>Not only LibreOffice, this is somewhat a general sentiment I have about most Open Source Software. If I were a designer I'd love to be part of such an important project like this.
I don't get why designers are always doing stuff like redesigning website X for free, without being asked to, but miss great opportunities to be in the spotlight by participating in projects like GNome, KDE or the likes.
Because redesigning famous X website does bring them attention in their circles AND its something that they can do by themselves in little time.
Whereas participating in projects like Gnome/KDE is a messy, long term, no pay, proposition where they'll also have to put up with the opinions of non-designer contributors and be at their coding mercy.
Plus, they like to work on the platforms they use, and almost every professional designer uses either OS X or Windows.
Then redesign LibreOfice for Windows (in Photoshop) and hand over the artwork to the programmers, which, I think, would gladly implement something good-looking.
For one, a Windows designer has access to Office if he wants an office suite. Why would he use LibreOffice? The price wouldn't entice him much, Office costs less than what he makes in a day's project.
Because redesigning famous X website does bring them attention in their circles AND its something that they can do by themselves in little time.
Whereas participating in projects like Gnome/KDE is a messy, long term, no pay, proposition where they'll also have to put up with the opinions of non-designer contributors and be at their coding mercy.
Plus, they like to work on the platforms they use, and almost every professional designer uses either OS X or Windows.