awkward design

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awkward design" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a design that is clumsy, uncomfortable, or not user-friendly. Example: "The new website has an awkward design that makes it difficult for users to navigate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Froment stands out among his colleagues for his rather crude and unpolished style, marked by awkward design and lack of sensitivity to colour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In their 20s, they were not bothered by the four flights of stairs and the awkward design of their apartment: You have to walk through the bedroom to get to the living room.

The New York Times

He's not helped by Richard Hudson's awkward design - two slanted wooden platforms converging to impenetrable purpose - or by some fussy directorial points: masked and gowned figures glower round the stage, and leap on to it when anything morally dire occurs; smoke belches; drums beat like the pulse of a heart at climactic moments.

The Guardian

One of many problems: The awkward design requires a motor that is unnecessarily strong.

Forbes

The unique services and hard-to-find information provided by the PharMosaic Web site are hidden in the awkward design.

Science Magazine

Goodbye smartphone: Google Glass showed the potential of smart glasses, but awkward design plagued the first iteration.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But the earliest of the mainstream import models -- awkward designs like the Toyota Toyopet sedan and the boxy Honda N600 -- were ill-suited to the American market and hardly memorable.

The New York Times

Wearable tech jewellery is getting bigger in the fashion world, offering wearers a subtle, stylish way to upgrade their look without resorting to awkward designs.

Vice

Regrettably, Derek Birdsall's awkward book design -- more than 13 inches high and 2 inches thick but only 6 inches wide -- and the stiff paper it is printed on make the fascinating contents difficult to get to.

The New York Times - Books

PORSCHE The Boxster has been so successful as an entry-level model for Porsche that memories of awkward earlier designs like the 914 have almost faded.

The New York Times

The Museum of Modern Art lobby — that awkward space designed by the Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi — spans a city block, making it as much a thoroughfare as a museum entrance.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a design, be specific about why it's an "awkward design". Providing concrete examples, such as difficult navigation or inefficient use of space, strengthens your critique.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling a design as "awkward" without explaining the specific issues. This provides no useful feedback. Always elaborate on the design's shortcomings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awkward design" functions as a descriptive term, modifying a noun (design) to indicate its quality. Ludwig AI confirms that it is acceptable in written English. The adjective "awkward" characterizes the design as clumsy, uncomfortable, or difficult to use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awkward design" is used to describe designs that are clumsy, uncomfortable, or difficult to use. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in News & Media, it is also present in Academic and Wiki contexts. When using the phrase, it's best practice to provide specific examples of the design's shortcomings. Related phrases include "clumsy design", "unwieldy design", and "poorly conceived design". Avoid vagueness by explaining why a design is awkward, rather than simply labeling it as such.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clumsy design

Replaces "awkward" with a direct synonym, focusing on the lack of grace in the design.

unwieldy design

Emphasizes the difficulty in using or handling the design.

poorly conceived design

Highlights the flawed planning or conceptualization behind the design.

ill-conceived design

Similar to 'poorly conceived', but suggests a greater degree of error in the initial idea.

uncomfortable design

Focuses on the user's experience of unease or inconvenience with the design.

inelegant design

Highlights the lack of visual appeal or grace in the design.

problematic design

Indicates that the design presents difficulties or issues.

flawed design

Points out the existence of defects or imperfections in the design.

defective design

Suggests a more significant problem with the design, implying it doesn't function as intended.

uninspired design

Criticizes the design for lacking creativity or originality.

FAQs

How can I use "awkward design" in a sentence?

You can use "awkward design" to describe designs that are clumsy, uncomfortable, or difficult to use. For example: "The website's "awkward design" made navigation frustrating for users."

What are some alternatives to saying "awkward design"?

Alternatives include "clumsy design", "unwieldy design", or "poorly conceived design". The best choice depends on the specific aspect of the design you're criticizing.

Is it better to say "awkward design" or "bad design"?

"Awkward design" is more specific than "bad design". While "bad design" is a general criticism, "awkward design" suggests specific issues with usability, layout, or aesthetics. If you can identify why the design is awkward, use that term; otherwise, "bad design" may suffice.

What makes a design "awkward"?

An "awkward design" often involves features that are clunky, difficult to navigate, or aesthetically unappealing. It may also refer to a design that doesn't quite fit its intended purpose or that feels out of place in its context.