summary of theme build
Before the build – what you need:
IA / site plan
this will guide our planning for the templates and UI as well as content input.
content : text / media
ideally full content, at the very minimum: exemplary content type samples (i.e. examples featuring the typical content our site will feature, such as posts with multiple images, or none, or text featuring lists, blockquotes and other formats)
site design prototype
the prototype consist of the typical layouts and includes our final content. It will feature our design in terms of colour, type and spacing as well as any additional elements (images/video/forms) and their presentation within the layout.
WordPress site setup
While it was easy to work on our prototype offline, the theme build will require a server setup to run the PHP. You can set up a local server (using MAMP or the like), or work on a remote server ~ entirely up to you. Initially, you will be mainly working on transferring the structure from prototype to theme files. But in order to preview, test and tweak – you will have to install and activate the theme, be that local or remote.
MAMP
MAMP is a free, local server environment that has been around for a long time and makes working with a local server very easy. Once installed, we can use the local server to set up a database and run PHP. The free option will suffice for our purposes of the theme build.
Wondering whether to work locally or on your server? ~ This will really depend on a few factors. If your internet connection is stable and fast, working remotely will be fine. If your connection is flaky, a local server will allow you an more productive workflow.
In addition, one aspect to bear in mind—specifically with the work on your Major Project—is whether you’re planning to collaborate (with others from your group or us as your tutors). If that is the case, then a remote setup will be your better choice as everyone will be able to preview any progress, even get to files for trouble-shooting if need be.
From prototype to theme
- plan for content types / templates
completed prototype in hand, make notes on your content structure within WordPress in regards to content types such as pages, posts and categories. - content input / WP setups
before you begin your build, your new WordPress site has to be set up and configured, content added with pages/posts/categories as required. While you’re learning, you might feel like rushing ahead. Remember that the ‘content out’ approach for theme building is a technical requirement. Without content in your site, there’s little to see, or view or test and you will not necessarily be able to get your full design implemented. So take your time and get your site setup in place with at least some exemplary content added before diving into the theme build. - theme build
you are now ready to build the theme: opening up the prototype as well as the theme in your code editor, you can now work through the files and implement your static design by transferring your layout structure’s markup (HTML/CSS) to the relevant theme files (PHP).
