MikeAug 27 2009 4:05 AM
Let it be, let it be, let it be...
pengAug 27 2009 4:59 AM
It should be obvious the site is about zero-aesthetics, no matter what atrocities it causes for the user experience.Craigslist is the anti-brand and that\'s how people recognize it, as an anti-corporation that (from the looks of it) has no designer or brand guru on its payroll. Attempts to start customizing fonts and colors and make it look like the NYTimes will probably backfire and communicate something along the lines of \"We\'re going public. Buy our stock.\"
Danny ZevallosAug 27 2009 10:07 AM
I agree with SimpleScott. Just make it easier on the eyes and easier to find content.
Always a fan of Vinh\'s work.
Studio8 solution just spells out disaster!Sorry for the double post but I thought I should share Ryan Sims redesigning of Craigslist:
http://thebignoob.com/posts/craigslist-design-eye-for-the-list-guy/
http://craigslist.thebignoob.com/
http://craigslist.thebignoob.com/listings.htmlNate TharpAug 27 2009 10:46 AM
That was my biggest complaint about the article, that they didn\'t include the original 2006 redesign by Design Eye team, which is still the best one out there from my perspective.
Kottke found the best line in the whole piece though. http://kottke.org/09/08/no-meetings-at-craigslistMichael LynchAug 27 2009 11:54 AM
Great post! I love Craigslist. I have sold a few things there and have gotten 3 full time jobs using their Jobs section. I have also found several bands there that I have joined over the years.
The only design worth entertaining here is SimpleScott\'s and he said it best, \"why fix what isn\'t broken?\" His design would ease the transition and I am confident long time users would appreciate it for it\'s similarity.
Never prioritize a website design over the UX unless it is a portfolio website or some sort of gallery. Craigslist is anything but.JimboAug 27 2009 12:16 PM
Yeah, the omission of the Design Eye team\'s effort shows Wired\'s lack of research or regard for the issue. While Craig Newmark may have a subscription to the mag, the SXSW event actually presented to a panel that included Craig, if I\'m not mistaken. If Wired had looked into this, they would have learned that Craig barely reacted to the presentation and wholly disregarded the suggestions and offers. They even included a mobile/app component before the iPhone had even hit the scene hard!
J.B.Aug 27 2009 2:26 PM
Next thing you know they will \"redesigning\" Drudge Report...
kramerAug 27 2009 2:57 PM
I want to see someone replicate these (or similar) designs via greasemonkey scripts.
Jeff LAug 27 2009 4:37 PM
Jimbo,
You are not mistaken. I was in the audience for that panel, as was Craig Newmark, and it was a good presentation of the process they went through to do the redesign. Craig seemed less than interested.BelindaAug 27 2009 4:45 PM
As much as I love the Web 2.0 style of design, I don\'t really like the idea of redesigning Craigslist. By now, almost 15 years later, any design change would be a sea change. The way it is now is iconic, in a way.
MoeAug 28 2009 5:24 AM
Some mix and match between \"SimpleScott\" & \"Khoi Vinh\" designs should do the job.
I like what Khoi Vinh did from changing a generic \"My Account\" to \"My Craiglist\" more of a brand centric element.
good post!kixvixAug 28 2009 5:52 AM
I also agree with SimpleScott. The beauty of Craigslist is its simplicity. At first, when you visit it, it\'s like, what\'s with all the links? But after you skim through them, it\'s already easy to figure out how they\'re organized.
Interesting post. Cheers!Laurent LaSalleAug 29 2009 5:54 PM
Khoi Vinh\'s design is by far the best IMO, and I think they should seriously consider evolving graphicly...
RyanAug 30 2009 3:28 PM
#1 - SimpleScott - color changes improve the site ten-fold.
#2 - Khoi Vinh - master of simple layouts, solid design.
#3 - Studio 8 - really? I mean...really?cristelaSep 1 2009 12:18 PM
Funny... I don\'t mind the 90\'s look... its kind of nostalgic, no?
DhaneSep 4 2009 12:42 PM
The NY Times version is the coolest. SimpleScott has a Web 2.0 feel to it, but overall I think the NY Times team did the best job in upgrading the look and feel without taking away the key features that makes Craigslist, Craigslist.
