The next part of a theme a day
What a week! Based on the response and the results, 'a theme a day' wasn't too bad;) So the next thoughts on everyone's mind is where next?
Well, I'm planning to do a writeup1 on this week's feature where I'll be talking about the design process, lessons learnt and other (hopefully) interesting points.
In preparation for that, I was wondering if I could ask a favour of anyone who has been tuning in; could you answer a couple of questions for me? Just post a comment with your responses to the following:
- Can you rank the themes in order of personal preference?
- Are you planning to use any of these themes?
- Have any of this feature inspired you (whether it's the challenge itself or the designs)?
Thanks.
Also, the themes are currently in the process of being ported to TXP. Stuart, who has a great track record of converting themes, is currently doing me a favour and is undertaking the port. When they're ready, I'll make an announcement on this site.
Hopefully everyone has enjoyed this feature. Who knows, I might do this again next year but for now, I'm going to take a bit of a break2:) Blogging might be a little slow for the next few days whilst I get back up to speed but stay tuned.
- The question is, should it be one post or another series? ;) [back]
- I'll also be going back to clean up the themes released now that the pressure's off;) [back]
-30-
I love all the themes but here’s my ranking
Emire
Ambiru
Treba
Jentri
Simpla
Bosa
I’m currently using a slightly customized version of “Treba” which brings me to my next answer.
I’ve been trying to make a WordPress theme for AGES and it always seemed so hard. Then I found this theme-a-day page and you made it look so easy. Right now i’m simply customizing your themes, seeing how it all works and then hopefully soon i’ll make my own theme using all the things i’ve learnt from your themes! The themes you’ve made in the past week are quality!
I’m not sure if that’s what you wanted but hey! Hope it helps!
1. Ranking, highest to lowest:
Emire
Simpla
Ambiru
Jentri
Treba
Bosa
2. I have a niche blog project in mind, and I am strongly considering to add it the novelty and quality of one your designs (Emire or Simpla, most likely).
3. The feature is sure inspiring as a challenge, except that it wouldn’t definitely fit my schedule. The designs sure inspired me, as did some of your themes that I’ve previously used (Gespaa and Flex); I’m sure more inspiration/knowledge will come from your aftermath of this feature.
A big “thank you” for your effort and contribute.
Thanks guys, that definitely helps me get a feel for things.
1.)
Ambiru
Emire
Simpla
Jentri
Treba
Bosa
2.)I might use one or two. They’d need further development as I don’t like how they show the comment form on pages, but yeah…I could see myself using them.
3.)I am hoping it will inspire others. For me, I just want to cry as I can’t design or code well enough to do anything like a theme a day. (Maybe a theme a week for four weeks or something).
1)
Jentri
Emire
Simpla
Ambiru
Bosa
Treba
2) I implemented Emire for a friend’s blog, you can see it in action here
3) What David said, sure as hell made me jealous. BUT! I do actually thank this for getting me working, I can now say I have my May 1st design ready (currently still in psd format though). Cheers Phu!
Nice themes all week… Bosa’s probably one of my faves, along with Empire and Simpla.
Again, nice job.
Good work with the themes, here’s my ranking:
Emire
Ambiru
Bosa
Simpla
Treba
Jentri
I’m using Emire now while my new site is in the works. And you have inspired me to at least think about actually making some themes… cause apparently canned themes can be good… who knew. Maybe I’ll do a theme a day for a month… no wait, a year! I do have cs2 and no girlfriend.
Great work this week Phu. Here’s my ranking:
Emire
Bosa
Ambiru
Treba
Jentri
Simpla
I’m planning on using modified versions of Emire, Bosa and maybe Ambiru at some point.
The designs you’ve created are awesome and the Emire and Ambiru have definitely inspired me design wise to get started on creating my own theme. Just as soon as I bone up on my coding. I’ve been too lazy the past year and have stuck to pre-made themes for too long.
Thanks for all of the great work this week.
Emire
Bosa
Jentri
Simpla
Treba
Ambiru
I have to say I LOVE your themes overall. I can’t imagine doing these in a few hours. Would you be available for a custom theme for hire? = ) If so contact me via my e-mail.
Emire & Ambiru (Tied)
Bosa
Treba
Jentri
Simpla
I am currently using your Emire theme for my new blog.
You totally inspired me to start creating again. I have been in a little bit of a down time with my creativity, but alas you have sparked my imagination! :)
I have been buried in code for my own (dare I say it) Web 2.0 project ideas, to be creative, but all that is going on hold for a while.
Simpla (hands down)
Jentri
Emire
Ambiru
Treba
Bosa
–
I do plan on implementing “Simpla” on my sight soon. Or at least a modified version. Thanks for this exercise, I look forward to further themes.
