I’d suggest that you start with Theme Development.
well I think Im getting confused is where I keep reading about frameworks.
Frameworks are quite different. They’re themes on steroids with their own libraries of custom functions and classes. They meant to be used as basis for sub themes that are similar to child themes but more complex. Unless a particular framework takes your fancy and you want to learn how to use it effectively to develop your own sub-themes, I’d suggest avoiding frameworks completely for the time being.
I would just like to learn how to make my own themes since more appear to want them over typical websites. I have looked and ordered a few books on theme design but for older versions of WordPress but Im sure the principal would be the same or hope so
since we are also discussing this what do you prefer?? I read that some frameworks are great for designers. Whats your take on them??
In that case, forget frameworks for now and start with the Codex page I listed above. You might also find it easier to work from a base theme such as http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/toolbox
Whats your take on them??
I don’t like them, personally. Tried playing with Thematic for about a week before I realised that I was spending most of my time re-writing its custom functions because I didn’t like the markup they generated or because they had significant web accessibility issues. If you don’t care too much about solid semantic markup and are really only interested in graphic design, they’re probably OK but I guess I’m too much of a control freak. 😉
So I gave up with frameworks and went back to creating my own themes. In my experience, once you have a couple under your belt, it’s very rare that you have to go back to square one with each new theme. You can usually customise or build upon one of your existing themes.
i did read wordpress 2.8 theme design and it was ok.
Hey Matthew, I am confused about why you would need to read about WP 2.8 design when there is 3.4.2.
Like Esmi said, just read the codex and in due time, you will care less about frameworks.
Bruce
Matthew, Themes are pretty easy to design and easier than you think.
All you need to do at the very minimum is design your style.css and index.php and voila, you have a theme. All the other theme files like single.php, page.php, header.php, footer.php are all icing on the cake and can be added later.
Start with style.css and index.php and design just those. Also, take a screenshot and add screenshot.png.
From there, read the codex on how to add the other files I listed above and in no time, you will have your very own framework, the matthewtimothy framework. LOL
Bruce
I read the book because it was given to me for free and it follows the same principles and task to create themes for other versions. It was a way to understand how things are done.
I think that’s a fair comment. I’ve been theming WP since before version 1.5 and the general principles haven’t changed. What has changed is the functionality (which is being extended all of the time) and the actual methodology (ie functions & templates) – both of which we all need to keep on top of as WP continues to develop.
I think my main issue is I really havent used PHP so right now Im trying to decided my direction on either dive into PHP or WordPress.
