18 Design fails that made us look twice

Whether you’re a design enthusiast or just love a good facepalm moment, these photos will have you questioning humanity’s creative choices. From misplaced labels to truly baffling architecture, enjoy this whirlwind tour through some of the most hilariously confusing design fails the internet has to offer.

“This sifter that shaves microplastics into your flour”

I was just hoping for flour, not a side helping of microplastic shavings, thanks. This sifter is like a horror story in a kitchen appliance: a twist on food safety nightmares you never wanted. How did no one catch this in product testing? My cookies deserve better than this micro-dose.

“Bathroom of an apartment I was viewing for rent.”

Everything feels a bit wrong here, like the bathroom itself is mid-existential crisis. There’s so much going on—fixtures facing odd ways, and I’m not even sure what belongs where anymore! Imagine stepping into this space every morning and re-living the confusion. Would I ever fully wake up? Probably not.

“Those are five steps or more”

This floor pattern is the visual equivalent of tripping over your own feet while stone sober. I can’t tell where the steps end and the flat ground begins! Is it supposed to be edgy or just give me vertigo? Either way, I’m taking my chances with the wall as a handhold.

“Stairway to Heck”

Is this a staircase or a brick ziggurat? I have so many questions about the effort it would take to ascend these uneven steps and none about the destination. Whoever built this was either a visionary or just super into early video game landscapes. I’m here for the audacity, if nothing else.

“Drano suggests to use 1/3 of a bottle, but markings on the side are in 1/4 increments”

Pour one-third of the bottle, they said. The side markings go by quarters, they said—wait, that doesn’t add up at all. Guess it’s time to channel my inner mathlete while unclogging the drain! It’s almost like they want your whole bottle gone each time. Nice try, Drano.

“Another Unfortunate Line Break”

Sham POO gets me every time. I came here to get clean, not to second-guess whether I’m about to use a prank product. Please let the word break be kinder next time. Hotel bathrooms should really come with disclaimers for accidental comedy.

“Ĥäppĩñęśś ĩś crappy graphic design”

Those are some energetic diacritics on ‘happiness!’ I feel like the word itself might take flight off the sign. But honestly, it wouldn’t hurt if the design dialed it back just a tad. My brain can only process so much joy (and so many extra accent marks).

“A bit of a minor gripe, but the word ‘Problem’ is supposed to be upside down. That’s the whole joke with a design like this.”

You had one job: turn the word ‘problem’ upside down to make the joke work. Instead, it’s just as right-side-up and confusing as my reaction. Feels like the joke just packed its bags and left the tire cover mid-design.

“Good luck plugging your charger into this outlet on the Hungarian National Railway”

Good luck plugging anything into that socket! Hope your arm doubles as a contortionist tool, because there’s no way a regular charger fits in there. Sometimes, a perfect power outlet placement remains a dream. This train just decided to make yours a challenge.

“Imagine the logistics and the cleaning.”

That’s a lot of lace for a toilet. Imagine the logistics of keeping this setup clean, not to mention finding a matching rug! Design goals: maximum elegance, minimum practicality. Your bathroom could be princess-themed, but only if you have infinite patience.

“Ritz’s Guide to a Serving Size”

Ritz serving size math is now officially more confusing than calculus. 8 crackers, then… 0.5 times 8 equals… 8 again? Sure, why not. If your snack math requires this much decoding, maybe just eat until you feel at peace.

“Belgian Urban Design”

Nothing like a crosswalk that leads you directly into a tree planter. Is this the Belgian version of urban fitness? Dodge the tree while jaywalking. I feel like there should be a secret prize for whoever makes it across with style.

“The cabinet doors in my hotel room look like they’re crooked and falling off the hinges”

I keep wanting to walk over and straighten those cabinet doors, but it turns out they’re perfectly fine—just tricking my brain’s sense of balance. Great, now I’ll never relax in this hotel room. Thanks, design team.

“Je1st -> YOU LAST”

Je1st, you last—it sounds more like a Mario Kart power-up than a well-meaning bumper sticker. I had to read it three times to decode what the message was supposed to be. But hey, at least it’s memorable. Points for effort on the design puzzle.

“Why would you represent a single letter (1) with two (2) objects? I read it as “Rellax”.”

Flip-flops and a whale tail for the double-L? Now all I see is ‘Rellax’ every time. Maybe it’s some new form of ultra-chill relaxation I can’t access. Designers, just give letters their moment to shine—without aquatic distractions.

“You have to be slim”

The level of side-eye these side-by-side urinals elicit is almost an Olympic sport. There’s barely any space for one—let alone two! “You have to be slim” isn’t just a guideline, it’s a strict admission policy.

“Completing the crappy set”

Nothing says ‘I gave up mid-design’ quite like this butter dish. It’s labeled twice, just in case you forget what’s inside, but somehow still manages to look off. Honestly, the matching sugar jar must feel vindicated now—teamwork in typography confusion!

“My soul just fell down these stairs”

Those stairs look like they’re plotting against everyone’s ankles and dignity. One, two, three—wait, what happened here? My eyes can barely track where each step begins and ends. Honestly, my soul didn’t just fall. It’s still lying at the bottom, questioning all my life choices so far.