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Like we told you a while back (well, actually Mark told you), Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) will get a new theme (and yes, it's not brown!):

"The new style of Ubuntu is driven by the theme "Light". We've developed a comprehensive set of visual guidelines and treatments that reflect that style, and are updating key assets like the logo accordingly. The new theme takes effect in 10.04 LTS and will define our look and feel for several years.

In 2009, a small team lead by Mark Shuttleworth, conducted a review of our key brand values and identity. Based on that work, a set of visual treatments were produced, and shared with key members of the Ubuntu Art community, spanning the core distributions, derivatives, and aligned efforts like the Forums. Representatives from Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Xubuntu, Mythbuntu, SpreadUbuntu and more came to London and worked with the Canonical design team to refine the designs and work together. The results of that work are presented here."


Firstly, I'm sure you can't wait to see the new Ubuntu theme, so here are some screenshots: Ubuntu is Light:


ubuntu 10.04 light theme



But dark too:

ubuntu lucid light dark theme screenshot



Also a new boot splash:

new ubuntu 10.04 boot splash



Ubuntu now has a new logo too:

new ubuntu 10.04 logo

new ubuntu 10.04 lucid logo



New community logos:

new ubuntu logos



And finally, all the Canonical websites will get a redesign too:

new ubuntu website





The new logo typeface is called "Ubuntu", and according to Popey, it's still work in progress (with some 15 characters done so far).

But about the theme: I don't know about you, but I have to wonder (even though I for one like the new themes and all): what's up with the window buttons on the left, purple background and the notification area icons? Isn't that too... how should I put this? Mac OS X?


Of course, one could argue that the top left of the screen tends to be the initial focus point so it makes sense to put the controls there but I could also say that people are used to them being in the top right corner. Another reason for moving the window buttons to the top left corner could be so that they don't interfere with the notification bubbles (I remember a lot of people were complaining about the notifications being displayed too low and it seemed like a bug for many people - well, this would "fix" it).

It took me 5 minutes to get over "Mac OS X" and then I noticed something else: there is no bottom panel! So does that mean Ubuntu will feature a dock of some sort? Or maybe there is a panel but it's on auto hide (that can also be a dock)? Indeed, it seems the screenshot was taken with auto-hide so there was a panel at the bottom.


Case study. Let's take the following screenshot:

macosx leopard

I'm going to let you number the elements which look almost the same in the new Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx themes and Leopard.


Please note: The new artwork most probably isn't finalized yet, so it'll be interesting to see what actually lands in Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid).


Update 1: some recent screenshots place the window buttons on the top right corner instead of top left. See HERE.

Update 2: You can now download the new Ubuntu Lucid (10.04) wallpaper (we're still waiting for the themes)

Update 3: The New Ubuntu 10.04 Boot Splash Video (Plymouth)


Update 4: Ubuntu 10.04 Light (Radiance) And Dark (Ambiance) Themes Are Now Available For All

Update 5: Almost Official: Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Will Have The Window Buttons On The LEFT!


Other Ubuntu "Light" theme related articles:



Thanks to jonobacon | More info @ Ubuntu Wiki