# What are the most shockingly ugly designs in successful or mainstream products? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 23, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474 "2008-03-23T22:42:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/21 "2008-03-24T03:49:47Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] Beige box? I haven’t seen a beige box in about five years. Most boxes now are black, as well as most monitors. [/QUOTE] Yes, but it’s now become synonymous with “bland” which is what most PC cases are, regardless of color. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/22 "2008-03-24T05:02:13Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] Beige box? I haven’t seen a beige box in about five years. Most boxes now are black, as well as most monitors. I also hate the new military uniforms. I’m not in the military so I feel like I have no position to criticize them, but I hate seeing servicemen walking around in BDUs with no over-gear - it looks dumpy. I wish they were wearing their dress uniforms instead. But that’s just my civilian opinion. I hate pretty much all new car and truck design, as some of you may know. They all look like curvy jellybean blobs to me, especially the new Mustangs and Chargers. [/QUOTE] Hey, these are the armed forces representing your country overseas, so you have a right to complain, although there are very good reasons for the uniform to look frumpy, namely comfort and functionality. That said, yeah, I wish we could wear our service uniforms a little more often too. For some bizzare reason, my service blues, which include a necktie and garter straps, are still more comfortable than my BDUs, which were ostensibly designed to be comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Wheeljack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@Wheeljack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheeljack)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/23 "2008-03-24T05:48:22Z")
[QUOTE=Peak Banana] I can’t find the knobs on my Winamp! Why can’t it just use a normal Windows interface already? [/QUOTE] [VLC, my friend.](http://www.videolan.org/vlc/) It even does Shoutcast, and it has a Firefox plugin that replaces Windows Media Player and Quicktime. In other words, it’s perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/24 "2008-03-24T06:24:58Z")
[QUOTE=Wheeljack] [VLC, my friend.](http://www.videolan.org/vlc/) It even does Shoutcast, and it has a Firefox plugin that replaces Windows Media Player and Quicktime. In other words, it’s perfect. [/QUOTE] if only it would actually work with the media buttons on my laptop instead of pointedly ignoring them. VLC is great, except for just minor interface things that made me dislike it and stick with MPC for videos (although I use WinAmp for audio stuff because the interface really doesn’t bug me too much, but to each his own). Actually, you COULD probably find a more user friendly winamp skin, but then, that’d be one more extra thing you’d have to do to make the program the way you want it to be, and it might just be easier to find another program that does that without the fuss. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/25 "2008-03-24T06:31:55Z")
[QUOTE=Raguleader] Actually, you COULD probably find a more user friendly winamp skin [/QUOTE] Well, it’s not like I haven’t \*looked \*for one. They’re all made by sadists with uncanny eyesight and bad taste. Anyway, if anyone has a link to one, feel free (though I didn’t really want to hijack the thread), as I’m afraid I’m not crazy about the VLC interface, either. A bit \*too \*spartan. And I use MPC for all video stuff. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/26 "2008-03-24T14:51:07Z")
I agree entirely regarding the Kindle. When it was first unveiled, I did a double-take. It looks straight out of 1989. It’s like something you’d find at the Goodwill amongst the giant old printers and monitors. I saw someone using one about a week ago, and it’s just as ugly in person. What on earth were they thinking? Also, while it was before my time, I’ve always been taken aback by how [hideous](http://www.csdm.qc.ca/pec/codes/atari2600.jpg) the Atari 2600 was. ---
**Author:** ![Wheeljack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@Wheeljack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheeljack)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/27 "2008-03-24T17:32:59Z")
Well, you have to remember that it was designed to match the television, which was all about the simulated wood at that time. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/28 "2008-03-24T17:39:07Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] They remind me somehow of German uniforms in _Hidden and Dangerous._ 😕 And the Honda Element is damned ugly. [/QUOTE] Yeah, but any car you can clean out with a hose, a leaf blower, and an incline is darn nice to have. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/29 "2008-03-24T17:47:04Z")
[QUOTE=Wheeljack] Well, you have to remember that it was designed to match the television, which was all about the simulated wood at that time. [/QUOTE] There’s a Doper around here who’s still a big fan of that look and refuses to buy any electronics that don’t have woodgrain stickers on the sides of them. I don’t remember who it is, but I presume that [this is what he drives.](http://www.ajga.org/newsletter/theajgalink/8-5-05/images/Truckster.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![miamouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@miamouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miamouse)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/30 "2008-03-24T18:50:33Z")
