Ubuntu certainly aren't afraid of change. After announcing that the soon to be released Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid) is to default to using Yahoo as the the search engine of choice, they have also announced that it will also receive a fresh new look and UI called "Light". The new theme, style or whatever else you want to call it looks far more mature and professional when compared to the current default theme,  "Human".

The theme will become the face of the Ubuntu desktop for the next several years and may indicate that Ubuntu is entering a new phase with their product. It's possible that Ubuntu will be advertised more vigorously in the coming years and with a far more professional and clean look, could make it more attractive to those who wouldn't otherwise consider it. More information about the facelift can be found on the Ubuntu web site, but here are some screenshots of how 10.04 will look.

Boot Splash

Ubuntu 10.04 Boot Splash

Desktop Theme

Ubuntu 10.04 desktop theme

In addition to overhauling the way the Operating System looks, the Ubuntu brand and all it's assets will also get a face lift. Ubuntu are going for simple yet effective styling in their new brand as you can see from some of the images below. In the coming months expect to see changes to the logos, community sites, merchandising and the official Ubuntu website.

Logos

The new look Ubuntu logos, clean and efficient.

Merchandise

Ubuntu will likely update its merchandising to.

The changes have come about after Ubuntu felt it was time they updated their image and identity to bring it more in line with their key business values and practices..."We're drawn to Light because it denotes both warmth and clarity, and intrigued by the idea that "light" is a good value in software. Good software is "light" in the sense that it uses your resources efficiently, runs quickly, and can easily be reshaped as needed. Ubuntu represents a break with the bloatware of proprietary operating systems and an opportunity to delight to those who use computers for work and play. More and more of our communications are powered by light, and in future, our processing power will depend on our ability to work with light, too. "

All images credited to Ubuntu.