I think this is a pretty decent redesign. It does look like it sacrifices a bit of information-density, however. The assumption seems to be "Reddit-as-imageboard," even though a number of subreddits are much more text-oriented where the large thumbnails serve no purpose other than to show fewer posts at a time.
Additionally, I don't know if the workflow he presented is entirely realistic. When I use HN, for example, I scan the front page, opening the discussions I find interesting in new tabs and then just moving down the list. I would use Reddit in much the same way. I'm probably not typical, but I'm probably not part of a tiny minority either.
This design is definitely more pleasing to the eye, but I think I'd rather have less whitespace and more content on the screen at once.
I feel like I'm in the minority on this, but reddit's design is one of my favorites. It's information dense, but still functional.
From TFA:
and loading posts in an <iframe> gives the opportunity to
display content while the user waits. A preview of one of
the trending posts from the sidebar? You bet. Ads while the
next link loads? Sure thing.
Please, God, no. This would kill reddit for me faster than anything.
EDIT: I just noticed that the thumbnails for articles had a read time estimates. That's a really good idea.
Additionally, why would people use < and > to browse posts? I don't want to see every post. I want to see a list of posts, then click on the things I want to see
My idea was to leave it up to the user. If someone wants to see all the top/latest posts they can > through them, but you can continue browsing as you always have.
Additionally, I don't know if the workflow he presented is entirely realistic. When I use HN, for example, I scan the front page, opening the discussions I find interesting in new tabs and then just moving down the list. I would use Reddit in much the same way. I'm probably not typical, but I'm probably not part of a tiny minority either.