I've recently discovered GitLab and known only current UI. After seeing those old UI screenshoots I think previous interface was better. Current version is highly "inspired" by GitHub (which has very good UI imo) but somehow has worse UI/UX for me (but I'm using it only for a month or 2, so maybe it's just my first impression). I wish there was some kind of "theme" module for GitLab.
Agree. GoM did some design work a while back, but the gitlab project is moving forward at an incredible pace, so the GoM portfolio site is a bit out of date with the current state of affairs.