Title: Complete PHP CSS dummy needs help Last modified: August 19, 2016 --- # Complete PHP CSS dummy needs help * [omgjohn](https://wordpress.org/support/users/omgjohn/) * (@omgjohn) * [17 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/complete-php-css-dummy-needs-help/) * So I’m using wordpress for my portfolio site. It’s easy to update and add new things and plugins add tons of functionality for showing things off in quick and easy ways. * Problem is my experience is almost exclusive with graphics editing and 3D Modeling. I don’t know how to use PHP or CSS because it’s just never been all that important for my work. I used someones theme for a while with edited images, but it looked horrible. * I just designed a site using Dreamweaver in PHP and it looks exactly how I want it to, but I have no clue on how to turn it into actual wordpress theme. * I’ve looked up tutorials but they all seem to assume the one reading it has a basic knowledge of PHP and CSS, which I don’t. I get a few steps in and then get confused and frustrated. * Is there any “WordPress Themes for Dummies” out there? Or hell, even anyone willing to take my template and just make it work? If there is I will completely let them put their name all over the site. I don’t care. I just want something up that’s more representative of my work than what is currently up there. Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total) * [motstudio](https://wordpress.org/support/users/motstudio/) * (@motstudio) * [17 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/complete-php-css-dummy-needs-help/#post-857458) * The thing with WordPress is that: * 1. to theme from scratch, you need a good understanding of how PHP (at least WP’s PHP) works otherwise it won’t make sense when you put it all together. * 2. to edit someone else’s theme, you need a good working knowledge of CSS and HTML and how it all goes together to really make it look like your theme and not just a ghost of someone else’s. * I agree that WordPress can be frustrating for this very reason; it offers so much potential for complete customization and good content management, but it’s usually more difficult to personally stylize than a simple website is. * In all reality, it isn’t so much about PHP coding itself that you need to know how to code; it is more about needing to understand where and when the PHP code should appear and having a good working knowledge of CSS coding that will help in theming. * Since you asked, if you can post a screenshot/email me a screenshot of what you want it to look like, I can see if it’s something I could do for you? * This is what I’m currently working on for my own site: [CLICK](http://journal.madeofthese.com) * If you’re interested, you can email me at: made.of.these [ at ] gmail.com * [darran](https://wordpress.org/support/users/darran/) * (@darran) * [17 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/complete-php-css-dummy-needs-help/#post-857633) * I created a WordPress theme on my own from scratch. If you are interested, you can have a look [here](http://limetouch.com/archives/minimoo-minimalist-wordpress-theme/). * I cannot deny strong CSS knowledge is a must, as for PHP, you do not really need to know a great deal of PHP just the basics. The Codex is a great help for you to get started to know how to create your own theme. * Of course, once it is done, you would want to do a validation test and check if it works on the countless different browsers on the web. Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total) The topic ‘Complete PHP CSS dummy needs help’ is closed to new replies. * 2 replies * 3 participants * Last reply from: [darran](https://wordpress.org/support/users/darran/) * Last activity: [17 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/complete-php-css-dummy-needs-help/#post-857633) * Status: not resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics