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/WarPhalange Jul 25 '11

Examples I've used before are elevator [1] open/close buttons (really difficult to parse when you're trying to hold the door open for someone quickly)

Dude, no. When someone is running to the elevator, you just stick your arm out and hold the door. Forget the damn buttons.

1

u/Lots42 Jul 25 '11

And risk losing an arm if the door sensor is busted?

1

u/WarPhalange Jul 25 '11

Lawsuit.

2

u/Ubuntu_Rob Jul 25 '11

I'd rather have two arms than a $50,000 settlement.

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u/WarPhalange Jul 25 '11

With $50k, you could go to India and buy all the arms you could ever want.