Everyone should now have the new Facebook design. I’ll get to my opinion in a moment, but there’s one thing the new design is: iPad (or other touch device) ready. You can love it or hate it but you can’t deny that.
At Inizio Creative, I wrote a post about how design will have to change according to these new handheld devices. You don’t necessarily have to read it (though, I’d selfishly love if you did) because it’s to the letter how the new Facebook functions.
Hovers are eradicated; images are reduced in size, texture and the page loads faster (< 2 seconds is impressive given all the junk they’ve loaded on the homepage); and there’s distinctive areas for double-touch zooming. Generally, the only Flash is their video player or unnecessary apps.
The design screams touch-interface-ready even though they’ll have their own improved iPad app in short order. Keep an eye out for more designs like this as sites slim themselves. Hopefully most will create beautiful, effective designs and user experiences.
Something Facebook has once again failed to accomplish.
Aesthetically, they have failed to improve themselves. The News Feed is still muddled and the ads to the right have actually increased in size, adding to the confusion. While the columns are clearly defined, the space between them is too thin.
The elements are just a hybridization of Facebook standard and Facebook Lite. This shortens the load time but doesn’t really impress. That is, unless you have no idea Facebook Lite exists* (and, I know it’s been awhile but you have read my take on it, right?), which is the majority.
But compared to usability, it can be aesthetically dazzling. The reorganization of some elements makes my neurons sob but there are some improvements here, which makes my liking the design somewhat justified.
First, the profile links. There are now four! ways to link to your profile. Why have a prominent link at the top right and then link both your name and have a link below it to “view your profile”? Then you link again under the “Account” drop-down? I know your users are now far older than three years ago, but that’s just ridiculous.
Second, why does video appear under “Photos”? Was it too difficult to create a “Media” item? Removing the bar, fixed to the bottom, that housed bookmarked links was long overdue but moving the elements to absurd places doesn’t help.
And finally, the left-hand navigation is brilliant. That it and the top bar are not fixed, I can chalk up to accessibility (though I shouldn’t, because an IE-specific CSS would do the job just as well) but it being there is outstanding. That navigation (aside from motion images being under still images) is the only marginal improvement.
Generally, Facebook has never been able to really improve their product. They’ve added features but never spent the time to make them fully useful, deciding instead to add others. Their platform is jumbled and they’ve completely turned around on their privacy stance.
The design, with all it’s lack of improvement or actual insight, just reflects the company and product as a whole. It may not be surprising, but that’s still slightly disappointing.
* Which is sad, considering it’s great for those that just want the quick updates and not all the farming, gang violence or quiz show nonsense most users find necessary to the Facebook experience.
Photo courtesy TechCrunch
Tags: design, interactive design, social tools