From: James Edward Gray II <james@...>
Date: 2006-08-26T01:51:40+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby-Lang Redesign Feedback

On Aug 25, 2006, at 11:21 AM, Kyrre Nyg�rd wrote:

> Hello, I hope this feedback is of at least some value:
>
> On http://redhanded.hobix.com/redesign2005/
>
> The design metaphor of the new Ruby website should be  
> `usability' (which the existing website could easily fulfill if it  
> is subjected to some natural selection) and not `inexperienced  
> decoration' -- Ruby is the most usable programming language  
> available today so anything related to it should also shine with  
> usability all the way through, in order to keep Ruby's identity  
> consistent. Learn from the masters: http://www.nngroup.com
>
> The layout has a lot of uncontrolled gradients, which is completely  
> meaningless. It seems to have no other meaning rather than to `look  
> pretty', however it fails in that too -- I've asked a few trained  
> eyes and they feel the layout is structured like the workings of a  
> confused architecture student struggling through his first year,  
> and the gradient is bevelling out like a badly constructed 3D  
> animation. As a rule of thumb, when inexperienced designers try to  
> create advanced designs just to achieve that extra wow-factor, the  
> result will always be disappointing.
>
> Also, the big giant Ruby in the Ruby logo is way too much, isn't  
> it? A logo is meant to be `the world in compressed form' and should  
> be as minimal as possible and carry an intelligent twist which  
> makes it both cool and unique. Look at the book `Tres Logos' for  
> world class examples: http://www.die-gestalten.de/books/detail? 
> id=be0db8100aeaffa2010b1ef5c969002e

We look forward to your site design submission and will definitely  
evaluate the possibility of switching to it when it shows up.

James Edward Gray II