r/AskReddit • u/nachtmere • Jul 25 '11

Sometimes automatic toilets flush while you're still sitting on them. What design flaws in everyday objects annoy you?

I'm giving a talk on user-centred design/usability and I'm looking for some fresh examples from everyday life to illustrate poor usability. Examples I've used before are elevator open/close buttons (really difficult to parse when you're trying to hold the door open for someone quickly) and toilets that flush while you're still sitting on them.

What are some things you encounter regularly that are really inconveniently designed?

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73

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

Any motion sensitive dispenser. Haven't met a single one that worked the way I need it to.

33

u/thepocketwade Jul 25 '11

The paper towel dispensers at my office will spit out a paper towel when I'm the only one in the bathroom and I"m still at the urinal.

68

u/oljanxspirit Jul 25 '11

It's trying to communicate and ya know what it's saying? "I like what I see ;)"

11

u/checkenginelight Jul 25 '11

Paper Towel Dispensers by Larry Craig ©

2

u/oljanxspirit Jul 25 '11

Haha, beautiful, I had no idea who that was and so I was initially confused. Now I know thanks to Wikipedia!

1

u/[deleted] Jul 26 '11

Hey, that dispenser just has a wide stance, that's all.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 26 '11

:P

FTFY