We are surrounded by items, buildings, and even software that was designed one way or another. It tends to stick out when something is so poorly considered that we have to stop and wonder “what were they thinking?” Fortunately, most of the things around us conform to our expectations. A table is a table and a street sign is a street sign.

However, every once and a while, creative people make a novel take on a conventional object. So scroll down and enjoy this list of innovative and cool ideas people have made into reality. And if this article doesn’t scratch your awesome design itch, check out Bored Panda’s other collections here, here, and here. And if you want something a bit different, check out our list of terrible designs here.

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#1 Shark Culling Laws Poster

#2 Park Bench With Built In Shelter For The Homeless

#3 Convenient Simple Storage

If this list leaves you particularly inspired, maybe to make some changes around your own home, it can be helpful to approach an area holistically. Or, to put it another way, to have a comprehensive, unified plan. Keeping to the design tenants of a specific style can really help bring a space together and make it look more cohesive. Let’s take a look at Scandinavian design as an example.

First and foremost, think about local, natural materials. We associate Scandinavian furniture and houses with wood, no doubt harvested in some primeval pine forests. But the core idea is to use local materials to establish a sense of place and style. This extends to building techniques as well, as most traditional architecture is firstly functional. French doors do not help insulate a house while thatched roofs are probably too warm for southern climates.

#4 The ~spooky Forest~ Chandelier

#5 Child Safety Awareness Ad

#6 The Jacket I Just Got Has Tiny Skulls As The Zipper

Scandinavian design also prioritizes functionality, which is often, subtly, emphasized by the use of neutral colors. Small wonder that the creators of Lego would approach furniture with an eye for practicality. Sometimes this does express itself as a sort of minimalism as one might see in an Ikea catalog. But there are myriad examples of more decorative or flashy items made by acclaimed Scandinavian designers that are also in keeping with the style’s core tenants.

#7 Paint Sample Cubes, Instead Of Flat Swatches, So You Can See The Colors With Shadows

#8 Nicely Done, Barilla

#9 “Wear A Seatbelt” Ad

Design has also changed over the last century, with new styles coming and going. For example, the iconic Empire State building still stands out today as an Art Deco skyscraper among a forest of glass buildings. This style itself was a reaction to Art Nouveau which had been so popular at the turn of the century. While less ornate, Art Deco tended to use expensive materials like gold, and furniture in the style would feature exotic leathers like sharkskin.

#10 Drunk Driving Ad By Hyundai

#11 Oak Wood Imperial Staircase In Castel Savoia

#12 Shark Fin “Wet Floor” Caution Sign

Modern design principles are less constrained by form and materials, so the guiding philosophy focuses more on the user. Sometimes this is referred to as literally user-centric design, though some will also call it human-scale design. The core idea is to make everything intuitive at a glance, even if you have never seen an object before. Maybe you are familiar with the design principles of Don Norman or at least the Norman door. Imagine a door with no handle, just a metal plate. Naturally, since you know it’s a door, it must move to let a person pass through. So with no handle, your only option left is to push.