Basecamp Redesign (2012)

Basecamp’s previous iteration was functional but had begun to look dated. The new design is clean and brings in some of the features you love about current web apps (drag and drop, fewer clicks to enter content, fewer page reloads, etc.). Plus, it does away with some usability and navigation niggles with a fresh approach on how users would find their way around the app.

The first thing you’ll notice is how every graphic element is thoughtfully styled and perfectly detailed. 37signals has never been one to follow the herd when it comes to design and has managed to come up with something that looks novel yet familiar. Subtle textures, clean typography, soft shadows and lots of Ajax magic come together in a tasteful new interface that’s a delight to use. With so many other apps looking suspiciously similar to Basecamp Classic, though, we have to wonder how long it will take before other apps start ripping off Basecamp Next’s fresh new design.

The new design takes cues from stacks of paper to create a simpler user experience that removes the need for a learning curve. An entire project can be viewed on a single page and navigation mimics flipping through sheets of paper, allowing you to dig deep into details and return to your project overview with a single click. It’s great to no longer have to open every Basecamp link in new tabs for fear of losing my place while browsing a project.

A preview of the all new calendar in the all new Basecamp.

A look at some of the hidden little details in the interface designed for power users.

Trusted by millions, Basecamp is the leading web-based project management and collaboration tool. To-dos, files, messages, schedules, and milestones.

It’s completely new. Reimagined, rethought, and redesigned from the ground up. Everything was reconsidered. Every idea, every flow, every concept. Nothing was sacred – every idea and every feature had to fight for its place in this first version.

The new Basecamp features an entirely new innovative interface. All new code. Brand new tech. And some serious hardware backing it all up.