАЗНТ ИТ
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 08

    Where do I go please?

    Which toilet should each gender go in? Found in the St. Dennis Cathedral in Paris. .<-
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 09

    Slow Mind, That Child

    Stop Farm Jolls SOFT WHIP CREAM ALL EVENTS CATERED FOR SLUSH SLUSH SLUSH Tel: 0778881 8885 SLOW MIND THAT CHILD Electric Powered Icecream BIL 4281
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 10

    We are absolutely done

    WE DONE સોરીયાસીસી, ALBERTA FIRST
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 11

    But where am I actually?

    Each blue dot is a "You are here" on the evacuation chart. ARINA BEACH RESORY . EXEAIATPAMMA AIAOYTHE EVACUATION PLAN EVAKUIERUNGSPLAN - MEPBITOKAPHOW SE30NACHOCTM > SPEKEZTE EAD YOU ARE HERE BM3300 OGEYHARITIE EXT AUSCAN BUXOR AUSGANGSSCHILD выход ZYNATIONE SYPKANAL FIRE ALARM BOX FE 11 FEVERMELDER TOKAPYAR TYPOMETIPAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER FEUERLOSCHER OFNETHBITER ПРОВЕСТИИ Всли FIRE HOSE REEL FEVERLOSCHAUSAOSTUNG DONAPHUR MAN YPOENITINGE TAONGE FIRE STATION LOSCHICHLAUCH ПОЖАРНАЯ СТАНЦИЯ DOZYTKEN
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 12

    I'm skipping to the bold part sorry

    NG Goodwins Life is too short to EAT BLAND FOOD. THE DELICIOUS
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 13

    Mixed messages crazy style

    YAMUNA EXPRESSWAY DOWN DRINK AND DRIVE
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 14

    I see what you were going for but...

    PLEASE HELP KEEP BOSTON JAZZ FREE BOSTON JAZZ FES BJF BEST OF JAZZ THE SCAN QR CODE TO SUPPORT BOSTON JAZZ FEST
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 15

    Accidents waiting to happen

    ABIKE GS LANE
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 16

    Least comfortable armrests ever

    Cheezburger Image 10657391104
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 17

    Someone went crazy on Microsoft Word

    Employees Must Wash Their Hands Hand washing steps Wet your hands with clean running water. Apply soap and rub your han together for at least 20 seconds. K Rinse your hands until all the soap is gone. Turn off the faucet with a pape towel or your elbow. Before Returning To Work Dry your hands with a clean paper towel or hand towel.
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 18

    Don't take the bunny's head off

    The Early Start Learning Center
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 19

    Love the P Verson

    LOVE THE P++ VERSON
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 20

    Am I supposed to bike here?

    5535 M
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 21

    Most treacherous bathroom

    Cheezburger Image 10657392896
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 22

    Why is the outline of the letters like that?

    FIM'S BICE CREAM Panana Split Cakes Dises F Malts Staken Snooties Sanda O Ice Cream
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 23

    Not a great sign for a bank

    This local bank's logo looks like it reads "in debt" LAS BANK&TRUST CO NNDBT TEXAS BANKING ORIGINAL GREAT CD RATES! Inquire within MEMBER FDIC
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 24

    I can't look at it too hard

    Reading this may trigger a headache* Boun is 1899 S. Pellegrino is on icon of the Italian lifestyle and one of the world's most renowned sparkling natural mineral waters, and appreciated by sommeliers ond top chels / by With its gentle bubbles and its perfect mineral balance S.Pelegrisa Inspires you to savorite and enhance every moment. Nutrition Serving si size Amount per serving Calories PLASTIC BOTTLE Total Fal Sodium 15 Serve chilled of 46 to 50 °F BOTTLE MADE WITH OTHER BOTTLES 25% RECYCLED
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 25

    Classic Airbnb chic

    to Our Home W e m
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 26

    Muddy whats?

    Muddy BLITS RIDING STABLES Child Lessons Adult ails
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 27

    Okay WHO was in charge of this?

    3 2 6 5 1 4 C AID A OPEN ALARM " AKA CLOSE DH www
    via r/CrappyDesign

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FAILS design fail sign FAIL signs design funny memes redesign signage design fails designer bad design good design graphic design funny funny signs interior design
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