Sometimes It’s a Lack of Resources, Sometimes It’s a Designer’s Oversight

In either case, appropriation is such a widespread phenomenon that the process of creating a product cannot ignore it. Appropriation is not just a fascinating quirk of human behavior—it’s a lens through which we can better understand user needs, resourcefulness, and even flaws in design.

In the art world, appropriation refers to taking an existing object and placing it in a new context, often without significant modification. This process transforms the mundane into something extraordinary: an old urinal becomes a centerpiece of modern art, and a borrowed image reimagines a familiar story. The meaning of the object changes simply because it’s used differently.

In the design world, we use the term appropriation to describe something slightly different: when a product is used in a way that diverges from its intended purpose.

Take the photo above, for example. It was taken in the ultra-modern office of a major international company, a space designed with sleek minimalism and functionality in mind. Yet even here, employees found themselves creatively repurposing objects. In the absence of a microwave, they resorted to warming their lunches on the hot surfaces of coffee machines. This is a perfect example of appropriation—turning what’s available into a makeshift solution to meet a need.

Appropriation in Everyday Life

If you look around, you’ll see countless examples of appropriation happening all the time. A jacket hanging on the back of a chair because there’s no coat rack nearby. A bag hooked onto a doorknob for lack of better storage. A book being used as a phone stand during a video call. These are everyday acts of creativity, born out of necessity or convenience.

But appropriation isn’t always so lighthearted. Sometimes, it exposes the limitations or even dangers of a product when used outside its intended purpose. A classic example is the cotton swab: widely used for cleaning ear canals despite the warnings of ENT specialists. The result? A product that feels satisfying to use but can inadvertently cause harm.

This duality of appropriation—both as a creative workaround and as a potential risk—makes it a critical consideration in design.

Anticipating Appropriation

For designers, appropriation isn’t just an interesting phenomenon; it’s a challenge and an opportunity. Anticipating how users might repurpose a product can lead to innovations that save lives or prevent harm.

Consider the tiny holes added to plastic bags and pen caps. These weren’t part of the original designs but were later introduced to address a critical safety concern: children accidentally swallowing these items. Those small holes now allow air to pass through, reducing the risk of suffocation. This is design responding to appropriation, not resisting it.

But appropriation isn’t only about addressing resource shortages like a missing microwave or a coat rack. Sometimes, it’s a way for users to circumvent flaws embedded in the original design itself. If a product doesn’t fully meet a user’s needs, they’ll find ways to fill the gaps—repurposing, modifying, or hacking it to make it work better for them.

The Designer’s Role in Appropriation

Understanding and planning for appropriation is one of the more complex tasks in design. It requires empathy, creativity, and a deep understanding of the contexts in which products are used. Appropriation shows us that design doesn’t end when a product is released; it continues to evolve in the hands of its users.

A great design isn’t just one that works as intended—it’s one that can adapt to the unexpected, embracing the ingenuity of the people who use it. Whether addressing safety risks, providing flexibility, or simply allowing for delightful re-use, anticipating appropriation turns a good product into a thoughtful one.