One of the reasons WordPress is the most popular blogging platform is its theme system. WordPress allows its users with almost unlimited design options when modifying or designing themes. This is a collection of 40 resources that every theme designer can appreciate.
Starting Points:
Blank Themes - If you’re creating your own WordPress themes, these blank themes are a great starting point. They’ll save you time by giving you the bare-bones structure and still allow you the creative freedom to design whatever you want.
6 Themes that are Perfect for Customizing - I wrote an article about customizing themes that listed 6 themes that are great for customizing. Use any one of these as an excellent starting point for your designs.
Color Tools:
A great deal of your theme’s success will depend on the color choices you make. Here are some helpful tools for deciding on the right colors.
Codex Info:
If you have much experience at all with WordPress, you’ve probably at some point referred to their Codex (a source of information on all things WordPress). Here are some of the Codex articles that are most relevant to theme designers.
Search Engine Optimization for WordPress
Icons:
Almost every blog uses icons in one form or another. Here are 4 high-quality sets of icons that are great for your blogging needs.
RSS Icons - Most blog readers now recognize the common, orange RSS icon. Using the icon is a good way to draw attention to your subscription link.
Mini Icons from Brand Spanking New - A free set of greyscale icons that includes such icons as speech bubbles that can be used on blog themes.
Blog Icon Pack from graphicPUSH - Some icons that are commonly used on blogs.
Web 2.0 Icons from Utombox - A number of icons for popular web 2.0 sites like Technorati, Flickr, FeedBurner and more.
Articles and Tutorials:
Here are some of the best articles available for helping you to learn more about all aspects of WordPress themes.
Customize Your Own WordPress Theme
Optimize WordPress for Search Engines
Blog Design 101: Creating Your Own WordPress Theme
Secrets of WP Theming - Part 1
How to Create a WordPress Template or Theme
Photos:
Pictures and images can make a huge difference for a theme. The resources below will provide free or low-cost images. Be sure to check the restrictions if you are distributing the theme. Many of the photos will be limited to your own use and prevent distribution. If you find a photo that you really like you can always contact the photographer and ask them for permission.
Theme Galleries and Places to Distribute:
All of these sites list themes that are available for download. It’s not easy to get a theme listed, but it can really help to get more exposure and downloads.
CSS Galleries:
You’ve worked hard creating a beautiful design. CSS galleries are a great way to get some exposure for your designs.
Support:
You’ll probably experience some difficulties along the way. Most of your questions are already answered in the forums and you can always post new ones.
Validators:
If you’re going to distribute your theme you’ll probably want to make sure it validates.
Browser Testing:
Your visitors will be using many different browsers, which requires testing on your part.
BrowserShots - Get screen shots of your site in a number of different browsers.
BrowserCam - A paid service for testing a site.
40 comments from readers
1 TyCat Nov 20, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Hey, Ive been slowly working on a wp theme for my site. This is a great set of links. Thanks.
2 Vandelay Design Nov 20, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Thanks TyCat, I’m glad it’s useful for you.
3 Mike Nov 21, 2007 at 12:59 am
I appreciate your hard work. This list is very helpful and could possibly save a lot of time.
4 Mohsin Nov 21, 2007 at 3:42 am
A must bookmark for me as I have many WordPress Themes currently under development.
5 Riccardo Giuntoli Nov 21, 2007 at 5:21 am
Give a look also to the fantastic CSS Framework YAML at yaml.de
Best Regards, Riccardo Giuntoli.
6 Alex @ Web 2.0 WordPress Guide Nov 21, 2007 at 6:58 am
This is an awesome resource list! Thanks for sharing as this is really great to have all in one convenient location.
Alex
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10 LGR Nov 21, 2007 at 10:14 am
Great list. Thanks for the resources. I will have to make time to go through them.
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12 Vandelay Design Nov 21, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your feedback. Feel free to leave links to relevant resources if there are other things that you feel readers would benefit from.
13 Daniel Nov 21, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Another post to bookmark.
Keep up the good work Steven.
14 Vandelay Design Nov 21, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Thanks Daniel.
15 Kathleen Nov 21, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Wow! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thanks!
16 merlia Nov 22, 2007 at 2:14 am
I have found here much useful information, thanks for your post, great to be a part of this blog.
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18 Ruchir Nov 24, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Awesome list as always! I love these kind of posts
Especially liked the blog icons…
19 Joost de Valk - WordPress plugin developer Nov 26, 2007 at 3:55 am
Hey, can I point you at my WordPress SEO guide too?
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Great links, i can recommend color picker program to pick colors from websites.
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40 Resources for WordPress Theme Designers…
One of the reasons WordPress is the most popular blogging platform is its theme system. WordPress allows its users with almost unlimited design options when modifying or designing themes. This is a collection of 40 resources that every theme designer c…
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39 Burak Önal Jul 25, 2008 at 4:05 am
A must bookmark for me as I have many WordPress Themes currently under development.
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I have just prepared a complete tutorial on creating wordpress theme from scratch. Can include mine?
link