Well, Mostly -
Regarding the recent redesign of WIRED:
Around our office, we usually have 3 or 4 issues (current and otherwise) being passed around, referred to, cut up etc. Upon reviewing the redesign you announce in the feature, "Change Is Good" from The Editors, our User Interface Designers began squabbling over the "black bar" device you've adopted as a recurring header/issue status indicator. The UI guys questioned the fact that it seems to mysteriously go away and come back throughout the issue. Others pointed out that it is probably intended to be the progress marker for the columns section of the magazine. The original critics say it "establishes a progress tracking precedent and should remain throughout the issue.
The only criticism of the device I have is the section header logos with the meandering descenders. At larger sizes, their legibility is almost not an issue, however at the smaller header and footer sizes, only about half of the time are they clear. "Chat" works small, "Start" is awkward (why are there so many "Starts"? How long does this "Starts" section go on? We think "Start" should apply top the introductory letter from the Editor and possibly an intro for the main feature/theme of the issue. The features that show up in the "Start" section seem to be all over the map. The "Play" header logo works a little better and "Posts" almost. We miss "Fetish" and the absence of "Japanese Schoolgirl Watch" is absolutely unforgivable.
We also miss some of the forced pixillation of the graphics, but we know these must evolve as the base technological reference does - even with nostalgia to consider.
Christopher EhrenColumbus, OH
