Unpleasant Design – Explainer Animation

Concept, research, sound-design:
Lukas Rabensteiner

Concept, research:
Lorena Beste

Concept, additional animation, voice-over:
Gernot Diepold

Concept, illustration, animation:
Hannah Dornan

This illustrated animation sheds light on hidden design elements in public spaces, such as screws on steps or spikes on window sills, that are deliberately used to exclude certain groups of people and animals. Rather than solving problems, unpleasant design pushes people out of society’s view. The video questions the motives and consequences of such designs, examines the individuals behind them, and explores why social issues are being displaced rather than addressed.