Wikipedia:2014 main page redesign proposal

Background
The main page was last redesigned in 2006. In 2008, 2012, and 2013, attempts were made to propose a new redesign, but in all three attempts the process stalled. Essentially, the discussion was all over the map with many excellent (and some not so much) ideas, none of which resulted in a firm consensus.

Process
The process for this year's proposal will be different: we aim for a focused incremental achievable change. This time we will consider one specific, detailed proposal in RfC format. The proposal will run the usual 30 days, with a bias toward early snow closing if it becomes clear that the proposal will fail.

Concurrent proposals are not allowed. If a proposal achieves consensus approval, this will be considered to be the final word.

Participants are asked to keep a narrow focus on the current proposals(s) and to try to stay on-topic. The question is not whether the current proposal is better than another (past or present) proposal, but rather whether it is better than the existing main page. If you have an idea or preference that is not contained in the current proposal, please save it and consider making a specific, detailed proposal. Our experience over the last two years has shown that simply throwing out ideas and discussing them is ineffective.

1. Brainstorming for the RFC discussion
 * To be done at the talk page by those interested. The RFC should be designed as to give us design criteria for each section of the main page, and overall (ie how much change is desired). Move onto next step after consensus is reached.

2. RFC Discussion
 * To be widely advertised. Discussion to be take an open-ended approach. Would be open a minimum of 30 days, and there would probably be a follow-up straw poll, with its exact nature determined by the responses received in the initial discussion.

Drafts

 * See also:2014 main page redesign proposal/draft

Please submit your drafts of the main page redesign to Wikipedia:2014 main page redesign proposal/draft/USERNAME, you may add in your own explanation. The community will start the discussion in the wikipedia talk page.