I don't know, even a cursory glance at the Ubuntu homepage, complete with shiny screenshots (theoretically chosen to showcase the best design elements), shows there's still a ridiculous distance to go before it'd be anything I'd consider "well designed". Further investigation shows similar inconsistencies across nearly every screenshot of included applications.
Better by far, certainly. The Ubuntu crowd has made significant strides in the past few years. But just look at the "Ubuntu One Music Store" image and tell me you don't see glaring inconsistencies in padding, form outlines, and control styles. Then look at other applications and notice which buttons are shaded and when, and resizable edge styles, and why does the shade get that dark near the bottom without a font highlight to counter the harder-to-read lower contrast?
Better by far, certainly. The Ubuntu crowd has made significant strides in the past few years. But just look at the "Ubuntu One Music Store" image and tell me you don't see glaring inconsistencies in padding, form outlines, and control styles. Then look at other applications and notice which buttons are shaded and when, and resizable edge styles, and why does the shade get that dark near the bottom without a font highlight to counter the harder-to-read lower contrast?