GovExec.com at 10, Part Three: Changing Designs

If you've been visiting GovExec.com for a substantial part of the decade that we've been online, you're no doubt aware that we've changed our look several times over the years ---sometimes boldly, other times in a more subtle fashion. In particular, our main logo has undergone several transformations, in keeping with the fast-changing world of Web design.

Here's a look back at how we've changed since 1996. In the Beginning

At first, we simply used a slightly modified version of the print magazine logo. We added a somewhat more descriptive tagline than that in the print version ("Government's Business Magazine") to clear up any confusion about our independence from official government publications:

Distinct Identity

In our second year, we decided it was time to declare our independence even more strongly. At the time, we thought it was important that the Web site have its own distinct identity, to get across the notion that it featured additional content not found in the print magazine:

By the way, here's a true story about this logo: It was created by the designer boyfriend of one of our then-reporters for a very fair price: a case of beer.

Streamlining

The above design lasted until late 2000, when we decided that we should come up with a new look in connection with a complete overhaul of our online publishing system. This time, we drafted our own art director to come up with a new logo:

The more streamlined look drew praise, but in retrospect, it's safe to say that the overall color scheme that accompanied it - which featured shades of khaki in addition to the black, red and white above - never caught on with a large portion of our audience.

Back to the Future

Nevertheless, that look survived until mid-2004, when, along with a thorough redesign of the magazine, we adopted an identity that in some ways took us full circle, back to a closer identification with the print product:

That, of course, is the look we retain today. Where do we go from here? Keep an eye on GovExec.com in the months ahead, and we hope you'll be pleasantly surprised by the answer.