Design Decisions That Will Have You Doing A Double Take (Who Thought This Was A Good Idea?)
Sometimes you spot a detail so odd, you can't help but wonder what the designer was thinking. We’ve rounded up some hilarious head-scratchers that challenge logic, creativity, or both. Come explore these design gems and see if you’d handle these quirky situations any better yourself!
“My landlords “carpenter” hooked us up with this beauty today..”
Was this microwave installed by someone with a personal vendetta against convenience? It’s like a minimalist display—if minimalism means maximum effort every time you want popcorn. I can’t imagine reaching up there without a stepladder. If nothing else, it really makes you grateful for your countertop. At least that’s within reach!
“I honestly don't know what is going on with this company's logo or how it's supposed to be read.”
First impression: I did NOT expect that sign to say anything remotely related to emergency equipment. Maybe aesthetic confusion is part of the brand? That’s a real test of selective reading skill—one second of misreading and you’re in for quite a surprise!
“The brand of these triple A batteries is "Double A".”
Buying AAA batteries branded as Double A is like showing up to a donut shop and getting bagels. It’s technically usable but feels misleading every time you grab it. I suppose it’s a marketing strategy—get people talking, even if it’s just in confusion.
“Tripping in every direction”
Nothing wakes you up in the morning quite like a hallway of stairs that seem determined to trip you. It’s like they were designed during a game of ‘the floor is lava’. I would confidently send every guest down these stairs… if I wanted to test their reflexes.
“This hotel room has a window into the bathroom.”
A bathroom window in your hotel room is exactly what every couple wants—total transparency! I hope nobody gets a room here on their first date. Some things just don’t need to see the light of day. Or room. Or window.
“So we just keep going right? ”
Someone needs to explain the directions in this maze, because ‘go right’ turns into an endless journey. It’s like they wanted to teach kids perseverance or the definition of futility. At some point, you just close the book and hope Antonio’s friend finds himself.
“Text goes on too long for no reason, making it unclear which door to go through”
The sign above those doors really feels like a trick question. If you have to stop and re-read directions in a dark garage, that’s a design fail. Surely there’s a better way to say, “Go left here”—or was the font designer paid by the word?
“Say racism no to respect”
This sign’s message is probably well-intentioned, but visually it ends up more confusing than helpful. I’ll take ‘Say no to racism’ with a side of ambiguous respect? It’s like graphic design class homework that needed one more round of revision.
“Entire hotel numbers with room numbers at random”
Why bother numbering hotel rooms when you can just assign them at random? Room 31 and 15 can be best friends now—they’re next-door and numerically nonsensical. Sure, your reservation says 31, but good luck finding a logical pattern.
“I don't think that's how pears grow”
I’m pretty sure pears do not grow on vines like grapes, but don’t tell the decorator who made this faux fruit garland. Ascending into uncanny valley one plastic leaf at a time. I’d expect someone’s grandma to point this out immediately. Or maybe an annoyed produce manager.
“The scenic view from the urinal”
Every restroom should offer scenery. I’m just not sure a view into another stall counts as a ‘scenic overlook’? I guess that’s one way to make restroom breaks memorable, if a little exposed.
“In this bus I can't rest my arm without hitting the stop button. (3 hours bus ride)”
If you rest your arm here, you’ll never make it three hours without accidentally pressing STOP. That’s one surefire way to meet the bus driver more than you expected. Comfort apparently wasn’t high on the list when designing this ride.
“I give you the “can’t pee standing up toilet”.”
Want to test your flexibility? Try this toilet. You’ll need knees of steel (and a deep squat) if you want to stand up here. Occupational hazard: experience humility by design. Also, bring a helmet—you’ll need it.
“Helpful size guide”
This size guide raises more questions than it answers. ‘XS’ or ‘XL’—is it about width, height, or interdimensional travel? I’m feeling more confused about my own size now than before I checked!
“h llo fall”
h llo fall, indeed. Looks like someone took a bite out of the greeting before autumn even started. Maybe this is a new, minimalist approach to seasonal décor.
“JBL headphones box saying “Dare to listen” has a picture of a person wearing neither headphones nor earplugs”
‘Dare to listen’ boldly says the box…with a picture of a person not wearing any headphones, earplugs or even earbuds. Is this the ultimate silent disco? The mystery of marketing knows no bounds—perhaps we dare to imagine the music instead.
“The seats on this train are supported by a diagonal beam which limits how far you can stretch your leg. ”
Stretch your legs…if you dare! That beam isn’t just a footrest, it’s an obstacle course. Hope you didn’t book the aisle for comfort. Every journey is a new challenge for your knees, thanks to this marvel of engineering.
“My friend and I (5’6 and 5’11” respectively) have hit our heads multiple times in this hotel bathroom. ”
Whoever designed this hotel bathroom must be exactly four feet tall. Everyone else is at serious risk of a forehead bruise. Checked in for a city break, left with a souvenir concussion.
“It’s basically telling the reader not to not go”
Nothing like a sign telling you to not not go. So…should I go? Or definitely not not go? If only this was posted at every confusing fork in life. Decisions would be twice as tricky.
“Restroom guessing game”
Pick a door, any door! It’s the restroom guessing game nobody asked for. Symbols so obscure, you’ll need a Rosetta Stone just to find relief. Let’s hope your guess is right—or at least, not embarrassing.
“My town’s identifying sculpture is backwards from the road with an amphitheater blocking it on the other side”
What’s the point of an identifying sculpture if it faces away from all the traffic? Not to mention, the amphitheater adds a layer of intrigue—or is it just a visual roadblock? It’s a landmark nobody can read, but at least it’s scenic.
“You have to either lean over the toilet or wedge yourself in the dirtiest part of the bathroom”
Bathroom squeeze mode: activated! With the sink so close, you get to choose between doing the limbo and perfecting your bathroom yoga pose. I’d rather take my chances with an extra-long line than wedge myself in this tight spot.
“Is Station Square on the left or right?”
Station Square…left or right? This sign is the public transit riddle that nobody asked for. If you’re a local, maybe you guess right. If you’re new, flip a coin and hope for the best.
“A very special and yppah restaurant!”
Nothing like a ‘yppah’ restaurant to make you feel special and a little confused. Are we supposed to eat backwards? Maybe it’s like a secret menu that you have to decode before you order. Good luck!
“The up & down indicators on this elevator”
Is that up, down, or just an angry elevator button? Minimalist doesn’t have to mean mysterious. Riding here is always an adventure—at least for your sense of direction.
“Marco Pennette logo (apparently that's how it's supposed to be read)”
So this is supposed to say ‘Marco Pennette Productions’? The logo looks like a letter tornado ran through it. If you finally spell it all out, you deserve a gold star—and maybe a nap.
“The wordless instructions for an immersion blender have some confusing steps and pictograms”
When instructions are so confusing, you start to wonder if the blender works through interpretive dance. Maybe the pictures are a riddle you solve before blending. It’s equal parts comic strip and puzzle—and only slightly helpful.
“Yes, make a tactile map without sun protection, I'm sure no one will complain about burnt fingers...”
A tactile map is a great idea—until you forget sun protection and turn it into a finger-burning hazard. Accessibility meets summer heat in a truly unexpected way. Let’s hope the next design includes SPF 50 built in.
“District Champs 202?”
District Champs 202…what? Suspenseful, mysterious, eternally unresolved? Is there a number missing or do they just win every year? No need to be modest—just leave everyone guessing how recently you actually scored that trophy.
