inelegant design
[ɪnˈɛlɪɡənt dɪˈzaɪn]
noun phrasepl: inelegant designs
design inelegante; projeto sem elegância
1. A design that lacks grace, refinement, or aesthetic appeal; a solution that is awkward, clumsy, or poorly executed in appearance or functionality
The software's user interface was criticized for its inelegant design with confusing navigation menus.
A interface do software foi criticada pelo seu design inelegante com menus de navegação confusos.
2. In technical contexts, a solution to a problem that works but is unnecessarily complex, inefficient, or poorly structured
The programmer's inelegant design required multiple workarounds and made maintenance difficult.
O design inelegante do programador exigiu múltiplos contornos e dificultou a manutenção.
3. An aesthetic or structural approach that violates principles of simplicity, harmony, or good taste
The building's inelegant design clashed with the surrounding modern architecture.
O design inelegante do edifício desentoava com a arquitetura moderna circundante.
The phrase 'inelegant design' is commonly used in both American tech culture and Brazilian professional contexts when criticizing poor user interface design, architecture, or code quality. In Brazil, it reflects the cultural value placed on 'jogo de cintura' (grace and refinement in problem-solving), while in the USA it's frequently heard in tech startup culture and design criticism. The term has become particularly prominent with the rise of user experience (UX) design discussions.
NYC Slang
fugly design; hot mess design; janky design
Related Idioms & Phrases
like a bull in a china shop (describing inelegant execution)
rough around the edges
not fit for purpose
a kludge (software engineering term for inelegant solution)
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