Matt ConventeSep 5 2009 2:38 AM
My thought of craigslist\'s text-only design always stemmed from an overlooked aspect of a website: bandwidth costs.If you add fancy graphics, that takes up a lot of bandwidth, especially with craigslist\'s traffic.This may be a main reason CL has stuck with its current design so far, but with increased revenue, perhaps they can invest in a more user-friendly site and deal with increased bandwidth costs.
MarkSep 6 2009 6:33 PM
\"Why does it still feel like the ’90s?\"
Um, because they want it that way. FYI, the \'90s were awesome...Derrick Marcus DanielsonSep 6 2009 6:57 PM
I dislike all three of the options presented here in favor of the existing design and accompanying user experience.Craigslist is what it is in large part because of how it looks.There is _no_ compelling reason to change that.It\'s remarkable how simple the site is to use once you become familiar with its affordances.
thegeniusSep 6 2009 6:58 PM
Actually I like the original, then only thing that could change is an in page ad description, ajax, etc.. sometimes too mucho change isn\'t better
If it ain\'t broke don\'t fix itSep 6 2009 7:56 PM
I find it work best the way it is. Fast and simple. Although if they could upgrade their search index, it could be better.
DouglasSep 6 2009 8:19 PM
Why do all the redesigns reduce focus on the content? Isn\'t that what Craigslist is all about?
Tim DorrSep 6 2009 8:29 PM
I don\'t care that you used it, but mind attributing the photo in the header to me :)
Mike TempletonSep 7 2009 1:12 AM
Tribe.net followed craigslist and succeeded until it was redesigned to attempt to attract a new crowd by changing the basic functionality of the site. Hardwired habits using CL or social networking sites are often what keeps people coming back... habit and familiarity. Nothing is broken, don\'t fix it
Brandon S AdkinsSep 8 2009 2:17 AM
Wow.
I followed the links, and Pentagram\'s idea is absolutely horrible. It is a disgrace to interactive design, a middle finger towards usability. Were they really being serious? Are they THAT clueless about the web?jackSep 8 2009 2:03 PM
It\'s not anti-brand; it\'s just working fine-thank-you.
Nothing wrong with making it more readable, though. Jakob Nielsen is dated; blue links suck my ass.NicolasSep 10 2009 12:35 PM
Do we really need to touch the only remaining hyperlink site with our 2.0 wand. In imagination it\'s fun to envision it in different way, but realistically I believe leaving it\'s design as is will remain one of it\'s core strengths.
NatalieBSep 17 2009 3:57 PM
Khoi and SimpleScott have the right idea. The massive mess of links are still there - they just don\'t hurt your eyes and it\'s more intuitive (and less frightening) for a first time user. The first time I saw this site I got dizzy. User experience is important. It IS broke...fix it. God forbid a competing company comes along and actually hires a designer.
Jason SchwartzSep 25 2009 12:20 PM
Khoi Vinh\'s redesign is really nice.
The main gripe from everyone is that the site feels old. There are really a few issues, CSS and styling, usability, and overall functionality of site.
If done right, developing a more modern CSS scheme would hopefully improve the site usability, but in terms of functionality, I don\'t think Craigslist really wants to get \"sponsored ads\" and personal picks up front.
I\'d love to see it if they were.andyRespireOct 1 2009 1:57 AM
Scott & Vinh\'s designs are great.
Studio8 is too drastic, though I do like use of photos (I rarely buy from CrList w/o photo. My sales get quick responses w/ photos.)
@DZevallos: agree! saw Sim\'s redesign early \'08 - great.
http://thebignoob.com/posts/craigslist-design-eye-for-the-list-guy/ http://craigslist.thebignoob.com/
Is he now marketing his design as this?:
http://www.whitelabelapps.com/classifieds
Pentegram\'s design: obviously satire.
They\'re saying \"Craig, you\'re standing in the way of innovation & progression. Your arrogance is the very reason we are having this ridiculous conversation. It\'s all about you, baby *middle finger salute*.\"
Great post!!