50 Times Designers Deserved A Raise For Their Genius Ideas (New Pics)

Good, well-thought-out craftsmanship tends to click intuitively—typically, you instantly know whether a thing has beendesigned well. You look at it, you use it, and you can tell if it feels natural or if something’s off, even if you can’t put your finger on exactly why. Though the world is full of blunders and misfires, there are also lots ofbrilliantexamples of products, furniture, graphics, and packages.

Bored Pandareached out to Matt Johnson, PhD, to learn about the importance of product aesthetics, as well as getting the intended message across better through graphics and packaging. He was kind enough to answer our questions, and you’ll find our interview with him below. Johnson is a marketing psychology expert specializing in topics such asconsumer psychologyandserendipity.

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Johnson noted that product aesthetics play a “surprisingly significant role” in consumer behavior. They often influence decisions in ways that people don’t consciously realize.“Our brains are wired to respond to beauty—when a product is visually appealing, it activates reward centers, creating a positive emotional response. This initial impression can set the tone for how we evaluate the product’s functionality, quality, or even value. Importantly, aesthetics can also build trust; a well-designed product suggests care and attention to detail, which we subconsciously associate with reliability,” themarketing psychology experttold Bored Panda in an email.“However, the effect of aesthetics goes beyond attraction—it also plays into self-expression. People often choose products that align with their personal style or identity, making aesthetics a critical driver in everything from impulse buys to brand loyalty. In essence, aesthetics aren’t just about looking good; they tap into deep psychological needs, shaping how we connect with what we buy.”

Johnson noted that product aesthetics play a “surprisingly significant role” in consumer behavior. They often influence decisions in ways that people don’t consciously realize.

“Our brains are wired to respond to beauty—when a product is visually appealing, it activates reward centers, creating a positive emotional response. This initial impression can set the tone for how we evaluate the product’s functionality, quality, or even value. Importantly, aesthetics can also build trust; a well-designed product suggests care and attention to detail, which we subconsciously associate with reliability,” themarketing psychology experttold Bored Panda in an email.

“However, the effect of aesthetics goes beyond attraction—it also plays into self-expression. People often choose products that align with their personal style or identity, making aesthetics a critical driver in everything from impulse buys to brand loyalty. In essence, aesthetics aren’t just about looking good; they tap into deep psychological needs, shaping how we connect with what we buy.”

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Bored Panda also wanted to get to grips with how designers who work with graphics and packaging can get their message across better. The important thing here, according to Johnson, is to focus on the essentials.“Graphic and packaging design is all about creating an immediate connection with the consumer, and the brain plays a big role in how these designs are perceived. Simplicity and clarity are key—our brains are wired to process visual information quickly, so designs that are clean and focused tend to be more effective,” he said.“Color psychology is another powerful tool; specific colors can evoke emotions and associations that align with the product’s message. For instance, green often signals health or sustainability, while red conveys urgency or excitement. It’s worth noting that while some of these associations appear to be universal, others are culturally contingent. It’s important, therefore, for the designer to carefully consider the audience when making these color and design choices,“Johnsonexplained the importance of cultural context.“Additionally, leveraging visual hierarchy—using size, contrast, and placement to guide attention—helps ensure the most important elements stand out. Designers should also consider how the design feels emotionally; tactile elements, like embossing or texture, can create a memorable sensory experience. Ultimately, the best designs balance functionality with an emotional hook, making the product both intuitive and irresistible.”

“Graphic and packaging design is all about creating an immediate connection with the consumer, and the brain plays a big role in how these designs are perceived. Simplicity and clarity are key—our brains are wired to process visual information quickly, so designs that are clean and focused tend to be more effective,” he said.

“Color psychology is another powerful tool; specific colors can evoke emotions and associations that align with the product’s message. For instance, green often signals health or sustainability, while red conveys urgency or excitement. It’s worth noting that while some of these associations appear to be universal, others are culturally contingent. It’s important, therefore, for the designer to carefully consider the audience when making these color and design choices,“Johnsonexplained the importance of cultural context.

“Additionally, leveraging visual hierarchy—using size, contrast, and placement to guide attention—helps ensure the most important elements stand out. Designers should also consider how the design feels emotionally; tactile elements, like embossing or texture, can create a memorable sensory experience. Ultimately, the best designs balance functionality with an emotional hook, making the product both intuitive and irresistible.”

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Technologies and aesthetics change, consumer preferences and cultural attitudes shift, but no matter how much time passes, some design philosophies continue to stand the test of time.For example, German industrial designer Dieter Rams, who has had a profound impact on the world of design, is still relevant with his ideas and approaches today. Some ideas are simply fundamental.Designer Rams came up with his 10 principles of good design which are sometimes known as the 10 commandments of design. Rams saw truly good design as innovative, making a product useful and understandable, aesthetic, unobtrusive, honest, long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and thorough down to the last detail.And, lastly, good design should—paradoxically—involve as little design as possible.

Technologies and aesthetics change, consumer preferences and cultural attitudes shift, but no matter how much time passes, some design philosophies continue to stand the test of time.

For example, German industrial designer Dieter Rams, who has had a profound impact on the world of design, is still relevant with his ideas and approaches today. Some ideas are simply fundamental.

Designer Rams came up with his 10 principles of good design which are sometimes known as the 10 commandments of design. Rams saw truly good design as innovative, making a product useful and understandable, aesthetic, unobtrusive, honest, long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and thorough down to the last detail.

And, lastly, good design should—paradoxically—involve as little design as possible.

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That last bit—about how designers should design less—is essential. At the core of ideas that balance function and form, you’ll often find simplicity.There’s a high level of self-editing and refinement involved where you let go of what is, basically, clutter. Of course, there’s no arguing about taste, but over-designed products can either end up looking like works of art that barely function, or they have so many functions it’s unclear what they even do. Less really is more. And from a creative perspective, it takes a lot of courage and discipline to throw out the fluff.

That last bit—about how designers should design less—is essential. At the core of ideas that balance function and form, you’ll often find simplicity.

There’s a high level of self-editing and refinement involved where you let go of what is, basically, clutter. Of course, there’s no arguing about taste, but over-designed products can either end up looking like works of art that barely function, or they have so many functions it’s unclear what they even do. Less really is more. And from a creative perspective, it takes a lot of courage and discipline to throw out the fluff.

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The online community that we’re featuring was created way back in mid-2011. Over the past 13+ years, it grew from strength to strength. Currently, there are a jaw-dropping 2.3 million members on the subreddit.It’s a testament not only to the fact that people like looking at unusual and aesthetic things, but also thatcreativityand quality—when done truly right—will always find an audience.The moderators who make sure that the group runs smoothly explain that it’s a space to share “amazing design images,” as well as renderings and models.Everyone’s encouraged to post high-quality pics of interesting designs, including—but not limited to—architectural, graphic, industrial, furniture, and product designs.

It’s a testament not only to the fact that people like looking at unusual and aesthetic things, but also thatcreativityand quality—when done truly right—will always find an audience.

The moderators who make sure that the group runs smoothly explain that it’s a space to share “amazing design images,” as well as renderings and models.

Everyone’s encouraged to post high-quality pics of interesting designs, including—but not limited to—architectural, graphic, industrial, furniture, and product designs.

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However, this is not an art-focused community. For instance, even though gorgeous and painstakingly created artwork and sculptures are a pleasure to look at, they’re a better fit for other communities. When you create an online group, it’s important to carve out a niche for yourself and to be consistent with it.

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Doing a bit of everything can be fun for you, but your audience likes to know what they’re in for. So, it only makes sense that a design-focused community focuses on… design!It’s what keeps groups like this one popular and active years and decades after they’re created. That, and a group of hard-working volunteers who help moderate the entire thing.

Doing a bit of everything can be fun for you, but your audience likes to know what they’re in for. So, it only makes sense that a design-focused community focuses on… design!

It’s what keeps groups like this one popular and active years and decades after they’re created. That, and a group of hard-working volunteers who help moderate the entire thing.

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The subreddit’s name, which we can’t directly mention here, is an artifact from the days when the internet was a very different place: naming conventions were laxer, users were more at ease with sarcasm and irony, others enjoyed being super edgy and maybe took themselves a little bit less seriously, and everyone was less worried about being censored on the internet.Now, things are far more strict online, leaving less room for jokes and weirdly-titled groups. The silver lining? No matter what a group is called, the proof is in the pudding: quality content is quality content.

Now, things are far more strict online, leaving less room for jokes and weirdly-titled groups. The silver lining? No matter what a group is called, the proof is in the pudding: quality content is quality content.

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We’re huge fans of design, dear Pandas, so if you have a moment, we’d absolutely love to hear which of these pics you enjoyed the most. Which designs did you personally think were the most creative?

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