The outline design
 

Clients can provide designers with a framework to follow that describes the principles, policies, and procedures required. But, what tools, resources, styles, and samples are used should be left for the designer to decide.

The Outline's answer seems to lie in its design, which it's betting on to bring back loyal readers and differentiate it from its competitors. I asked Gardner what, design-wise, The Outline is doing that's different from other websites.