Wordpress Geek Stuff  Jul 26.10

Customized Modicus Theme Files

I’ve gotten a few inquiries about my customized theme (Built on the Modicus theme by Upstart Blogger), so I’ve decided to offer my theme files for download, for anyone who’d like to scan through them and see the changes I made.

Download my custom theme files here.

I suggest you download the original Modicus theme, and then compare the two groups of files. In many cases, I’ve simply commented out original code (keeping it in place for reference) and added new code. Lately, when customizing WP themes, I’m in the habit of saving the original file with a new name (index-SAVE.php, for instance) and then uploading my custom version of that file. This is a better practice, I think, than just editing core theme files themselves. That way you always have the original to refer back to (or start over with) when things go haywire. And, when you’re teaching yourself to do this, they will.

Newer themes offer much more robust customization options right in the WP admin area. But if you’re an interface designer / front-end developer, I think it’s important to always work “under the hood,” to exercise your coding skills.

You don’t need to be a PHP expert. You just need to understand what each chunk of code is doing, and how to shuffle those modules around on the page without breaking them. Then you’ll probably get a sense, very quickly, how basic WP functions are organized throughout the structure of the theme.

As always, the theme itself is open source, but my specific customization is a creative expression, so please respect that, and don’t use a carbon-copy on your own site. Being a true geek, you’ll have more fun (and learn more) tweaking things to create a custom version of your own anyway ;)

Posted on Jul 26.10 to Design, Geek Stuff   /  No comments yet. Add your thoughts

Design Archive  Jul 19.08

All existing work will go into this one post, to get everything moved over to the new site. Future projects will be posted separately.

huhcorp.com

Client: Self
Project: www.huhcorp.com
Project Role: Art Direction, Design, HTML, CSS
Details: A satirical look at the world of creative agencies, huhcorp has been viewed and reviewed the world over, and was featured in a Best of Web issue of STEP Inside Design Magazine in 2005.

duhcorp.com

Client: Self
Project: www.duhcorp.com
Project Role: Art Direction, Design, HTML, CSS
Details: A satirical look at technology agencies, inspired by huhcorp

BuildingOnline.net

Client: BuildingOnline
Project: www.buildingonline.net
Agency: BuildingOnline
Project Role: Art Direction, Design, HTML, CSS, Flash
Details: A new version of our agency site

Colony Properties

Client: Colony Properties International
Project: www.colonypropertiesintl.com
Agency: Scout Creative
Project Role: Art Direction, Design, HTML, CSS, Flash
Details: Site for a luxury vacation rental company that holds properties in Mexico and North America

JamesHardie.co.uk

Client: James Hardie
Project: www.jameshardie.co.uk
Agency: BuildingOnline
Project Role: HTML, CSS, Flash
Details: After the launch of James Hardie’s new site, we worked to develop versions in multiple languages for the European market.

ArtisanLuxury.com

Client: James Hardie
Project: www.artisanluxury.com
Agency: BuildingOnline
Project Role: HTML, CSS, Flash
Details: Product site for long-standing client, to help them bring a new line to market

GroheF1.com

Client: Grohe
Project: www.grohef1.com
Agency: BuildingOnline
Project Role: Design, HTML, CSS, Flash
Details: Micro site for a line of high-end, contemporary faucets and fixtures for Grohe America

Polyseamseal.com

Client: Henkel
Project: www.polyseamseal.com
Agency: BuildingOnline
Project Role: Art Direction, Design, HTML, CSS, Flash
Details: Product presentation site for a new client, one of the largest manufacturers in the building products industry

BuilderNewsMag.com

Client: BuilderNews Magazine
Project: Site currently under construction
Agency: BuildingOnline
Project Role: Design, HTML, CSS, Flash
Details: Online presentation of a popular building trade magazine, this site was designed and built around a robust and extensive ad-banner server.

LascoBathware.com/Contours

Client: Lasco Bathware
Project: www.lascobathware.com/contours
Agency: BuildingOnline
Project Role: Design, HTML, CSS, Flash
Details: Micro site for a luxury product line for Lasco Bathware

AquaticWhirlpools.com

Client: Aquatic Industries
Project: www.aquaticwhirlpools.com
Agency: BuildingOnline
Project Role: Art Direction, Design, HTML, CSS, Flash
Details: Complete re-design and rebuild for a luxury whirlpool bath company

Posted on Jul 19.08 to Design   /  One comment. Add your thoughts