Where is my custom WordPress theme?
I’ve been using some very nice (I think) themes from very creative developers in the WordPress community. They all have had some design component that I really like, maybe the full use of space on one, the clean uncluttered look of another, the graphics on a third, the font/type/CSS creativity of a fourth, and so on.
However, I’ve not found that one theme that I can be happy with and just leave alone. Sure, I could hire a professional designer to create a real professional theme just for my site, but I can’t justify paying a couple thousand for a good design. Not that they are not worth the money, I just am too cheap to do it.
The nice thing about all these different themes that I’ve tried or tested, is that I’ve learned a lot about CSS and a little about PHP. Each one has taught me a little more about how to manipulate each section, where to place an add, how to wrap objects in the proper tags, and much more.
So with that said, I’m going to start work on my first custom WordPress theme, complete with custom graphics designed by yours-truly. Though, the graphic part is probably the only area that anyone should be worried about - I’m not a graphical designer, nor played one on TV - :). It might look really bad - guess we’ll find out.
So, in short, there may be a few posts focusing on the trials and tribulations of theme development as I blow off steam. Or there may be cryptically giddy posts about something working. Either way, I would really enjoy feedback about what your likes/dislikes about the sites you visit, or the themes/layouts that you use yourself and, of course, your opinion of how the new theme is turning out.
I’ll be developing the theme on a separate development blog that I’ll post about later, so it won’t effect the day-to-day usage of my main site. Maybe from there I can work on a few others for another site or two I work with.
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Comments
Comment by Rick Mahn Well, thank you for the idea web hosting review. I’ll have to check that angle when the time comes to change the old theme out.
Comment by naisioxerloro
Comment by BumFluMMymn
Comment by kent looft Rick:
It’s a great question. While my graphic design hat says that to be revelant and effective you need the distinction that branding creates, my Web 2.0 hat says it’s the content and connectivity that brings us together in this organic networking arena. The medium is the message…
Comment by Steve I’ve also had the same problem finding good themes. So what I do now is use the Semiologic theme and add my own graphic header. Very basic stuff, but it seems to work.
Comment by Mari Adkins I have a heck of a time finding a theme I like - and I’ve recently fallen in love with three-column themes, which makes it worse. I won’t use a theme I can’t change the headers on.
Comment by Rick Mahn Mari - I also have gotten bitten by the 3-column bug. I think in the end I’ll end up throwing down for a designer to help me out with the graphics and such. I can handle some coding, but graphical design and color matching is not my strong suit.
Comment by Jen I understand the frustration. I first searched every single free theme available before thinking about a custom theme and couldn’t find a half-way decent one that I liked. Then I went to various freelance sites to find a custom one. Got one guy try to tell me I should like his theme because it was better for that particular site that I was looking for a theme for! I threw my hands up. It’s hard to find someone who can make something you like though…not really knowing you, ya know?
Comment by Emre You are absolutely right, finding a good theme is really hard but i think creating a new theme is harder. Good luck to you.
Comment by Rick Mahn Themes are finicky things. It’s largely subjective and to get a real custom feel you either have to be a graphic designer with HTML/PHP skills or hire one.
I also think the 3-column theme is where I’m going here, but will need to figure out if I want to pay for a custom theme, or stick to modifying the one I have.
Comment by circuits You are absolutely right, finding a good theme is really hard but i think creating a new theme is harder. Good luck to you.
Comment by Bidding Directory I would strongly suggest paying someone lese to develop a theme for you. I have done this in the past and it has given what I want in around 2 days for only about $70. Well worth it if you ask me.
Comment by Rick Mahn Guess I’m going to do a hybrid approach. Since I’ve got a little skill in HTML and CSS, I’m going to work on the framework, but hire out the graphics and color scheme to a designer.
Comment by Web dude I’ve had some experience in designing quite a few wordpress themes, and I must say the latest release makes it easier than ever.
Check out the codex documentation for 2.5+ and you’ll see a bunch of new features that you can use for your wordpress theme.
As for the initial design of the page and the layout of the elements, I usually outsource this to someone at 99designs.com
Comment by Rick Mahn Hey there Web dude - that’s good advice. I’m looking forward to any new features that are added to WP. I’ve had some friends help with my theme lately and have been pretty happy with the results.
Comment by Agarta I loved the design… are you offering any custom themes for free/charge… thanks for your help
Comment by UK Hosting The design on this site is great, very easy on the eye.
I want to have a free wordpress theme altered to my liking, has anyone got any experience of doing this or knows of anyone that could do this for me?
Comment by Rick Mahn @UK Hosting
The theme used here (as of Aug 2008) is a customization of the free WP Premium theme by WP Remix. The customization was performed by Mykl Roventine, a friend from Minneapolis, MN who I recommend entirely.
There are many on the ‘net who have the time and interest to perform customizations of existing themes (that were released for the purpose). Simply ask around on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and so on - you’ll have several people available to you who can help!
Comment by VMOptions I like your blog’s theme the way it is. Some blogs I visit are simply so cluttered it can be annoying just trying to read a post!
Comment by Craig Neil I like to find a designer that can whip up a theme for a couple hundred bucks, then I take the design and have it cut into a WP theme for about another hundred.
Just thought of leaving few words here…. Actually you don’t have to spend couple of thousand for designing a professional customized theme anymore. Just try with some of outsourcing websites where you can get the work done for just 1/10 of the original price… Just a thought for you