I’m a bit late here, but the new design hasn’t rolled out yet.
CNET’s decision to announce a coming redesign ahead of time is admirable. It shows a new respect for how disruptive change can be to an existing audience.
Current CNET logo, in context
New CNET logo, in context (proposed)
I have a few comments, but IANAD (I am not a designer).
- New logo drops the pipe ( | ) between the letters c and n: +1
About time! Few things confused the brand more than that pipe. - Sticking with all lower-case letters in logo, as cnet: -1
I appreciate the nod to the original (and current) logo, but grab the chance to change to all caps, CNET, like every single text reference in the last several years. - Logo is updated, making the red ball more obviously a ball: +1
I wasn’t sure about this change, but when I went back to compare, I realized how flat and dated the existing red ball logo looks… and the glow behind the current red ball isn’t fantastic. - Color scheme drops yellow and green: -1
Yellow and green are signature, just like the red ball. Both colors have been toned down, appropriately, over the years. Dropping them altogether? Well, if it weren’t in favor of a color scheme straight out of Axe body care products, I’d probably find it more acceptable. - Header is taller: -1
Only reason is to fit a leaderboard advertisement. That’s the business, of course, but… sigh.
The best news? These are just opinions about the skin. That matters, but the content inside the skin still decides whether I read or not. And I continue to, mostly via the News.com RSS feeds (choose one) and occasional email newsletters (subscribe).
Note: as someone who’s led previous site redesigns at CNET, I’m not throwing stones from afar. I can only imagine the internal discussions. I hope the transition goes well, whether with the demonstrated changes or some additional nips and tucks.