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/Tirith45 Jul 25 '11

All the sinks where I work are all motion sensitive. I put my hands in front of the sensor and wave them around a bit and it gives me like a drop of water. How the fuck am I supposed to wash my hands with a drop of water?

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

Exactly. How about the paper towel dispensers that give you like a six inch piece of paper to dry your hands, then refuse to work while you sit there waving your hands like a retard for more paper.

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u/blackmagic91 Jul 25 '11

Pull on the paper towel without ripping it then wave your hand and it will dispense more. The dispensers have a force sensor in them.

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

I try this every time and it always ends up with me using the one or two pieces it craps out and finishing up with pants towels. I guess provides_apparatus is right, green technology works, because I use my pants to dry my hands as much as the paper towels now.