Voxpop

Mark Porter has defended The Guardian’s decision to put functionality over aesthetic considerations when the paper relaunched its homepage last week. Did it deserve a more sympathetic response to its redesign?

First impressions – I like it. The new design makes the old homepage look tired and old. The new layout is clean but the homepage is too long and has too much info and too many links on it. I’m not sure where to look as I scroll down. A technically robust site is a good move as it will allow for greater flexibility as the design evolves. The use of video and other mediums available via a Web browser are also good for the future of the site.
Ryan Shelton, Design director, Mutado, and Co-founder, BD4D

It’ll probably get a more sympathetic response once its users get used to it. After all, Guardian readers are easy-going types who embrace change and new experiences, aren’t they? Personally, I’m more concerned that the crossword section is now subscriber-only. How am I supposed to sneak a quick look when I’m stuck on the Quick Crossword in the old-school paper version? While I’m here – does anyone know a six-letter word meaning ‘first-rate’, third letter ‘p’?
Michael Dorrian, Art director, Start Creative