ADVERTISEMENT

Designers are supposed to be making the world easier and more enjoyable, but sometimes they do the exact opposite. Instead of removing obstacles, they create additional ones!

There can be a whole bunch of reasons for it. Maybe there was a need to reduce costs or a push to influence a certain behavior, but the bottom line is that users aren't happy.

The X account ‘Hostile Design’ highlights examples of these questionable “solutions,” showcasing the many ways objects and spaces can work against people and communities.

More info: X

RELATED:
    #2

    Two benches installed facing opposite directions with a long metal strip, highlighting urban designers design flaws.

    hostiledesign Report

    quentariel
    Community Member
    10 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This would be perfect in Finland. To be honest, if that bench continued the whole way, people would only sit on the opposite ends at the same time.

    View more comments
    #3

    Urban designers forgot people's comfort, providing impractical, narrow subway seating.

    hostiledesign Report

    Charlotte
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that a bike rack? I don't understand what I'm looking at

    View more comments
    #4

    A tree planter box with metal bars and rings installed by urban designers, making it uncomfortable for people to sit.

    hostiledesign Report

    IORN
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's for preventing people from sitting on it.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Urban designers forgot peoples comfort, with a uniquely shaped bench in Columbia District.

    hostiledesign Report

    Francois
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    An American solution to rought sleepers, make it rough to sleep.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Urban designers ignored people's comfort, installing tiny, impractical wall-mounted seats in a subway.

    hostiledesign Report

    David Paterson
    Community Member
    5 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now this I like. Different people different heights. With a disabled access one at the end. Do you think they could make short flight airplane seats like these?

    View more comments
    #8

    A metal bench with small, circular perforations and multiple armrests by urban designers, reducing people's comfort.

    hostiledesign Report

    IORN
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The separators are actually there for you to hang on and stop yourself from slipping down the seat...

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    Concrete steps with multiple metal handrails installed by urban designers, obstructing people's comfortable use of the space.

    hostiledesign Report

    Daisydaisy
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It just horrifies me that we don't want homeless people to even have a place to lie down. I find this really distressing. Why are we so cruel?

    View more comments

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Follow on Google News

    #16

    A narrow, zig-zagging staircase leads to a hallway, illustrating poor urban design and lack of people's comfort.

    hostiledesign Report

    Tom Hardeveld
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we heard you like stairs so we put some stairs on your stairs

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    An elevator sign points to a large pillar blocking a path, illustrating poor design by urban designers.

    hostiledesign Report

    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone really mucked up their internal layout if they ended up with the support pillar there.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Urban designers overlooked people's comfort, installing a spiked anti-homeless barrier.

    hostiledesign Report

    Charlotte
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the goal is to break up chunks of falling snow so it melts better, I get it

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #24

    Urban designers forgot peoples comfort, with a display of Lacoste clothing in a shop window.

    hostiledesign Report

    Tom Hardeveld
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would say this is pointless. Then again...

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #29

    An old park bench with two small, uncomfortable seats, demonstrating urban designers neglecting people's comfort.

    hostiledesign Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks almost like someone's just taken a saw to a normal bench to ensure separation, although the two vertical supports suggests it was in fact designed like this,

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #34

    A sign on a wooden bench asks users to limit their time, a design choice showing urban designers forgot comfort.

    hostiledesign Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, that's fair enough, isn't it?

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #38

    Urban designers forgot about people's comfort; a bent, unsupportive metal bar intended for seating at a bus stop.

    hostiledesign Report

    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now I may be wrong ofc, but this looks like a safety barrier. It clearly not a bench because that is under the shelter on te top right of the photo.

    #39

    Urban designers forgot about people's comfort; a bench with uncomfortable wire seats in a public space.

    hostiledesign Report

    sbj
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Should've just left the benches as they were

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    A curved, complex wooden staircase with abstract railings, demonstrating creative yet potentially impractical urban designers work.

    hostiledesign Report

    43Duckies
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't understand what's "hostile design" about this, the stairs are perfectly functional and safe, and the design is innovative and beautiful.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT