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When Icons Go Rogue: A Cautionary Tale in Instruction Design
Good iconography should make assembly instructions clearer—not unintentionally alarming. In this example, the designer appears to have reached for a simple cordless drill icon but accidentally selected something… far more dramatic. The result? A symbol that looks unmistakably like an Uzi sub machine gun. The mix-up creates a humorous moment, but it’s also a perfect reminder of why visual accuracy matters. A single misplaced icon can completely shift the tone of a design—from
Tom at KAPOW Creative
2 days ago1 min read


Beak design!
I stumbled across this clever juice carton design and couldn’t resist sharing it. Sadly I don't know anything more about it. The spout is perfectly integrated into a bird’s beak, turning an everyday moment—pouring your morning juice—into something fun and unexpected. It’s a brilliant example of how thoughtful, playful design can elevate even the simplest experience.
Tom at KAPOW Creative
3 days ago1 min read


Messages Crossed
Design Fail! Here’s a perfect example of how placement and layout can completely change the message. In both of these church signs, the use of the cross — meant as a powerful and sacred symbol — accidentally alters the intended meaning. For the TWA Church , the cross unfortunately stands in for the letter “T,” but when combined with the rest of the wordmark, it creates a whole new (and unfortunate) word. Meanwhile, the Jesus Cares sign accidentally turns into Jesus Scares
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Nov 61 min read


Tearable but far from Terrible design
Clever, simple, and unforgettable — this business card for Dubai-based fitness trainer Zohra Mouhetta nails its message with humor and impact. Designed by Leo Burnett Dubai in 2008, the card features a perforated edge right at the belly, inviting you to literally “lose the fat” by tearing it off. It’s a perfect example of concept-driven design where form and message align seamlessly — a small piece of paper that delivers a big punch. Proof that when creativity meets clarity,
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Nov 41 min read


Take a What?
Designers know that people read visuals as much as words — and sometimes, that can lead to unexpected (and hilarious) results. In this basketball game sign, the designer cleverly replaced the “O” in SHOT with a basketball going through a hoop. Conceptually solid! But visually, the hoop and ball form the shape of an “i,” accidentally turning the word into something quite different (and definitely not family-friendly). It’s a great reminder that legibility and interpretation
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Oct 231 min read


A Masterpiece of Movie Poster Design
James Jean ’s poster for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein absolutely stopped me in my tracks. It’s breathtaking—lush, haunting, and layered with meaning and beauty. In a design landscape long dominated by minimalism, this piece celebrates the richness of detail and storytelling through ornate, intricate composition. Every glance reveals something new. As someone who loves elaborate, narrative-driven design, this is everything I adore—romantic, mysterious, and deeply crafte
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Oct 221 min read


When “Wine” Turns Into “Urine” – The Importance of Testing Your Typography
Always check your sign design from a distance! At first glance, this sign has a great font choice—classy, on trend, and full of...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Sep 181 min read


When “Before & After” Goes Wrong
Sometimes a simple design slip can completely undermine a company’s message. Take this brick repair ad, for example. Instead of showing...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Sep 111 min read


McDonalds Fries Umbrella Stand
Sometimes the simplest ideas make the biggest impact. This McDonald’s display takes everyday yellow umbrellas and turns them into a...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Sep 91 min read


Spartan Golf Club Logo – A Masterclass in Hidden Meaning
Some logos are so clever in their simplicity that they continue to be celebrated years after their creation. The Spartan Golf Club logo,...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Aug 181 min read


Baking Up Brilliant: How Caribou Coffee Turned a Bus Shelter into a Giant Oven
In the dead of a Minnesota winter, this bus shelter turns up the heat—literally. Designed to resemble a giant oven, the shelter wraps...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Aug 111 min read


Why Side-by-Side Text Can Ruin Your Message
Today’s design fails are brought to you by… side-by-side text layouts. Remember: in English, we read left to right. When words and...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jul 171 min read


Logo Spotlight: KOI Thé
Some of the best logos are the simplest ones — easy to read, directly connected to the product or service, and memorable. The KOI Thé...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jul 141 min read


When F + Art = FART: A Typographic Cautionary Tale
Typography is powerful—but it also has the potential to backfire hilariously when not handled carefully. Here are three real-world design...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jun 261 min read


Kingfish Logo
We love a logo that nails simplicity while packing a clever punch. This design for Kingfish , created by Emil Hartwig, brilliantly...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jun 241 min read


Brilliant and tearable design.
Here's a brilliant example of design speaking louder than words. This business card for Yukon-based divorce lawyer James A.W. Mahon,...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Jun 91 min read


When Vehicle Wraps Go Wrong – Design Fails You Can Learn From
Designing a vehicle wrap is a fantastic way to advertise and make a mobile visual impact—but when not done right, the results can be...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
May 291 min read


Hair-Raising Creativity: A Subway Ad That Blows You Away
One of the most memorable ad campaigns comes from Sweden, dating back to 2014. To launch a new line of hair products, the brand ...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
May 131 min read


A Delightful Twist on Bike Parking at the Scottsdale Public Library
I stumbled upon a brilliantly whimsical piece of public design—a bike lock station that looks like a massive blue cable secured with...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Apr 291 min read


Plastic Bags Kill: A Visual Wake-Up Call from 2006 That Still Hits Hard Today
In 2006, BBDO Kuala Lumpur launched a striking campaign for Dragonet Diving that remains painfully relevant nearly two decades later. The...
Tom at KAPOW Creative
Apr 221 min read
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