Originally posted over 6 years ago by Cameron Rohani
Sometimes design fails can be as entertaining as design wins. A quirky meme circulating on Reddit caught Cameron Rohani’s eye, prompting him to share it on Designer News. The meme features a series of outrageously impractical and absurd volume slider designs—each one more offbeat than the last. From a “horizontal slider in a vertical bar” to a “Catapult Volume Slider,” and even a “Physics engine slider,” the collection is a humorous look at how everyday controls could be reinvented in the most convoluted ways.
A Look at the “Worst” Volume Sliders
The meme playfully lists an array of volume control ideas:
- Horizontal Slider in Vertical Bar
- Catapult Volume Slider
- IRL Noise Matching Volume Controls
- Physics Engine Slider
- Geolocation-Based Slider
- Dice, Target Practice, Guitarhero, Curl
- Laptop Lid
- Radio Buttons 1 – 100
- + more…
Each proposed design is intentionally absurd, evoking the “why would anyone design it that way?” reaction that many in the community know all too well.
Community Reactions
The responses were overwhelmingly enthusiastic and humorous:
- Pure Joy:
Tony W exclaimed, “I LOVE THIS!” while Tim Silva appreciated the creativity, remarking, “these are all so creatively awful. Hard to pick a favorite. The first and last are tied in my book.” - Comparisons to Other Threads:
Lucas Lazaro compared the meme to other “worst design” threads, recalling the infamous “worst phone number forms” thread with a chuckle. - Favorite Picks and Creative Inspiration:
Some commenters couldn’t decide on a favorite. Kurtis Morrison mentioned leaning towards the one that “makes a noise as loud as you want the volume to be,” while Nathan Cooper even joked about turning the idea into a skee-ball-style game where “100(%) would be the easiest, and Mute would be the most difficult.” - Links and Origins:
Jonathan Svärdén pointed out that the first slider might be a real product, linking to the original Reddit thread, while Cameron later provided the proper link for those interested in the source of the meme. - Overall Impact:
The post not only amused readers but also sparked discussions about design creativity and the balance between functionality and whimsical innovation. Some saw it as a lighthearted reminder that sometimes, even in the realm of UI design, a little absurdity can inspire new ideas.
Final Thoughts
This meme serves as a playful exploration of how everyday interface elements could be reimagined—often with hilarious results. While these volume sliders might never find their way into real products, they highlight the creative spirit of designers and the fun that can be found in even the most mundane aspects of digital design.
Whether you’re laughing at the absurdity or finding inspiration in the unconventional, memes like these remind us that design can be both a serious discipline and a playground for creativity.