I know you meant consumer goods but… The new NYC logo. Has to be more designers concentrated here than anywhere else, and [this](http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/reviews-trickle-in-for-new-taxi-logo/) is what we get. It doesn’t say ‘culture’ or ‘cosmopolitan’ or anything else. The lines don’t match up to anything else I’ve seen it paired it with, because apparently, the idea was to have all of New York City’s departments start using it in conjunction with their own typeface of their choosing, and a styleguide from a big designer would apparently be just too much to ask for. It’s clunky and ugly and I hate it but still have to look at it 20 times a day on the subway and taxis, and correspondence from the bd of ed is carrying the logo too, so I know next is the house taxes and recycling announcements etc. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/31 "2008-03-24T19:01:33Z")
[QUOTE=Raguleader] Hey, these are the armed forces representing your country overseas, so you have a right to complain, although there are very good reasons for the uniform to look frumpy, namely comfort and functionality. That said, yeah, I wish we could wear our service uniforms a little more often too. For some bizzare reason, my service blues, which include a necktie and garter straps, are still more comfortable than my BDUs, which were ostensibly designed to be comfortable. [/QUOTE] The thing is, I hear from soldiers all the time that the new uniforms _suck_ - they rip out at the crotch! Evidently they’ve gotten a little bit better, but whose bright idea was that? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/32 "2008-03-24T19:27:49Z")
[QUOTE=Mullinator] [QUOTE=carnivorousplant] They remind me somehow of German uniforms in _Hidden and Dangerous._ 😕 And the Honda Element is damned ugly. [/QUOTE] Yeah, but any car you can clean out with a hose, a leaf blower, and an incline is darn nice to have. [/QUOTE] It’s not true that you can hose out a Honda Element. See [this column](http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/2005/April/04.html) from Car Talk from someone who tried this, but shorted out the airbag computer. Honda refused to pay, saying that they never intended the car’s floor to get soaked. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/33 "2008-03-24T20:28:16Z")
[QUOTE=Raguleader] Hey, these are the armed forces representing your country overseas, so you have a right to complain, although there are very good reasons for the uniform to look frumpy, namely comfort and functionality. That said, yeah, I wish we could wear our service uniforms a little more often too. For some bizzare reason, my service blues, which include a necktie and garter straps, are still more comfortable than my BDUs, which were ostensibly designed to be comfortable. [/QUOTE] BDU’s have a purpose, to be worn in the field. When mingling amongst civilians however, why can’t the other branches look more like [Marines](http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/images/blogs/marine-mascot-dog.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/34 "2008-03-24T20:37:31Z")
[QUOTE=miamouse] The new NYC logo. Has to be more designers concentrated here than anywhere else, and [this](http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/reviews-trickle-in-for-new-taxi-logo/) is what we get. [/QUOTE] Maybe it’s for very, very easily confused Bostonans who’re trying to find a way to get around? ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/35 "2008-03-24T20:46:08Z")
Chiming in as one who likes the Honda Element. The Scion Box is even growing on me. I also like the Chevy SSR, mostly because I like the idea of a convertible truck. Those are the two kinds of vehicles I’d like to own, but I don’t really want two cars… My vote is the Playstation 2. The original PS had nice obvious big round circles for buttons and pleasant lines. It was standard console-grey, but they all were at that time. The PS3 has that swoopy space-aged look to it. The second one looks like a giant chunk of heatsink, has little bitty buttons that are hard to see and use, and has both a power button _and_ a power switch, for everyone who wants to turn their video game on just to turn it on again. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/36 "2008-03-24T20:53:10Z")
The [Fiat Multipla](http://www.humans.com/pages/images/multipla.jpg) has got to be up there. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/37 "2008-03-24T21:06:18Z")
Am I the only person who had to google to find what an Amazon Kindle was? I initially joked about the Scion boxes as “clown cars.” But then I sat my 6’3" frame in one, and I’d be happy to spend plenty of time in such an ugly car. ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/38 "2008-03-24T21:23:32Z")
[QUOTE=Capt. Ridley’s Shooting Party] The [Fiat Multipla](http://www.humans.com/pages/images/multipla.jpg) has got to be up there. [/QUOTE] I was thinking of this when I saw the thread title. That is really marvelously ugly. The ugliest piece of electronics I own is the old [XBOX console](http://www.swemods.com/shop/images/Xbox.jpg). It’s not only ugly, but it’s big and heavy too. ---
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/39 "2008-03-24T21:49:55Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] BDU’s have a purpose, to be worn in the field. When mingling amongst civilians however, why can’t the other branches look more like [Marines](http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/images/blogs/marine-mascot-dog.jpg)? [/QUOTE] Them Marines suit looks very nice. For the other services, is the point of the camouflage (when not actually out in the outdoors) to disguise that the wo/men are wearing what could be confused for pajamas? (which is totally a fashion trend I can support 😃 ) An aside-navy camo: where the hell would that particular pattern be useful? If the sailors have to abandon ship and hide out in a mussel patch in Puget Sound? ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-shockingly-ugly-designs-in-successful-or-mainstream-products/442474/40 "2008-03-24T22:06:29Z")
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