A couple weeks ago, you all got to check out Pride Of Detroit's brand new logo -- a logo that will be implemented into the site when the network makes the switch to what we are calling SB Nation United. That switch will be happening very soon. Before it happens, I want to give you a more extensive sneak peek of what to expect. Specifically, I want to give you a preview of what the sites will look like in SB Nation United.
The new design is a departure from what you're used to, but let me assure you that this isn't about changing for the sake of change. Rather, it's about changing to improve the sites and, more importantly, improve the experience for you, the reader. SB Nation United will provide faster load times, allowing you to navigate the sites and find the content you're looking for more efficiently. Also, SB Nation United is going to ensure that the best and brightest content is front and center with our flexible, modern design that reduces clutter.
After the jump are some screenshots of SB Nation United.
First, let's take a look at a preview of what you will see when you first visit sites in SB Nation United. (Apologies in advance for using a screenshot from last week's enemy.) We have the ability to feature a certain amount of stories in our "cover," and this particular screenshot showcases our three-story design:
Another cool feature of SB Nation United is that StoryStreams will be brought over to the team blogs. In the past, they were exclusive to the regional sites and SBNation.com. With the team blogs getting to utilize them in United, it will be much easier to keep content organized. I'm especially looking forward to utilizing StoryStreams for games. A StoryStream will feature all of the usual stories you're used to seeing in the lead-up to games. Those stories will still be featured individually, but StoryStreams will allow for you to find everything in one central location. Here's an example:
Perhaps the coolest feature of SB Nation United is that it is going to make the experience on our sites run seamlessly from every platform, be it mobile, tablet or computer. Just from the short time I've gotten to test out the new digs, I can already say that visiting the mobile version of the sites is a huge improvement from the current setup.
There's no doubt that change takes getting used to, especially when it comes in the form of a complete redesign of sites you've gotten used to reading over the years. Just look at the reaction whenever Facebook alters something. People typically are unnerved a bit by changes before ultimately getting used to them. When Facebook introduced the timeline, for example, it was a big departure from the old profile. Now, though, it's as if that's what we had been using from the very beginning.
With SB Nation United, it will take some time to get used to the new look. The good news is the content of the site isn't changing one bit. The content produced by myself and our other writers will continue on as usual, and FanPosts, FanShots, game threads and other features that make Pride Of Detroit a community aren't being changed. How you view all of this will be different, but in the long run, these changes will make reading Pride Of Detroit and SB Nation's other sites a better experience.
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