This world is full of way too much boring design. Neighborhoods full of identical gray buildings, street signs without any character, and offices that are filled with the cheapest IKEA furniture available. So when you see something that stands out, you may not love it at first, but it will definitely get your attention. And if it happens to be unique and practical, even better!

Bored Panda has scoured the internet to find examples of the most creative designs that are surprisingly brilliant. From pieces of furniture to articles of clothing, enjoy scrolling through all of these strange yet innovative designs. And be sure to upvote the ones that you find extremely clever!

#1 Not My Idea But A Good One!

#2 These Playing Cards

#3 Ghost Sculpture In The Castle Of Vezio, Italy

Great design isn’t always easy to find. But part of the reason for that is that it isn’t always easy to define either. It takes a creative eye to be able to come up with a brilliant idea and a clever designer to be able to execute that idea flawlessly. That’s why so much of the design we see in our daily lives is frankly underwhelming. It’s boring, it doesn’t stand out, and it looks like it took a few minutes to come up with.

So if you want to avoid putting disappointing designs out in the world, you’ll want to first understand the psychology of good design. According to Brain Sinew, there are a few factors that can make a design “feel good.” These include balance and stability, symmetry and order, and pattern and expectation.

#4 Apartment Building In Turin Holds 150 Trees

#5 This Ruler Has Cascading Millimeter Mark That Makes It Easier To Read

#6 This Railing On Gazebo In Naples Has Braille Describing The View For Blind People. More Of This Please

Our brains appreciate looking at anything that is balanced and symmetrical. It feels safe, and we associate symmetry with health and strength. Humans also seek out predictable patterns. But seeing something that subverts what your brain expects and breaks a pattern will stand out. So sometimes with design, that’s the best choice you can make.

Brain Sinew also notes that great design creates connection through human emotion. If your design makes your audience feel something, that’s a great first step. Obviously, you probably don’t want people to experience negative emotions after viewing your design. But you should always tailor your design to the specific kind of engagement you’re looking for.

#7 A Clever Way To Measure Honey In A Recipe

#8 The Logo On My Umbrella Only Shows Up When Wet

#9 A "Make Your Own Mount Fuji" Eraser From Japan

While aesthetics are clearly important, great design isn’t all about looks. It also has to serve a real purpose. And if you’re the person in charge of the project, you’ll want to define that purpose before getting started. Remember to prioritize clarity and consistency, so you don’t lose the plot along the way. And trust a skilled and proven designer to execute the game plan. You want to take some risks, but not with who you choose to pull off your project.

#10 Cool Crosswalk Design In Kyrgyzstan

#11 Amazing Work

#12 I Know It's Nutty To Say But My Squirrelfriend Totally Lights Up My Life

You may not be a designer yourself, so it may be difficult to get yourself into the mindset of one. So if you want to better understand what it’s like to be a designer, Scott Berkun, author of How Design Makes the World and Why Design Is Hard, wrote an article breaking down the 5 most dangerous (and exciting) ideas for designers.

First, he notes that the idea that everyone is a designer can be intimidating, as some people take it as a threat to their field. But Berkun explains that what he really means is that designers should be willing to take ideas or inspiration from anything and everything.

#13 This Emergency Exit Sign

#14 The Front Page Of A Danish Newspaper Today

#15 Yet Another Use For A Pool Noodle

Next, Berkun points out that designers have no power. But he argues that this is fine, as long as you can accept it. “There is probably a small set of decisions you can make without approval from someone else,” he explains. “And if you want more of your ideas to make it out the door, you either need more power, or to get better at borrowing the power of others to get things done.” But there are benefits to not being the one in charge who has all of the power; it’s just about perspective.

#16 Recycling Of IKEA Bags

#17 Dry Cleaning Stall In Singapore That Looks Like A Giant Washing Machine

#18 Amazing

In the same vein, Berkun explains that “the generalists are in charge.” Whoever your boss or manager is has a more general role than you do, and if you want that kind of job, you have to be willing to do less actual design. Being a manager doesn’t require having as many specific design skills; as long as you can say yes and no, you can be in charge of people. But all designers have to decide whether or not that path is right for them.

#19 Umbrella Pole

#20 Contact Lens Holder I Got From My Optometrist

#21 Watch Dog

Finally, Berkun points out that creativity itself is a risk. It can lead to great rewards, but it requires bravery. You have to be willing to voice your ideas out loud and be willing to face rejection. You have to be able to stand up and share what you have in mind, even if you might not receive credit for it. It’s absolutely worth it, though, when you’re able to create something that ends up on a list like this.

#22 Bags At An Optometrist’s Office In D.c

#23 Using A Spoon To Keep Her On The Porch And Not Chasing Squirrels

#24 This Bathroom In Dfw Airport That Tells You Which Stalls Are Available

Are you enjoying these creative and clever examples of design from all over the world, pandas? Keep upvoting the photos that you find particularly amusing, and let us know in the comments below what the best oddly brilliant design you’ve ever seen was. Then, if you’d like to check out another article from Bored Panda featuring examples of genius design, look no further than right here!