Leveraging the Power of WordPress
WordPress is one of the most popular blogging softwares in use today. It is flexible, powerful, and infinitely extensible. Many businesses (myself included) have started using the WordPress code base as a Content Management System (CMS). This is a fancy phrase that means the owner of the site wants to control the content of their web site without having to do any Web Design, HTML coding, PHP coding, CSS design, or javascript coding. One of the advantages of WordPress is that once you have your content added to the site, a redesign won't force you to re-enter a line of copy. The design and layout of the site is stored separately from the content in a Theme.
There are three ways to change your WordPress theme. The first is to choose one of the many available free WordPress themes that have been developed and submitted to WordPress.org. This gives you a look similar to the one you want, but there may be countless other sites around the internet with the exact same look and feel. The second method is to "skin" an existing free theme. This involves creating replacement graphics with the same name and editing the Cascading Style Sheets to change font colors and typeface. This gives you the unique look you are wanting, but limits you to the layout and functionality of the theme you have skinned. The third option is writing a custom theme from the ground up. This gives you complete control of the design, layout and functionality.
I am working on a selection of free themes, Premium WordPress Themes, and am also available for custom work in the meantime. If you need an existing theme skinned, a custom theme developed just for your site, or just a bit of functionality coded into your existing site, contact me for a free quote for your upcoming project!
In the meantime, browse these examples of WordPress Themes that I've worked on in the past.
New “KarlHabegger.com” WordPress Theme
As part of the transition from “The Replacement Komics” to “Karl Habegger” I’m working on creating a new WordPress theme and Content Management System. It is substantially more complex than previous themes I’ve used. I’ve worked on a lot of WordPress themes and skins, but this is the first time I’ve built one from the ground up.
Web Design: Antithesis Art
Back in November of 2007, Richard Dominguez and I decided to use the power of the internet to apply peer pressure to each other. The goal was to make certain we both stayed focused on creating art. It grew into the site known as Antithesis Art. I originally wrote the site in PHP, CSS, and created a back end using MySQL. It was an excellent exercise and forced me to learn things I wouldn’t have otherwise. As we added additional people to the fun, the administrative duties piled up. The back end was inelegant and had a VERY steep learning curve, so I ended up doing all of the administrative work to keep the content updated. Eventually this led to a long ugly hiatus.
Web Design: Cooling Cycle
Client: Cooling Cycle
Services: Complete web design. Content Management System programming. WordPress development.
Cooling Cycle did not have a solid web presence when we started. I researched their competition and vendors and developed a design concept for them. They liked it and we went forward. I found a WordPress theme that had some of their desired layout already. I then replaced and recoded the theme until it functioned and looked the way we wanted.
Design Concept: Brookside Camp II
They liked the initial design, but will not be featuring water activities as the land they are looking to aquire does not have rivers or lakes attached. They wanted something greener!
Design Concept: Brookside Camp
This was my first rough draft of a design concept for Brookside Camp in Indiana. The camp does not exist yet and has since been put on hold indefinitely, but hopefully will one day be open for campers.
Web Design: Elance Professional
Client: Elance Professional
Service: Complete design service, Content management system, and WordPress theme adaptation.
Web Design: The Replacement Komics
October 27th 2010 UPDATE: The Replacement Komics are no more. However! The content is now part of this web site: www.karlhabegger.com. Rejoice and be glad.
