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The good, the Bad and the King

Google largest website on the planet (maybe of the universe)  might be on the verge of a quiet redesign. Currently on test, not everything will make it to the final release, but there’s no way I’m not looking into what might be the biggest “unnoticed change” this year.

Google is well known for its common sense approach and clever usability design. (They basically offer a text box on a white background). And beside the unstoppable amount of new applications released daily. The king of search hasn’t really changed anything in its core design.

So what will the new google be made of? Let’s find out.

Well let’s start with Clint Eastwood aka the good:

Big buttons

• I’m not talking about the web 2.0 gradient, but about the fact that they are BIG, BLUE and CONTRAST heavily with the background.  You can’t miss them.

• You’ll note also the labeling (see below for more details on that), is “google search”. Can you make it any clearer?

Clearer:

• Well it’s very clear, for some reason, even more than the current version. The main logo has a very light shadow=less noise, more focus.
• The search terms are now bold in the search box. Making it quite clear what was our search terms.

• The results page has moved all the option on the right side: A new column. Yes. | The Amount of results has moved to the right side of the search box, letting the search term flowing naturally with its search results.
  That makes for a nice sense of unity and clarity

Labelling that works

• First and foremost; you search for “Everything”. And that’s just what the default option is. You don’t search for default, you search for everything.
• Well if you want to know more, you click more. If it’s too much, you click less. The state of the label is easy to follow, and require no brain power. I like that.
• Show or hide search tools… the list goes on.

Watch out, a column

• As you noticed there is a column that regroups all the search options so bye bye the top menu. The column as also some fancy icons (see the bad) but it’s structural importance is can be huge. At present, not all related searches are using this new design, but I feel that a la Gmail, a nice border integration between the left column and the center can increase easily the usability of that page.

Well, now what would be a good with out is Bad:

The bad

• Why Icons? They are too small and offer no real value. They are not ugly per se, but their size makes them illegible, thus useless. They just creates more noises to some very easy and straightforward labels.
• Why the use of Web 2.0 gradient? It’s not ugly really,; but it’s dated and overused. Google seems to be following the trend now rather than setting the tone. I do admit though that their moto to Engage beginners and attract experts might warrant the look of those buttons, experts will easily look beyond that point.
• That’s about it, really

The King?

I’m don’t have my crystal ball handy, but well I’m pretty sure that google won’t alienate a lot of people with that redesign (if it goes through).
It’s still very clear and straight to the point. “You search, we get you results” and add a few little nice treats along the way. (Search by timeline, Image and page, etc…).

With Microsoft Bing! pushing hard to get some share, google redesign is a very welcomed initiative and it’s feels good to see that the king of search hasn’t forgotten its core function. Search. (click it’s funny, as in Nerd funny, I swear)

What do you  think of that redesign ?