1
Okay, let’s just get this out of the way: on this, the verge of a new year, the Verge got a redesign. Now the punnery is over and we can get on with our lives. It had to be done, or I could not call myself a writer.
So let’s get to the good bit: this is what it looked like before:
It should be noted that the previous version actually had some pictures. The screenshot is courtesy of the WayBack machine, which doesn’t seem to store background images.
And this is what it looks like now:
It’s more than a simple visual refresh. An entirely new design system (dubbed “Pathways”) has been brought into play. Like many other design systems these days, it’s intended to be used on the website, in video motion graphics, and even in print design. Another part of the redesign is a heavy investment in photography. The old days of putting gradients over an average stock photo are out.
Other changes include:
- A significant performance boost
- Some small changes to the logotype, in an effort to clean it up
- A back end overhaul to Vox Media’s CMS, Chorus
- Tons of smaller changes and updates to… everything.
But now, the big questions: why did they redesign the site in the first place, and did that redesign accomplish its goal? Well, according to the new mission statement, there’s going to be a renewed focus on writing about technology, and how it’s shaping the future. If that was the focus of this redesign as well, then I’d say they did it.
The new design makes one reminisce a bit about the ’80s mostly-hopeful style of sci-fi. Well, either that, or it will bring back painful memories of neon everything. In any case, it looks good, and it works well. The rest is up to the content.
eBay Unveils the Evo Brand System Playbook
eBay has introduced the Evo Brand System Playbook, a robust, 280-page guide designed to unify and elevate its global brand identity while fostering flexibility across its markets. The playbook, which…
The 10 Best Logos of 2023 – Ranked
We’ve witnessed a plethora of exciting logo designs in 2023. Some have been absolutely awful (we’ll miss you, Twitter). Others have been incredible and a much-needed breath of fresh air…
Everything You Need to Know About Image Formats In 2024
With the world around us becoming increasingly visual, it’s essential that the modern-day designer has a firm grasp on file formats. From PSDs and PDFs to BMPs and SVGs, every…
Weekly Design News #2
7 Important Visual Hierarchy Design Principles 2023 This article discusses the most important visual hierarchy design principles that new designers need to follow if they want their app interfaces or…
Weekly Design News #1
Every Sunday we’re rounding up the best of the previous week’s stories from webdesignernews.com, and in this issue #1, we picked typography trends, creating a parallax slider with Anime.js, and…
Elon Musk calls LinkedIn ‘Cringe’—Announces Competitor
It seems we can’t go for one week without talking about Elon Musk, but the news simply writes itself. In a recent post, The Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI owner announced…