Yesterday I was greeted by an icon in Gmail to try their new look. I clicked, played with the new look for a while and ran right back to the old look. Alas, Google seems determined to push the new Gmail look on users, whether they like it or not, so the classic look may not last much longer.
I had two immediate negative reactions to the new design. The style is plain ugly and it also stinks of social networking. There are no clear cut delineations between the email area, the navigation, the ads, and the buttons. Elements seem to have been randomly placed on the page with very little contrast to differentiate the various areas.
Google will probably deny this but the new design is like Google+ crammed into Gmail. Everything has profile pictures in it and email threads look like wall posting timelines now. You can try the compact mode to squeeze everything together but that doesn’t help much. The elements never quite collapse like the classic version.
When will companies learn? You can't force people to like a product. This is the case of Gmail trying to push Google+ on the users and it doesn't work. The Gmail help forums are already rife with critical messages from disgruntled users. If Gmail wants to give its users new look and feel options, that's fine, but not allowing users to have the classic look is just heavy-handed.
Users can revolt and threaten to leave Gmail and hope Google pulls a BoA in the end. But if Google decides to push forward with the new look, it may be time to ditch Gmail for other services. This may be a golden opportunity for Facebook to beef up its pitiful email platform and steal users away.
Hi Robert,
I'm sorry to hear you don't like the new look. Have you tried any of the new themes? The default theme has a lot of white, but if that doesn't suit you, we have several options including some beautiful HD photo themes.
While several people associate the new look with Google+, it's actually part of a global redesign of Google's services, and Google+ was the first product launched in the new design. You can read more about why we are making the changes here:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/evolving-google-design-and-experience.html
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/gmails-new-look.html
The new look took some time for me to get used to, but now I like it a lot. I realize what I've posted might not address all of your concerns, so please feel free to use the "Send Feedback" link at the bottom right of the new look to tell your team about the parts of the new look that continue to give you trouble. We're actively reading all of this feedback so we can continue to make Gmail better.
Best,
Sarah
Comment by Sarah Price, Gmail Community Manager — November 3, 2011 @ 8:06 pm
give credit to google for at least listening to its users.
my 2 big wishes for the new look are tighter collapse options and better contrast between various page elements.
judging by the posts on gmail forums many others have the same wish and addressing those 2 should satisfy us.
i've been with gmail since inception and would like to continue using it.
Comment by robert — November 4, 2011 @ 10:40 am
I hate this new GMAIl and will find away to get out of it and change mt email address!! UNLESS there is a way to get it back to the original way.
Comment by Ruthy — November 29, 2011 @ 10:39 pm
HATE, HATE, AND HATE the new GMAIL. Thank you.
Comment by Parul — December 10, 2011 @ 5:37 am
Stupid Google. This is the age of democracy, directly enforced by we, the people, against dictatorships like Google.
The day that Google changes my Gmail without my permission is the day I'll 'vote' with my mouse to erase every Gmail account I have. Be afraid, Google. Be very afraid. Millions will join me.
Comment by Terry — December 16, 2011 @ 4:56 pm
Its true , Gmail new look is not comfortable and user friendly , even some option like delete or junk has no properly visible on header.
Comment by Hafiz Khurram — January 15, 2012 @ 7:23 am
ugly...ugly new look. I hate new Gmail and the childrens themes.
Comment by Mareia — February 3, 2012 @ 8:59 am
Never, until this moment, new changes to Gmail, did not cause such violent passions and resistance in users. A huge wave of discontent in the network proves that new look Gmail'' is a big mistake and harm to Google ..
Comment by Bobi — February 8, 2012 @ 3:36 pm