👉 Junk engineering, also known as "design junk," refers to unnecessary or superfluous elements in a product's design that do not contribute to its functionality, performance, or user experience. These elements can include redundant features, excessive complexity, or parts that serve no practical purpose. While they may be included to meet regulatory requirements, impress stakeholders, or satisfy market trends, junk engineering often leads to increased costs, reduced efficiency, and a poorer user experience. In essence, it represents design choices that prioritize aesthetics or other non-functional goals over the core objectives of the product, ultimately detracting from its value and effectiveness.
