Over the past few years the UX team at the BBC have slowly been applying and developing its much lauded Global Experience Language (GEL). These standards have dictated some structural updates to the BBC's online stable, which in turn has meant some updates to the visual design of keys areas. However the GEL goes further than that and lays out an approach to creating a refined experience for users, regardless of how they choose to consume the BBC's output.
Whilst I don't agree with the principle of designing a homepage in isolation, I think the fact that the new page was designed around tablet browsers is fantastic. It hints at a forward thinking strategy, based around an evolving audience.
Moreover how the BBC has chosen to roll out the page is impressive. They started with a Beta launch and an accompanying launch page. They monitored the reaction on site and on twitter, then have released a formal response and progression plan. They have moved rapidly and publicly demonstrated that their team is listening. For an organisation of the BBC's scale, this is flippin' impressive.