Phu,
Great job on the theme-a-day entries. They are all fresh in their own way.
Rank:
1)Ambiru (presently in use @ blog.finkels.net/scott)(love the concise and uncluttered format — dropped in a rotate.php and some headers)
2)Treba (like the clean definition and separation of page items)
3) Jentri & Emire (tie — I like the dark theme, but Jentri is rich and more visually inviting to me)
4)Bosa
5)Simpla
edit: yes this has inspired me to look more closely at how to create custom themes. and i will probably start by tearing into my new favorite, Ambiru.
Thanks again!!!!
I’m not sure if I will use any of the themes except for learning and inspiration.
The colour combinations all work so well; your skills in that area are exceptional, Phu.
FWIW, I’ll just give you a quick sketch of my impressions of each, to perhaps give you some context to my rankings. It was hard to decide how to put them in order, because each is unique in its own way — a credit to you given the very short time frame you used.
Simpla
Cleanest of all. A “typical” blog layout, but such nice lines and easy to read.
Emire
Another typical blog layout; it is graphically busier than Simpla, (obviously!) but doesn’t look cluttered. Colours are calming and put the focus on the content.
Jentri
Most contrast between colour of the body and sidebar. On my high-res settings, the sidebar “weight” over-takes the body. I thought that if the sidebar had a gradient that faded to the right, it might reduce this effect. Note that at the bottom of the sidebar, “Jentri” is spelled “Gentri” on your sandbox site. :)
Ambiru
Didn’t think I would like a single-column design much, but this one I do. My only comments are that the bottom of the body simply looks chopped off by the full-width footer and that it might be nice to have some navigation links at the top and bottom to, uh, get to the top or bottom quickly. If someone had WP show five or more posts, the scrolling could get onerous to see the site stuff at the bottom.
Bosa
Like the 3D look of the sidebar. The headings might set themselves apart better being centre- or right-justified. Even with a slightly different b/g colour and larger font size, they really don’t stand out immediately as section headings.
Treba
This is last for me only because it’s a bit too narrow for my taste.
I hope that some of my comments help you get an idea of what I was thinking when I ranked them, Phu. They are all quality themes and will offer a lot to anyone who uses them.
With six themes, maybe you can do “Six Themes of Separation” and challenge the community who use the themes to add their own creative flair to the project. :^)
Enjoy your break, sir!
Thanks guys (especially you Craig; that breakdown was incredibly helpful). Much appreciated:)
I usually simple design minimal graphics.. here’s my one and half cent -
1. Emire
2. Simpla
3. Ambiru
4. Treba
5. Jentri
6. Bosa
Hi,
I just want to let you know that I’ve already ported Emire (my favourite) to ExpressionEngine and I’m planning to port also the rest of your fantastic themes.
Thanks Marcus. Feel free to send me a mail when you finish doing so and I drop a shoutout:)
1.#1. Treba
#2. Simpla
#3. Jentri
#4. Emire
#5. Bosa
#6. Ambiru
2. I’m not planning to use any of these themes - though it’s tempting.
3. It has. Somehow this feature has got me wanting to make another theme. As if I have the time. I really would love to make a new one though - maybe once I’ve got time.
Awesome feature. It must’ve taken so much work, at no obious benifit to you. Thanks.
* Can you rank the themes in order of personal preference?
1. Simpla
2. Bosa
3. Jentri
4. Emire
5. Treba
6. Ambiru
* Are you planning to use any of these themes?
I wish I could, but I am still using Blogspot, so there are limitations.
* Have any of this feature inspired you (whether it’s the challenge itself or the designs)?
Yes, I now know that I must do someting with my template. It is so fucking boring.
I loved emire, the technique which I like the best was the latest post was highlighted I’m intrested in downloading that for my own sites reconstruction and design which is due up next month. That technique is worth explaining.
1. Here’s my ranking.
Treba
Ambiru
Emire
Bosa
Jentri
Simpla
2. Yes, I’m using Treba, since I have no access to an image editor right now, for my poetry blog. I like it a lot.
3. Perhaps… they’re beautiful.
Wonderful themes!
It’s very hard to rank them, since these are really different (and indeed cool) themes. I’m not a big fan of one column themes, but Ambiru just wonderful… Jentri is another favorite of mine. I think I will try to combine both… trying to get a two-column theme that looks like a one-column on the first look. (having the second column with low contrast)
I’m still very impressed. Thanks a lot for your work!
Alex
Howdy Bro.,
I love you design emire! I would like to add athird collum to the left. is there a way to do that?
Thanx,
Blackjack