Good design and flawless execution often go hand in hand. But sometimes you get something aesthetically questionable despite remarkable craftsmanship.
It could be an outrageously elaborate tattoo, a piece of ridiculous-looking furniture expertly constructed, or any of the other posts you’d see on the Awful Taste But Great Execution subreddit. The name itself is already a good enough giveaway of the mixed emotions you’ll feel as you scroll through.
Here are some of those posts we’ve collected for your entertainment today. Who knows? These oddball designs might even inspire you in some way.
#1 I Would Never Wear This But Great Execution

© Photo: LEDAfterBurners
#2 So The College Kids Can Decorate Their Dorms

© Photo: [deleted]
#3 Bird Feet Table With Goose Head Lamp

© Photo: Paperopiero
Something that is deemed “ugly,” “tacky,” or “bizarre” can immediately be a turn-off. However, they can also stand out for various reasons. According to game design consultant Joe Mares, grabbing attention can override aesthetics.
“In a sea of ‘safe’ design decisions, tacky or weird things stand out. It doesn't mean they're good, but it does mean they get your attention,” Mares told Bored Panda. “If something doesn't quickly grab our attention, it may as well not even exist, so in that sense it's not the worst thing in the world.”
#4 Bass Ackwards

© Photo: Aeon1508
#5 M’lighter

© Photo: [deleted]
#6 Creepy Chewbacca Girls

© Photo: Cmann14_
Licensed therapist and Pacific Coast Therapy founder Kaila Hattis shared a similar sentiment. As she explained, asymmetry draws attention, which means “bad” things can evoke a reaction.
“The opposite in two things usually attracts people more than the similarity. Therefore, something unexpected can draw attention and spark interest,” Hattis said. “In my opinion, 'bad' taste is a strange and unusual combination that is designed to look bad but somehow doesn’t because of the author’s skill.”
#7 This... Helmet?

© Photo: [deleted]
#8 Spider Earings. Because Everyone Loves Getting Slapped Upside The Head By Random Strangers Trying To Help

© Photo: Waynegravsky
#9 My Sausage And Mashed Potato Birthday Cake

© Photo: jousty
Intentional unconventionality and poor design are almost polar opposites. According to Mares, the difference lies in the distinction between design and art: something well-designed is often intended for consumption and achieves its goal purposefully.
“(Most well-designed objects are) meant to be useful or even just pleasing to the eye. There is no wasted space. It is efficient and simple. That's usually what beauty is. Art, on the other hand, can be open to interpretation and may not have any actual use, and can be unnecessarily excessive, whether it be clothing or entertainment media.”
#10 Stretch Scooter. So You And Your Crew Can All Die At The Same Time

© Photo: ReaganAbe
#11 Custom Dog Slippers Made To Look Like Your Dog

© Photo: ReaganAbe
#12 “Come On Guys, Let’s Split.”

© Photo: [deleted]
Meanwhile, Hattis says it is all about intention. She points out that even something conventionally displeasing to the eye can look attractive if its creator clearly expresses their intentions.
“If a person clearly understands what they want to convey to the audience by creating this thing, their concrete intention makes it look more interesting. It is essential to find details that will help the viewer connect emotionally with the work of art or design,” she said.
#13 Who Had The Time For This?!!

© Photo: condomonsteroid
#14 This Phone Case

© Photo: FallenKai
#15 Tattoo Sleeve Romper Advertised On Facebook

© Photo: palexander_6
The people whose works were featured on the subreddit likely wanted to stand out by creating something unusual. However, there is a method to the madness to achieve success. According to Mares, authenticity is at the root of it all.
“Once you've established that, hone it for usefulness, usability, aesthetic, and/or purpose. You can serve both audiences here: those looking for something unique, while not offending the senses.”
#16 Multi-Chrome Bathroom

© Photo: cakeybakeyshakey
#17 This Duct Taped Car

© Photo: datyoungknockoutkid
#18 Tentacle Tights

© Photo: chickenPadTai
Hattis, by contrast, is all about being expressive. She says this helps the beholder understand what they are looking at, even when it borders on strange.
“Good taste is good, but I believe that to increase the effect of ‘bad’ taste, it is necessary to emphasize the expressiveness of the work. To highlight the ‘bad’ taste, one should carefully consider all the details and make the work unique.”
#19 This Silica Gel Bag

© Photo: ckkohl
#20 Now Introducing Finger Hands For Finger Hands

© Photo: KlzXS
#21 This Shoe-Cake

© Photo: kansasct
#22 A Well-Groomed Dog. Or "My Mom Got Her Dog’s Feet Shaved So That They Wouldn’t Get As Dirty When She Went Outside"

© Photo: footprintx
#23 Wallet Chain Ankle Crocs - Thank You Small Town Malls

© Photo: ghosted_
#24 Grasshopper Bag

© Photo: svetlambo
#25 Moldy Fruit Art Using Precious Gems And Stones

© Photo: zombiefriedrice
#26 The Reverse Centaur

© Photo: Gliched_admin
#27 I Went On A Date Today, He Proudly Showed Me This Tattoo

© Photo: btacceber
#28 Idk Why This Was Made. But I Am Impressed

© Photo: jumpyskits
#29 Anyone Wanna Ride A Lobster Motorcycle?

