18 Photos of questionable design decisions

Ever wondered what happens when design hits a pothole? We’ve collected twenty of the most baffling, amusing, and question-inducing images for your enjoyment. Join us as we marvel, chuckle, and occasionally sigh at the creative wonders and blunders found in everyday life. Get ready for a wild visual ride!

“The backsplash my jerk grandma picked for her new house she’s building”

This kitchen backsplash is making a very bold statement, but I can’t tell if it’s ‘royal palace’ or ‘grandma’s secret chamber of secrets.’ It somehow manages to be both impressive and overwhelming at the same time. Visiting here must feel like washing dishes in a treasure chest. Shine on, golden wall!

“I guess we dont need spacing between Go On”

I read ‘GO ON YOU’RE FREE’ and immediately needed a second to process it. Why does the lack of spacing make it sound like an order from a mythic bingo witch? Designers, this is your friendly reminder: even one space can change the story. This box has levels.

“Grocery store barcode scanner was scanning its own advertised barcode, so they had to cover it with permanent marker”

When the barcode scanner starts scanning its own advertisement, you know things have gotten meta. Permanent marker to the rescue! Guess it’s just another day in retail tech where the machines get a little too enthusiastic about doing their jobs.

“Roof of university building intentionally leaks water and it spatters everywhere”

Only in a modern university could someone intentionally design a building to leak inside. Did they just want to give students that ‘outdoor after a rainstorm’ vibe? Be careful where you set up your laptop. Surprise water features may be closer than they appear!

“This was not a fun experience.”

This bathroom layout looks like a puzzle game set to ‘frustrate your morning.’ Someone got creative with geometry, but not with comfort. Every visit must be an adventure. It’s like, ‘Congratulations! You found the hidden brush – behind the wall and the toilet!’

“This gardening nutrient mix that looks like ketchup. It even says “Great Flavour””

Nothing says ‘delicious’ quite like gardening nutrients that look exactly like a bottle of ketchup. The ‘Great Flavour’ claim really sets a bold tone… for your tomatoes. Just don’t mix this up with your picnic condiments or someone’s getting extra-fertilized sandwiches!

“I was wondering why my niece always zones out halfway through while counting on this toy, until I noticed”

I spent way too long trying to figure out what was missing with this counting toy. Now I understand why kids get that far-off stare halfway through. Never before has math seemed like such an existential journey. Who knew skip-counting meant skipping parts entirely?

“Can’t read anything in this in-flight magazine”

Wow, I hope you’re not here to learn about Kuala Lumpur because this page is on expert mode for readability. Was there a two-for-one deal on transparent text? Maybe this is a scavenger hunt where you unlock the article by guessing the words. Let’s squint together!

“The official coat of arms of Zambesia, an unrecognized region in Southern Africa striving for independence”

If this coat of arms doesn’t spark curiosity, I don’t know what will. With those bold statements and a river bird on lily pads, I want to know everything about Zambesia now. It’s got mottoes for days and a font that’s making my eyes do a double-take.

“these Leviton switches have raised lettering that love gathering and KEEPING dirt in them”

These light switches look like they were designed to double as a dirt magnet collector. The raised lettering just screams ‘never not dusty!’ It’s like an endless battle: you clean, and the switches raise their grimy little flags in victory again.

“Missing numbers on kids height measurement”

Missing numbers on this height chart is truly next-level chaos. Imagine telling your kid they’re ‘somewhere between 800 and 900,’ and calling it good. It’s the ultimate game of hide-and-seek: but for centimeters. Measurement, but make it mysterious!

“This plaque is having an identity crisis”

If plaques could talk, this one would probably tell you it’s having a bit of an identity crisis. New York and Route 66…with a double decker bus? It’s a sightseeing tour of confusion, but at least it covers a lot of ground. Passport not required, just imagination.

“Cursive paragraph text with drop shadow???”

Every once in a while, someone thinks cursive with drop shadow is the answer to legibility. Turns out, it’s actually just the answer to a new kind of eye exam. I’m still not sure what this event is, but I’m appreciating the effort that went somewhere…unexpected.

“The layout of black keys on the piano on this advert”

I can only assume this advert’s piano keys were drawn after a long night with very little sleep. I’m loving the attempt, but the black keys are living their best, chaotic life. If you manage to play a song on this, you’re officially a music wizard.

“The buttons on this scale that fade out when viewed upfront and only visible from off angles. And no, the buttons don’t light up either.”

If you can find the buttons on this scale without holding it at a weird angle, you’re already ahead of the game. Why make the buttons visible and usable when you can just…not? Good luck weighing things, and may visibility odds be ever in your favor.

“Poster where song titles are mixed with a poem/advert. Circled in case you have no idea what his songs are.”

When a song list meets a poem and then gets merged with an ad, you end up with this wild poster. I appreciate that someone circled the actual songs—otherwise, this would need its own playlist just to decode it. Congratulations if you can hum along AND understand the theme!

“Happy New Year Everybody!”

I see what they were trying to do, but now I can’t unsee the fact that these glasses are basically giving me 20/26 vision. Happy…206? Either way, cheers to whatever year it is! On the upside, at least these make every New Year’s party a bit more interesting. You’ll never forget this timeline.

“Innovative water trap disguised as public seating”

So, this is what happens when a designer thinks, ‘Let’s make people choose between sitting down and staying dry!’ Those puddles would make even the bravest person second guess looking for a quick rest. It really gives a whole new meaning to ‘just passing by.’ Form AND function, but maybe a bit too much water feature.