You Had One Job: 40 Crappy Designs That Make No Sense

We all know the feeling when you spot something so off, so utterly bizarre that you can’t help but wonder, “How did this even make it to print?” We’ve all encountered that moment—whether it’s a sign, a logo, or even a product that somehow missed the mark so drastically that it became the joke of the day. Bad designs don’t just make us laugh; they make us question how someone could’ve gotten paid to create them.

In this post, Grumpy Sharks takes you through 40 of the most hilariously awful designs straight from r/CrappyDesign, a subreddit dedicated to showcasing those design fails that leave us scratching our heads. These are the types of designs that make you wonder if the creator had one job—and totally missed it. From confusing logos to products that defy all logic, these design fails will have you asking, “What were they thinking?”

#1 A wine consumption chart from Facebook.

Source: avrus

#2 Carpet around the drain is crazy

Source: dickb0tt

#3 “Heeeo!” (Is it just me?)

Source: Reddit user

#4 Completely Flat sink that doesn’t drain water

Source: Erwasen

#5 Nice book for children

Source: Ok-Investment-884

The goldmine of laughable design blunders you’re about to see comes from r/CrappyDesign, a subreddit with over 2.5 million members who love pointing out the most spectacular design failures. Whether it’s a restaurant menu that makes no sense, a product label that’s completely illegible, or a logo that’s more confusing than helpful, the members of this community don’t miss a single opportunity to highlight the design choices that truly deserve a second look—or, in some cases, a complete rework.

What makes this subreddit so great is the variety of bad design showcased. It’s not just about funny or sloppy work; it’s the kind of creativity that somehow ends up in the wildest places, making us realize that design truly does make a difference. A single design can alter how we perceive a product or a brand, and these examples remind us just how badly things can go wrong.

#6 These bathroom mats that look like they have mold.

Source: abalawadhi

#7 This stall door at Lowes that forces you to stand over the toilet to open the door. Can’t imagine the struggle for a heavier at person!

Source: TheNocturnalManic

#8 This stall door at Lowes that forces you to stand over the toilet to open the door. Can’t imagine the struggle for a heavier at person!

Source: bthest

#9 What is this supposed to say??

Source: WyFyR

#10 These switches are still confusing even after labelling them and living here for 4 years.

Source: JakksonK

When you come across one of these design disasters, it’s almost as if you’re seeing the worst-case scenario of what happens when creativity goes unchecked. But why do they fail so spectacularly? It often comes down to lack of attention to detail, communication issues, and a fundamental misunderstanding of the end user’s experience.

Bad design doesn’t just happen—it’s the result of a series of poor decisions. Maybe the designer didn’t have clear input, or perhaps there was no review process. The result? An image, sign, or layout that’s more confusing than functional. These designs serve as an ironic reminder that even when you think you’re being clever, sometimes simplicity is the answer.

Take, for example, the infamous logo that looks like it has a hidden message but leaves the viewer completely puzzled. Or a sign that’s intended to be informative but ends up looking like a riddle.

These designs don’t just fail; they take us on a wild ride of confusion, forcing us to look twice (or three times) before we can figure out what’s going on. The moral of the story: Always review, always test, and, above all, keep things simple.

#11 Water faucet in hotel chain makes washing hands incredibly frustrating

Source: DustinKli

#12 Political pamphlet not to scale

Source: SeattleGeek

#13 Disney tricycle that was banned from sale for having pointy parts right where your little girl’s face is going to go should she have a sudden stop.

Source: GeneralMagnum

#14 Hair Ex Xpress?

Source: not4humanconsumption

#15 Rumor has it I’ve been looking for the exit to this very day.

Source: Luminiferous_reefer

One of the main reasons we’re drawn to these designs is because of the humor they provide. There’s something universally funny about a design fail—it’s the kind of situation where, no matter how frustrating it is, you just can’t help but laugh. It’s not that these mistakes are just bad; they’re also surprisingly creative in the most unintentional ways. It’s like watching a train wreck—both horrifying and strangely mesmerizing at the same time.

From restaurant logos that look like they belong in a horror movie to product labels that could use a clearer instruction manual, these images capture a unique brand of humor that only design enthusiasts (or anyone with a sense of humor) will appreciate. What makes these images particularly funny is the fact that they shouldn’t exist—yet somehow, they do.

#16 Measuring tape using cm, but its length is in inches

Source: Radockys

#17 Xiaomi air purifier reset pin hole button is actually the temp/humidity sensor and I broke it by sticking a pin into it trying to reset it

Source: Hucufurus

#18 This is such a wasted opportunity to draw the leaf inside the “O”.

