Great design is everywhere, and I really gotta give it to the peeps who make life a little better with their creativity and generally smart ideas.
Bad design gets a lot of flack, but good design does not get the love it deserves. Do you ever stop to think about what life would be like if everyday things were designed in a totally shitty way?
Great design is often simple, like a pen that tells you when it’s getting close to running out or bubble wrap shaped like hearts. It’s the small wins that deserve the biggest props.
1. It’s actually the worst when you’re scribbling down notes and your pen suddenly runs out.
Who has time for finding another pen when you’re writing down that cutie’s number at the bar?
This pen tells you how many pages you have left as you use it!
2. Pizza Hut’s unique plastic bag design should win some sort of pizza award.
To make sure all of your toppings stay on your slice of ‘za, Pizza Hut uses bags that keep your pizza box flat.
And for that, they’re the pizza MVP.
3. Raise your hand if you absolutely hate fitted sheets.
I just got a new bed last night, and it took me way longer than I’d like to admit to put the damn sheet on.
This is probably worth DIYing if you can’t find yourself one of these at the store.
4. When Fido’s gotta go, he’s gotta go.
Even if you’re at an airport in the middle of another city.
I’ve actually always wondered where service dogs and other pets can do their business at an airport, and I’m glad to know these guys can potty in comfort in a space complete with a fire hydrant.
5. This train in Kyoto, Japan marks priority seating in such a smart way.
As someone who has experienced Japanese transit first hand, this is so handy. The universal symbols for pregnancy, elderly, and disabled help overcome any language barrier.
6. This vending machine in Nashville is a musician’s dream come true.
It’ll make sure you’re stocked on extra guitar strings, pics, and other musical gear so you never have to worry at your next show.
It’d probably make a solid souvenir, too.
7. Nothing makes me happier than when designers think ahead.
They could’ve just stopped at making the boxes look cool, but instead they went the extra mile and thought about exactly what they’d look like on the shelf together. Genius!
8. When you line up each of the British coins, it forms the British coat of arms.
It’s a super cool concept that I’m sure was approved by Queen Elizabeth. Heck, it was probably her idea.
9. Whenever the sun shines through the window of this shop, their logo is projected on the tables right beside it.
While it’s totally possible this was a complete accident, I’m definitely here for accidental good design.
10. Who doesn’t love popping bubble wrap in their spare time?
So it only makes sense that a company would eventually turn those circular bubbles into hearts to commemorate everyone’s favorite pastime.
11. The zookeepers at this zoo must have been annoyed with accidental button pushing, and with the kids who were doing it.
This is a genius way to stop annoying calls, and also give the kids a spelling lesson at the same time.
12. This kombucha label doesn’t take itself too seriously.
I love a good design pun, and anything with a cute little sloth underneath is a win in my books.
13. Who wouldn’t want to escape the office via a two story slide on the side of your building?
This type of thing warrants the “Best Workplace of the Year” award.
14. Anyone who travels a lot knows that leg room is coveted space.
So whoever came up with the idea to add indents for knees is probably every tall person’s hero.
15. This sign isn’t being an asshole, it’s just letting customers know they’re currently closed.
When the shop moves the door to let people in, the door says “OPEN” instead. Much nicer.
16. The perfect way to signal a slippery floor.
A fantastic way to make sure people are paying attention AND have a cute little wet floor sign all at once.
17. Twitter has our backs.
Searching certain anti-vax hashtags will automatically give you a prompt from Twitter to properly research vaccines from a credible source. Catch them early!
18. Not a nail-biting decision anymore.
These nail polish bottles come with a flip up fake nail to place over your own so you can see what the nail polish will look like on your hand without having to open a random bottle.
19. We’ve finally found it… the PERFECT logo…
No matter how you slice this one, it’ll always read the company name. That’s genius. I don’t know if it was a fortunate happenstance or if they chose the name based on this, but either way, kudos to them.
20. Siri looking out for you.
Siri caught that this was very late/very early in the morning, and made sure to confirm which “tomorrow” the user meant. Maybe robots will take over, but at least they’re helpful now!
21. This bathroom has a place to rest your phone.
I need every bathroom I ever use to have one of these installed, please. No more precariously balancing my phone on the toilet roll cover or setting it on the nasty floor for me.
22. No more sticky spoons!
This restaurant’s spoons have a little piece on their end to keep them from sliding into the bowl and getting all wet and sticky and to keep you from having to stick your fingers into your food to fish it back out.
23. This barrier keeps you from scratching other cars.
And more importantly, it keeps other people from scratching your car. More safety bumpers everywhere, please. The sidewalk. Attached to all doors in my house. I’ll even wear one around my shoulders.
Are you as obsessed with cool design as I am?
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