designing for wordpress
DESCRIPTION
Just how far can WordPress go? Should I use a premade theme, or build my own? Does it have to look a certain way?TRANSCRIPT
Designing for WordPress
Turn an idea into a reality
Who Am I?
I am a self-taught designer and programmer with over 5 years of experience working with a variety of businesses, non-profits, and individuals.
While I specialize in WordPress themes and CMS development, I also do all levels of Web Design and XHTML/CSS coding.
I freelance some through my personal brand, Tammy Hart Designs while also working a full time gig at blr | further as a UI Developer.
TammyHartDesigns.com
@tammyhart
WHERE TO STARTBlank canvas
Sitemap
Wireframe
What to Think About
NO:
YES:
What can WordPress do?
How do I make WordPress do x-y-z?
LIMITATIONSThink “sky”
WordPress Can Do Anything
Anything is:
Brochure sites
Ecommerce
Magazine
Social Community
Knowledgebase
Invoicing and time tracking
Facebook application integration
Anything isn’t:
Your laundry
Fix the economy
Climb Mount Everest
Explain the meaning of life
WordPress Fundamentals Blogging and pages are built in
Media manipulation has a foundation
Everything is in a database, so you can access the content as much as your programming skills will let you
Remember: There is probably already a plugin for that!
You Know WordPress is only as limited as you
Know when to say “no” or have a better idea
Keep your “enemies” close, know about other CMS’s and alternative plugins to your favorites
Do your research - the answer is probably already out there.
Pre-built Themes
Pros
Tons of features and settings
A good base design to start from
Already designed
Cons
Too many features and settings
Too locked into a design layout
Already designed
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKEFunctionality with style
SouthernIdahoLiving.comMagazine style publishing
KurdishRights.org/prisoners/Simple application
FlowerMag.comCustom content types
VancouverConventionCentre.comNow that’s what I call beyond the blog!
HOW IT WORKSTemplates and code
The Loop
Basic Loop
<?
if (have_posts()) :
while (have_posts()) : the_post();
?>
... Do Stuff Here ...
<?
endwhile;
endif;
?>
Basic Functions
the_title()
the_author()
the_permalink()
the_time()
the_content() & the_excerpt()
the_category()
comments_popup_link()
Get Posts by Category<?
$categories = get_categories('exclude=16');
foreach ($categories as $cat) {
if($cat->parent == 0) {
?>
<div class="catgroup">
<?
$counter = 0;
$catID = $cat->cat_ID;
$sections = new WP_query(
array('cat' => $catID,'monthnum' => $month,'year' => $year)
);
while ($sections->have_posts()) : $sections->the_post();
$counter++; $currentposts[] = $post->ID;
?>
... Do Stuff Here ...
<? endwhile; ?>
</div>
<? } } // end if parent and foreach ?>SouthernIdahoLiving.com by Tammy Hart
What to Think About
NO:
YES:
What can WordPress do?
How do I make WordPress do x-y-z?
RESOURCESThat’s not all, folks!
Resources
In depth look at Site Design and Layout from WordPress.orghttp://bit.ly/wpdesign01
Using Dreamweaver Sites: How to sync your local directory, with a WordPress themes directoryhttp://bit.ly/wpdesign02
Tutorials, videos, and other articles about Freelancing and WordPresshttp://www.wpmethod.com
