20 Baffling Design Choices Found in the Wild (August 27, 2026)

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Aug 27, 2026 4:30 PM EDT

Design fails can happen to us all… if we're not careful. 

Failure is a natural part of life. If we never failed, we would never learn. Failure is actually the best way to figure something out. It helps you understand why things don't work and why things do work. It's important to embrace failure whenever we can. If you do something challenging every day, then that becomes a natural part of it. This is why people do things like cold plunges first thing in the morning. It's a good way to make yourself do something hard, and then you feel like you've accomplished something once it's over. These design fails are examples of this as well. The people behind these decisions had a lot on their plate, and sometimes things just don't pan out the way you'd hoped for them to. But if you're used to failure, then you're no stranger to this. Failure is inevitable, but it's the way we respond to it that matters. Do you learn from your mistakes or do you pretend like they never happened in the first place? Do you take stock of what happened and try to apply what you learned to the next thing, or do you roll right alone like a train? Today, we're here to wallow in our mistakes. Or the mistakes of others. It's much easier to laugh at other's mistakes than it is our own. But we're not going to try and fix that today.

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  • 01

    I thought it was mold until I looked

    The tiles at the hotel I'm staying at. The only way I know it's not mold is because the pattern repeats in other parts of the bathroom
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 02

    Perfect for driving :)

    This shiny silver trim in my car that blinds me
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 03

    Perfect! Leave it out for the kids

    This ultra sharp knife has no way to lock it open or closed
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 04

    Bro is being haunted in the middle of the night

    Light from bathroom at 3am in a hotel room. Why can't it be a solid door.
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 05

    I would neverrrrr learn that

    This lamp from Amazon has the "increase brightness" button on bottom and "decrease brightness" on top. I can never get used to it. ON/OFF 邊 Mode Timer CTION TRAGT HOLD 234g)
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 06

    The messages are mixed as heck

    Hand sanitizer station disguised with eye hydration advertising. FORI INFOR Giant Sanitize Here Refresh Dry Eyes? Add Advanced Hydration to Your Cart. Refresh Refresh RELIEVA P MEGA-3 G FAST-ACTING LONG-LASTING ADVERTISE WITH US! Refresh Lubricant Eye Drops Refresh MEGA-3 O Refresh RELIEVA PE RTISE WITH US!
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 07

    Is there a nicer way to say this?

    If passenger is big, passenger must buy two seat. If not, conductor may ask passenger to leave train because seat is not for become two seat. No refund for this.
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 08

    Inception

    Beards are cool. Mullets are bad
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 09

    Take me to Ham Sandwich and 3 and a Half

    FINGLESHAM ½/2 DEAL 4 HAM SANDWICH 3 ½
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 10

    I wonder what Todd did

    LIGHTSABER NIGHT HAS BEEN CANCELLED THANKS A LOT TODD
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 11

    Who is Collin and why are we punishing him?

    CITY OF Springfield LITTER CONTROL Adopt-a-Street $ NEXT 0.5 MILES Collin's Punishment
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 12

    Sure looks a lot like one

    THIS IS NOT A TRASH CAN TSIS NOTA TRASH CAN
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 13

    Bro is Hannibal Lecter

    5832 Particular afte Sea 11 12 E OUR BIKES WEIGH CLOSE TO 200KG EACH DO NOT TOUCH Water Street IF THEY TIP THE DIRECTOR WILL 7AM SP EAT YOU WITH A NICE CHIANTI A sign at the Vancouver Police Museum. Hehehe
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 14

    I think you need to try that again

    WELCONE $5 BOWELS
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 15

    Ya know what I bet they are

    TAQ ERIA LA PALOMA SOPES POZOLE MENUDO My English Is Very Bad But My Tacos Are TORTAS DESAYUNOS Very Good
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 16

    Please make it sound more appetizing

    BLACK PUDDING £5.75 OR £9.75 WITH CHIPS. OR WHY NOT TRY BLAGGIS! HALF BLACK PUDDING AND HALF HAGGIS £5.75 OR £9.75 WITH CHIPS.
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 17

    Okay I guess that's not an exit

    Dilni nga kalaja vetëm nga porta. Për sigurinë tuaj, ju lutemi, mos hipni mbi muret e kalasë. Only exit the castle via the gate. For your safety, please stay off of the castle walls.
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 18

    Wasn't going to but thanks

    DO NOT HUMP
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 19

    Mixed messaging once again

    A FARLIG HAZARDOUS AVFALL WASTE Dangerous Waste OPEN HERE
    via r/CrappyDesign
  • 20

    Discount childcare... perfect!

    Maple Montessori INFANT & TODDLER CHILDCARE Groupon CHILDCARE 778-706-2000 22461 North Ave, Maple Ridge
    via r/CrappyDesign

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