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.
Thanks for stopping by today!
93 Comments
About Me
Rick Mahn is the Founder of SMBMSP, and Principal of Rick Mahn & Associates. With two decades in Information Technologies and Social Media Architect, Rick connects people & organizations by helping them embrace open interaction and renewed commitment to each other.Learn more about Rick.
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
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
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.
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.
Hi.
Good design, who make it?
Hi.
Good design, who make it?
Thanks for taking a few of us.
Top earring links!
Thanks for taking a few of us.
Top earring links!
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…
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I’d just be happy with something that wasn’t bright orange or black.
I’d just be happy with something that wasn’t bright orange or black.
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?
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?
You are absolutely right, finding a good theme is really hard but i think creating a new theme is harder. Good luck to you.
You are absolutely right, finding a good theme is really hard but i think creating a new theme is harder. Good luck to you.
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.
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.
You are absolutely right, finding a good theme is really hard but i think creating a new theme is harder. Good luck to you.
You are absolutely right, finding a good theme is really hard but i think creating a new theme is harder. Good luck to you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
I loved the design… are you offering any custom themes for free/charge… thanks for your help
I loved the design… are you offering any custom themes for free/charge… thanks for your help
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?
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?
@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!
@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!
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!
Thanks Rick. I will check that out!
Thanks Rick. I will check that out!
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.
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.
Great design,I like it.
While bespoke design is very important for business, I agree that many just cannot budget for it. Due to web designers seeking more exposure these days, they are some very nice themes out there for all types of systems. WordPress is particularly nice to design for, and due to it’s ongoing popularity, there is lots to choose from
All the best.
While bespoke design is very important for business, I agree that many just cannot budget for it. Due to web designers seeking more exposure these days, they are some very nice themes out there for all types of systems. WordPress is particularly nice to design for, and due to it’s ongoing popularity, there is lots to choose from
All the best.
I think that’s one of the real strengths of WordPress… it’s easy to design for. It allows more folks a chance to produce something original.
I think that’s one of the real strengths of WordPress… it’s easy to design for. It allows more folks a chance to produce something original.
I not only use wordpress for blog articles, but also for a full-blown CMS solution. You can actually use the source PHP codes and customize any kind of dynamic site you want.
I not only use wordpress for blog articles, but also for a full-blown CMS solution. You can actually use the source PHP codes and customize any kind of dynamic site you want.
I have been using free templates until I got tired of the required back link from footers, so I moved towards a custom designed templated..
Ihave used some of them as well ande yes the work they do is very good.
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I am going to build wordpress blog soon. About the themes you tried tested I could learn about CSS and a little about PHP myself. Thanks. I will try this.
I am going to build wordpress blog soon. About the themes you tried tested I could learn about CSS and a little about PHP myself. Thanks. I will try this.
Hi Raul – Have fun with CSS and PHP. They’re not as challenging as I thought they were, and having a WordPress theme as a learning tool seemed to to help me learn about them.
Hi Raul – Have fun with CSS and PHP. They’re not as challenging as I thought they were, and having a WordPress theme as a learning tool seemed to to help me learn about them.
I just love your weblog! Very nice post! Still you can do many things to improve it.
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Thank for sharing
I like yor blog very much !
Good Luck to you Rick. I have always wanted to try to design my own theme because I can never find the one I want. As you said…I am to cheap to pay someone. What kind of software will you use for the graphics?
Good Luck to you Rick. I have always wanted to try to design my own theme because I can never find the one I want. As you said…I am to cheap to pay someone. What kind of software will you use for the graphics?
good luck!
Interesting post. I have made a twitter post about this. Others no doubt will like it like I did.
Creating and building new themes was the most difficult task for me an year ago but I am really grateful to all tutorial and wordpress helping sites who are teaching all that in free. I can build my own theme without any hassle now and It is really a cool thing to do.
Creating and building new themes was the most difficult task for me an year ago but I am really grateful to all tutorial and wordpress helping sites who are teaching all that in free. I can build my own theme without any hassle now and It is really a cool thing to do.
very nice thnx
I like yor blog very much !
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
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
Can you provide some more information for me on this?
I’m very interested in the results you get from your other Blog with the new theme.
i would like some nice wordpress theme for free
Here’s how you do it:
1) But the Artisteer software. It’s like using Microsoft Word for Joomla and WordPress .. No programming
2) Go to get a freelancer and hire someone for $4 per hour to create a design that is exactly the way you want and you’ll spend about 50 bucks.
I learned to outsource from a great mini course from http://www.virtualadministrativeassistant.info/minicourse1/index.html
Hope this helps.
It sure helps that there are so many great resources on the 'net. Also the number of WordPress folks out there ready to help!
I really agree with this post as I have scanned all those free themes from word press I would say that it was made of a professional designers which is a big help for millions of word press users..the them is perfect…
this blog want to implies how word press themes are great, how it helps your blog look as professional and look great for millions of visitors…
I really agree with this post as I have scanned all those free themes from word press I would say that it was made of a professional designers which is a big help for millions of word press users..the them is perfect…
this blog want to implies how word press themes are great, how it helps your blog look as professional and look great for millions of visitors…
There are so many themes in WordPress that by the end of it you are confused which one is the best.
Mary, I have that same problem. My last theme update I had a web designer friend modify one that seemed to work well. My next update (someday soon I hope) will also be a customized version of an existing theme. I'll probably need to spend a little on that one though.
Thank you very much Great post…thanks for share this.
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really good information thank you
Really good information. There are so many themes in WordPress. I really agree with this post.
verry much information.thanks
WordPress has tough themes i have a big trouble configuring my themes on my site with wordpress. Blogger offers a way easier theme platform for theme instalation just one click.
That’s a common misperception among early bloggers, and one that some regret later on as they continue to expand their writing, reach, and ideas for their site. It can seem easier on Blogger, but there are a number of issues with that experience. You have a smaller selection of themes to choose from, and they also require substantial HTML and CSS knowledge to customize.
By contrast, there are hundreds of thousands of theme and plugin combinations available for WordPress within a few clicks – and without customization! Indeed, to take make any site customization on any platform, you will either need the skills yourself, or be prepared to purchase those skills from another source.
The reward to the dedicated blogger, or site developer in WordPress is a robust, flexible and capable platform for anything from a simple one-page blog, to a multi-page, community & commerce site.
Don’t hesitate to tap the community for either platform too! There are lots of people ready to help you figure out what you’re trying to do, no matter if it’s Blogger, WordPress or TypePad.
Good Luck!