P: New user interface lacks contrast and many usability cues, lots of other problems

I think I just figured it out. Seth is smitten with Google's "material design" theme and is foisting it on Photoshop. Take a look at this screen shot which shows the upcoming version of Google Chrome. Look at the drop down menus and the text entry fields -- just like the new Photoshop.

From Seth Shaw's blog:

"The latest version of Photoshop features an updated font menu for selecting and browsing fonts. We've arranged the menu to be consistent with Illustrator and InDesign"

I work in those two all the time and thankfully, Seth has not touched these yet. Not seeing how he possibly thinks that his new PS interface upgrade is as good or functional.

Revert to 2014. Consider it a well-paid learning experience.

You could ask Seth Shaw on Twitter: @sethshaw, maybe he'll respond there?

I would go even further and say the designers haven't even used PS as it was intended. If Seth and team were paying customers they would realise what a mess this is.

Dear Adobe,

OK, we are going on 100+ negative comments on the UI. I am reading similar reactions in the "mainstream media" panning the new release.

Are you planning on issuing a response? Anything? A word, even just "We are reviewing your comments" would be appreciated. 
-pk

A major problem for me is that the Pen Tool and Selection Tools have been made unusable in Ps CC 2015 when used on a Retina screen because Paths are now almost invisible against any sort of detailed background and so it is very very difficult to see the Nodes in order to edit the Paths. Active Selections are almost invisible as well.

I can only imagine that the lead-designers of this UI never actually use Paths and Selections themselves?!

Not to mention Final Cut Pro! And just today, Walt Mossberg wrote about how Apple's apps need a lot of work. http://recode.net/2016/02/03/mossberg-apples-own-apps-need-work/
I think these companies get to a point where they're so bloated that they lose their focus.

Not to diminish your valid comment Bruce, but Apple's iMovie and Keynote comes to mind here too...

Still, no excuse for Adobe and Seth Shaw, – a bad user experience is just that, no matter which company created the problem.

I know of no other software where reverting back to previous versions is a vast improvement for the user. Adobe, you should be embarrassed and ashamed.

A really nice bonus when one reverts to Ps CC 2014 is discovering that ACR 9.4 works beautifully with it — and so does Bridge.
The most useful innovations for Photographers, and for photographic editing, seem to come mostly from the ACR team these days.