Extreme Theme Makeover - WordCamp Reno 2013

Whether you need to create something totally unique for your client on a budget, build a site that “doesn’t look bloggy,” or just want something that has that “wow” factor, theme customizations are a great time-saving, cost-effective option. Why reinvent the wheel when you can just make it beautiful?

Transcript

1. EXTREME THEME MAKEOVER
2. MEGAN GRAY Designer wordpresser Beach bum @houseofgrays | itsmegangray.com | 10up.com
3. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// CUSTOMIZING off-the-shelf THEMES it’s not cheating. it’s winning. » » When you’re just beginning
4. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// CUSTOMIZING off-the-shelf THEMES it’s not cheating. it’s winning. » » When you’re just beginning » » When you’re short on time, budget, or resources
5. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// CUSTOMIZING off-the-shelf THEMES it’s not cheating. it’s winning. » » When you’re just beginning » » When you’re short on time, budget, or resources » » When you want to work smarter, not harder
6. use both halves to control creative chaos.
7. eat your vegetables first.
8. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// good DESIGN SOLVES PROBLEMs It doesn’t make problems prettier. » » People don’t visit sites for the design
9. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// good DESIGN SOLVES PROBLEMs It doesn’t make problems prettier. » » People don’t visit sites for the design » » Always begin with a plan
10. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// good DESIGN SOLVES PROBLEMs It doesn’t make problems prettier. » » People don’t visit sites for the design » » Always begin with a plan » » Make it smart before you make it pretty
11. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// HAVE A PLAN Design without a plan is just doodling. 1. Take inventory of your content (present & future)
12. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// HAVE A PLAN Design without a plan is just doodling. 1. Take inventory of your content (present & future) 2. Define required features
13. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// HAVE A PLAN Design without a plan is just doodling. 1. Take inventory of your content (present & future) 2. Define required features 3. Complete a creative brief
14. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// you need help Get it early and often. 1. Find a trusted WordPress consultant
15. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// you need help Get it early and often. 1. Find a trusted WordPress consultant 2. Share your plan
16. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// you need help Get it early and often. 1. Find a trusted WordPress consultant 2. Share your plan 3. Preventing fires > Putting them out (or watching your site burn)
17. do a warm up lap.
18. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// find your Inspiration: It feels like a cold slap in the face, by the way. » » Consult the creative brief
19. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// find your Inspiration: It feels like a cold slap in the face, by the way. » » Consult the creative brief » » Sources: Everywhere. Magazines. Internet.
20. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// find your Inspiration: It feels like a cold slap in the face, by the way. » » Consult the creative brief » » Sources: Everywhere. Magazines. Internet. » » Save it for later: Pinterest, Gimme Bar
21. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// shopping for themes It’s like dating. Kind of*. » » Find one that comes from a good family *Dating is awful. Theme shopping is mostly pleasant.
22. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// shopping for themes It’s like dating. Kind of*. » » Find one that comes from a good family » » Don’t expect it to change after you buy it *Dating is awful. Theme shopping is mostly pleasant.
23. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// shopping for themes It’s like dating. Kind of*. » » Find one that comes from a good family » » Don’t expect it to change after you buy it » » You’ll know when you find the one. *Dating is awful. Theme shopping is mostly pleasant.
24. you may now open photoshop
26. designers are a maddening combination of competitiveness and insecurity. -mike monteiro
27. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// the design process (The parts nobody talks about) At least once in every good design process, you may: » » Doubt yourself
28. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// the design process (The parts nobody talks about) At least once in every good design process, you may: » » Doubt yourself » » Rage Quit your computer
29. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// the design process (The parts nobody talks about) At least once in every good design process, you may: » » Doubt yourself » » Rage Quit your computer » » Delete everything and start over
30. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// the design process (The parts nobody talks about) At least once in every good design process, you may: » » Doubt yourself » » Rage Quit your computer » » Delete everything and start over Everyone does this. This is Good.
31. keep going.
32. Inspiration
36. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// design in the details Think big, work small. 1. Color Palette 2. Typography 3. Background 4. Header 5. Navigation 6. Content Area 7. Sidebar 8. Footer
37. 4 5 8 6 7 3 AaBbCc 1 2 Color Palette Typography Background Content Sidebar Header Navigation Footer
38. Carolyna Pro Josefin Slab 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4
39. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// designers’ block How to smash it. » » You can always afford 5 minutes
40. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// designers’ block How to smash it. » » You can always afford 5 minutes » » Play
41. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// designers’ block How to smash it. » » You can always afford 5 minutes » » Play » » Revisit your inspiration
42. learn to code (you can do it)
43. goodie bag
44. graphics » » TheInkNest.com » » CreativeMarket.com » » iStockphoto.com colors » » color.hailpixel.com » » colourlovers.com » » kuler.adobe.com textures » » lostandtaken.com » » subtlepatterns.com » » flickr.com typography » » typecast.com ($) » » typekit.com ($) » » google webfonts
45. learnin’ » » codeschool.com » » codeacademy.com » » dontfeartheinternet.com » » lynda.com » » hackdesign.org organizaiton » » teuxdeux.com » » workflowy.com » » app.weekplan.net inspiration » » real life! » » puglypixel.com » » dribbble.com » » pinterest.com » » webcreme.com » » awwwards.com
46. work smarter.
47. have a plan.
48. stick to the plan.
49. keep going.
50. be fearless. -andrea rennick
51. this is the best job in the world! let’s do it right. -MIKE MONTEIRO
52. @houseofgrays speakerdeck.com/houseofgrays