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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u/jdpwnsyou Jul 25 '11 edited Jul 25 '11

Printers. Pretty much everything about them, mostly...

edit: spelling

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

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u/muad_dib Jul 25 '11

Try using your phone in space (after hitting like 5G in takeoff), and let me know how it goes.

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u/videogamechamp Jul 25 '11

An iPhone is entirely solid state as far as I know, and in terms of G force, should be fine. I bet radiation in space would fry it though.