Google Caffeine Is Here!

Google has just released a 'beta" version of its new search engine, code named Caffeine. Aptly named! Web designers and SEO specialists will be drinking plenty of late night coffee seeking to master its ranking methodologies! In its official blog, Google made the following statement regarding its new engine:

"For the last several months, a large team of Googlers has been working on a secret project: a next-generation architecture for Google's web search. It's the first step in a process that will let us push the envelope on size, indexing speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness and other dimensions. The new infrastructure sits "under the hood" of Google's search engine, which means that most users won't notice a difference in search results. But web developers and power searchers might notice a few differences, so we're opening up a web developer preview to collect feedback."

After a brief test of Caffeine vs the current Google, I can sense a refinement in the search results that may be short-circuiting some of the currently popular SEO tactics. That's a good thing. I applaud Google for seeking to improve the engine rather than just a overhaul of the graphics and marketing which for now appears to be Microsoft Bing's strategy.

Will Google's BMW like approach to search continue to prevail over Microsoft's Cadillac Escalade like cushy graphics in Bing? Let's see what the market decides!

Follow this link to try Google Caffeine.

Designer's Food . . .

Only a web designer who loves letterforms and typography could fully appreciate the humor (and skill) that produces a whimsical item such as this! I would love to have one on my desk! See more illustrated fruit on Sarah King's web page.

World's Best-Designed Newspapers

I have always felt that web designers can benefit from studying the best examples of design in other disciplines. Newspaper design is one such example. The Society for News Design has selected four newspapers (from 351 worldwide candidates) as the "World's Best-Designed Newspapers." This creative competition judges newspapers on design excellence including typography. The judges, meeting in Syracuse, New York, selected four European newspapers as their winners. The Society for News Design website features the results and the basis for selection. This is worth the attention of web designers, as newspapers, like content rich websites, must show a mastery of layout and typography. My personal favorite among the winners is the German Frankfurter Aligemeine Sonntagszeitung for its inventive use of graphics and airy typography.