Redesign or Realign?

November 8, 2005

This morning, I read an article by Cameron Moll, Good Designers Redesign, Great Designers Realign. I found it very helpful as I have been considering a couple of redesign projects. It was also affirming to me that I am heading in the right direction as I consider a major redesign of one of my sites, GodSquad.

“In direct contrast to the Redesigners, the Realigners cite strategic objectives and user needs as reasons to consider a site overhaul. The desire to redesign is aesthetic-driven, while the desire to realign is purpose-driven. One approach seeks merely to refresh, the other aims to fully reposition and may or may not include a full refresh.”

Cameron also cited another article on A List Apart that I read last week, Never Get Involved in a Land War in Asia (or Build a Website for No Reason). Both of these articles are helping me to think about the importance of strategy as we do Web design work.