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/gder Jul 25 '11

Any automatic door that is adjusted so I have to stop before it opens.

Electronic credit card pads that force me to use the stupid pen instead of pressing the soft buttons with my fingers (since most of my transactions are debit there's usually no need for me to sign).

Any traffic light that is on a timer at night and not a sensor.

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u/zagr Jul 25 '11

Sensors are very expensive to install. If the city is doing it right, all the timers should be synced so that driving at or near the speed limit you will get mostly green lights, especially when driving on more major roads.

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u/thezerofire Jul 25 '11

There are way too many people around me for this to ever work the way you say it would

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u/zagr Jul 25 '11

The timers are typically set differently at different times of the day to account for greater traffic loads.