This new design is very bland looking and not user friendly at all.  If a channel does not look visually appealing, then new subscribers could be put off by that.  Even if you make good videos, they won't subscribe.    My channel has grown (and gotten Google more dollars in advertizing profits because I'm a partner) because of channel comments, friends invites, and my networking in the community.  The new channel page no longer gives us that option.   I'm terrified Google is going to force this on us.  If they do, I see my channel doing downhill fast.  Why are you constantly changing things when things work just fine?