© Photo: bitterbuffaloheart
#30 An Excavator’s Shovel Mug (It’s Milk Tea Btw)

© Photo: harry02260213
#31 This Handy Octopus Sculpture

© Photo: bbb126
#32 This Hair Do

© Photo: caseysgeneralstore
#33 This Belongs Here

© Photo: Primelily
#34 Cockroach Latte. It Is A Great Execution But Why?

© Photo: ReaganAbe
#35 Giving Your Haircut A Haircut

© Photo: kitten-buttz
#36 This Horse

© Photo: grayvic
#37 This Spongebob Car

© Photo: marareddit
#38 Mike Fiers' Spiral Moustache

© Photo: [deleted]
#39 A New Form Of Contraceptive Emerges!

© Photo: Anichula
#40 My Friends Hand Made Crown Royal Jacket...after Many Many Bottles. Chinese Silk Liner

© Photo: Reddytoreggae4415
#41 Hamburger Bed From 1972

© Photo: BleuDePrusse
#42 Sorry If Repost. Saw This Nightmare On Facebook And Had To Share

© Photo: RealSimplexity
#43 Spider Hair

© Photo: Spicy105
#44 Awful Toast But Great Eggsecution

© Photo: zaltair77
#45 The Epitome Of The Phrase “Money Can’t Buy Taste”

© Photo: Notfranklloyedwright
#46 Feeling A Little Frisky

© Photo: FGoose
#47 Wall Paper Found In A Restaurant In San Diego

© Photo: darkerdays1
#48 I Laughed But Not Enough To Do Get It In My Body Permanently

© Photo: princelleuad
#49 When Your Parents Tell You To Be A Doctor And End Up Being The Sorcerer Supreme

© Photo: Thick-Dinosaur
#50 I Was Told This Should Live Here

© Photo: Komplexs
#51 A Good Way To Make Sure Nobody Steals Your Luggage

© Photo: Compact8909
#52 Does This Fit Here?

© Photo: cinchknight
#53 The Technical Skill Is There

© Photo: nicemathmom
#54 This Wedding Cake Made To Look Like A Combo Meal From Popeye's

© Photo: TorchIt
#55 Man On Toilet, Stained Glass

© Photo: Mr_PoodlePants
#56 That Stool

© Photo: junkerow
#57 This Hand-Teaset

© Photo: wepz
#58 I Think I Found My Halloween Costume

© Photo: DougJudyBK99
#59 An Interesting Approach To Taxidermy

© Photo: [deleted]
#60 Crystal Furniture Set That Looks Like Raw Chunks Of Meat

© Photo: Kim_Jong_Fieri
#61 This Chicken Bag That I Wish I Had The Confidence To Wear

© Photo: [deleted]
#62 Sunflower Seeds Tattoo

© Photo: copaOW
#63 Just A Cake Covered In White Chocolate Teeth

© Photo: awkward_zoo
#64 Found My Wedding Ring

© Photo: [deleted]
#65 Me: I’m Having Issues Projecting My Voice Barber: Say No More

© Photo: oistr
#66 Does This Count?

© Photo: vhantas
#67 At What Point Are Stairs Not Stairs?

© Photo: 4dspecs
#68 I See Your Skeleton Rocking Chair And I Raise You A Skeleton Rocking Throne

© Photo: FridgeRacerV
#69 Thought This Was A Joke, But No, They’re $4,000 Dresses From Barneys

© Photo: NotTodaySquirrel
#70 Toilet Paper Cake

© Photo: [deleted]
#71 Painting I Found In A Shop. Should Have Bought It

© Photo: kolfa
#72 This Horrible Toilet-Seat

© Photo: jige1337
#73 Salad Lasagne

© Photo: BaconBunkerFuck
#74 Looks Disturbing To Me

© Photo: sztalu
#75 This Miami Condo Features A $1.5m Pagani Zonda As A Room Divider

© Photo: [deleted]
#76 Giddy Up Lil Doggy

© Photo: littlecleo75
#77 My Client’s Toilet Art Piece

© Photo: SirERexYun
#78 Indian Billionaire's Abandoned Mansion On Top Of A Skyscraper In Bangalore, India

© Photo: murphsroom
#79 Punctured Car

© Photo: Isku_StillWinning
#80 Bristol Stool Chart Cake Made By My Stepmum

© Photo: dastardlymustardly
#81 This Baby Made Of Babies

© Photo: eyeofthepidgeon
#82 This Tattoo

© Photo: bada_boi
#83 The Infamous Adidas “Shackle Shoes”

© Photo: b0nsley
#84 This Set Of Dice For Dnd

© Photo: dewpoke
#85 Thank @artistjodysteel On Instagram For The Nightmare Fuel

© Photo: TheBizzareKing
#86 Bruh

© Photo: RedBaconBoi
#87 I Think Whoever Did This, Really Nailed This Oysters

© Photo: Snow75
#88 I'm Amazed By The Detail. His Dates Probably Aren't

© Photo: SpicyPhotoBoy
#89 Pizza 🍕 Wedding Dress

© Photo: Kdial2002