The cell gives observers a strong initial impression that it was intelligently designed.1, 2 (For example, see videos of touring the cell's machinery, of cell wrapping and DNA replication, and of flagellar assembly). This is relevant because the cell is a life-form.
[Forthcoming]
But so what if there were bad designs in life? Couldn't it simply be that…
• …a bad or supoptimal design can still give the strong appearance of design? (E.g. a poorly designed watch or car).
• …an originally optimal design was degraded?
• …an originally optimal design remains optimal, but for an environment that has changed?