A Norman Door, named after design expert Don Norman, is a door that confuses users due to its design elements. These doors visually signal incorrect usability, often leading to the need for special signage to clarify how they work. Norman Doors can be opened by pushing, pulling, or sliding. The handle and the word “push” in adjacent positions create this confusion. The handle suggests pulling the door towards the user, while the word “push” implies the opposite. So, yes, a door with a handle that requires pushing instead of pulling is an example of a bad design!
A more up to date version can be found on Wiki pages – The Design of Everyday Things.