The thing about GMail is that I always knew that there was something wrong, but couldn't exactly say what.
After your baseline "refactoring", I understand why!
Nice!
Ian
· 1 year ago
Proof that the difference really is in the detail. Gmail follows a particular trend with Google where their apps seem to look like they were designed by developers rather than designers. They obviously aren't putting Doug Bowman and co to good use. :)
It's a good example though of how vertical rhythm can really help with the alignment and feel of a page. Something that I keep meaning to include with my own work.
Great examples Dan. Hopefully someone at Google will take notice. By the way, how'd the interview with Google go? :)
Colin Devroe
· 1 year ago
I'm a Mail.app guy myself. But, if Gmail was designed by either you or Khoi, I may have switched a long time ago. ;)
Noel Hurtley
· 1 year ago
Awesome work Dan. Hopefully someone at Google has seen this!
Dan Rubin
· 1 year ago
@Colin: Yeah yeah, I know better than to believe it ;)
@Noel: thanks - they have, actually, just over a year ago when I presented these comps as part of my interview process. I can only speculate of course on the problems that exist within Google's structure with regards to design (with Doug and staff on hand they certainly aren't lacking in the talent area), but they clearly have issues making progress in the design area.
It's an engineering-focused company, so although disappointing from the outside, ultimately it's not a surprise.
Jambe
· 1 year ago
You'd think they'd act on it given how obvious the improvement is and how little work they'd have to do.
You should convert your design into a Stylish CSS document... people would eat it right up (I would, anyway).
Kris Black
· 1 year ago
I like your redesign a lot. Nothing major, just a simple adjustment to what is already a great email system.
Jason Robb
· 1 year ago
Hey Dan, seriously convert that design into a Stylish CSS Doc and share the love! I created my own Stylish version of Gmail, and I'd love to get that baseline grid in there, too.
What did the trick, mostly line-height tweaks?
Dan Rubin
· 1 year ago
@Jason: I've been meaning to look into that, I just didn't want to go down a rabbit hole of constant updates and tweaks to accommodate the little changes Google seems fond of pushing on a regular basis (see Jon Hicks' Google Reader stylesheet, lots of work for very little return...)
That said, I'd also be ok if someone wanted to take my adjustments and turn them into a Stylish "theme" or even just a plain old user stylesheet. The changes are primarily spacing-related, with the exception of a few type size changes and an extra button that might require Greasemonkey or similar.
All Comments
After your baseline "refactoring", I understand why!
Nice!
It's a good example though of how vertical rhythm can really help with the alignment and feel of a page. Something that I keep meaning to include with my own work.
Great examples Dan. Hopefully someone at Google will take notice. By the way, how'd the interview with Google go? :)
@Noel: thanks - they have, actually, just over a year ago when I presented these comps as part of my interview process. I can only speculate of course on the problems that exist within Google's structure with regards to design (with Doug and staff on hand they certainly aren't lacking in the talent area), but they clearly have issues making progress in the design area.
It's an engineering-focused company, so although disappointing from the outside, ultimately it's not a surprise.
You should convert your design into a Stylish CSS document... people would eat it right up (I would, anyway).
What did the trick, mostly line-height tweaks?
That said, I'd also be ok if someone wanted to take my adjustments and turn them into a Stylish "theme" or even just a plain old user stylesheet. The changes are primarily spacing-related, with the exception of a few type size changes and an extra button that might require Greasemonkey or similar.