Source: petkol122

#19 This hotel said “yeah, I’ll take the someone was murdered here pattern please.”

Source: JBFRESHSKILLS

#20 These directional markers at my local hospital are Kiwi footprints. Unfortunately bird footprints look like arrows going the wrong way

Source: otiotori

In our increasingly visual world, design plays a crucial role in how we communicate and interact with products, services, and information. These design blunders often serve as a moment of reflection, showing us how much thought really needs to go into every decision.

With social media communities like r/CrappyDesign, design fails are now more visible than ever, creating viral moments that get shared, discussed, and sometimes even ridiculed for the entertainment of all.

#21 This product will definitely cause some children to eat it

Source: Overall-Squirrel1555

#22 The device has 5 intensity levels; the naming scheme is total crap

Source: human-exe

#23 Not quite getting the message across

Source: Material-Stuff1898

#24 If only you could make a slice of pizza could look like an A.

Source: food_sheriff

#25 YOU are in a 1 MILLIOU

Source: SwagzBagz

But beyond the laughter, these moments help to highlight the importance of good design. When a poorly executed logo or confusing menu design goes viral, it’s a wake-up call to the importance of thoughtful design practices.

It also shows that everyone makes mistakes, even the most experienced designers. The difference is, some mistakes are more fun to laugh at than others. And let’s be honest—sometimes, we need those laughs to get through the day.

#26 Physics lab: pole on the teacher’s desk blocking half the whiteboard!

Source: FunSorbet1011

#27 Decor store attempt at a “Home Sweet Home” crate

Source: Long-Last-Name

#28 The brand of these triple A batteries is “Double A”

Source: J-A-G-S

#29 Headin to da drugtore for some T Pain Pills and a Rizzy Pack

Source: Heighmann

#30 i think this doesn’t need further explanation

Source: mistabnanas

To dive deeper into why these design blunders are so fascinating, we spoke to design expert, Rachel Simmons. She explains:

“Poor design often captures our attention because it stands out in a way that good design doesn’t. It forces us to look and think. A well-designed product or logo often blends into the background, but a bad one? It grabs us, forces us to stop and figure out why it doesn’t work.”

Rachel’s insight helps us understand that the funny part about these designs isn’t just that they’re bad—it’s that they’re so “wrong” that they provoke thought, discussion, and even appreciation. In their failure, they shine a light on what could have been done better, pushing us as a society to demand better design practices in everything from advertising to product packaging.

#31 so does it say christmas, chrastmas or christmis?

Source: fuzzygarbage128

#32 What a bathroom

Source: alltheusermanes

#33 Lighting fail + ledges on sign design for this roadside motel

Source: LucChak

#34 You may not have warm

Source: The_Gebbeth666

#35 Maybe not best design for end table at hotel where you place items in the dark before bed

Source: Crazy_Love_6265

So what can we learn from these hilarious, baffling, and sometimes utterly bizarre design mistakes? Well, for one, they remind us that good design is hard, and even the best can slip up. But these failures also serve as a lesson in creativity: Don’t be afraid to try new things, but always keep an eye on the basics. Simplicity, clarity, and purpose are the bedrock of great design.

Grumpy Sharks believes that design should be simple, clean, and easy to understand—but sometimes, it’s the mess-ups that provide the most entertainment. So, take a moment to laugh, enjoy the absurdity, and let these “what were they thinking?” moments be a reminder to us all to be better in our design practices.

#36 Why would you have ANY color of light on when the unit is off?

Source: williamkenlon

#37 The sign in front of the chess board for the World Chess Championship

Source: l3opard

#38 These “globe” decorations decided to leave Europe out (and the rest isn’t good either)

Source: MryyLeathert

#39 This bottle cannot stand on its own but will leak if left horizontal

Source: TheBrontosaurus

#40 Hyper sensitive automatic water tap. And the toilet I am sitting in had automatically flushed twice already.

Source: lamty101

And there you have it—40 gloriously baffling design disasters that somehow made it out into the world, untouched by logic or common sense. While each of these “you had one job” moments may have caused a few headaches (and possibly a lawsuit or two), they’ve given us all a reason to laugh, cringe, and appreciate the beauty of basic functionality.

Thanks for tagging along through this absurd parade of questionable design. If you ever feel like your day isn’t going quite right, just remember: at least you didn’t install the exit sign pointing directly into a brick wall. Stay sharp, double-check your measurements, and never underestimate the power of proofreading—especially if you’re laying tile.