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The pleasures of poor product design

inconspicuous.info

March 18, 2026

11 min read

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Summary

Katerina Kamprani's project, The Uncomfortable, focuses on intentionally poorly designed everyday objects to highlight the often-overlooked aspects of good design. The project aims to provoke thought about the design process and the functionality of common items.

Key Takeaways

Katerina Kamprani's project, The Uncomfortable, focuses on designing deliberately inconvenient everyday objects to highlight the importance of good design.
The project began in 2011 and has gained significant attention in Europe, featuring over a dozen exhibitions.
Kamprani's designs include familiar forms that are intentionally impractical, challenging traditional notions of utility and aesthetics.
She continues to create new designs, albeit at a slower pace, and has produced around 50 to 60 pieces since the project's inception.

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AI's tendency to create designs that are 'almost but not quite right' highlights its unique capability to explore unconventional ideas, which can lead to innovative outcomes.