Blank WordPress Theme

[Jeffro]

Without all the mumbo jumbo of a theme framework, maybe a Blank theme to start from would be a good way to develop something. For anyone interest Chris Coyier has released the theme he uses as a base to develop sites. Has all the functionality of a WordPress theme with virtually no styling. I'm pretty sure I've seen other themes go down this route but now you can add Chris's to the mix.

http://digwp.com/2010/02/blank-wordpress-theme/

[Ryan]

For mega simplicity I wrote an even simpler theme which removes the blogging style functionality. It's called the "SimpleCMS theme".

http://pixopoint.com/products/simple-cms-theme-update/

[curtismchale]

I've done my own too called Comienzo which is Spanish for start.

http://github.com/curtismchale/Comienzo

I wonder who here hasn't done this for their work?

[Ryan]

My SimpleCMS theme seems to be quite popular amongst those who have a use for it. It's so stupidly simple that anyone with HTML/CSS knowledge can pick it up and create a kick-butt (but feature limited) with almost no knowledge of WordPress at all.

I've often recommended the old StudioPress themes as a base to work from for building more complex themes. They're well documented and easy to use; much simpler than "theme frameworks".

[Brian]

Thank you for the blank themes.

I have been considering making a custom theme for my hockey fan site for some time now.

I moved to Wordpress from a custom built dynamic site and over the past year I have tried a few free themes and modded them here and there.

Perhaps this is the starting point I need!!!

Do either of you or anyone here have a step by step to taking one of these blank themes and progressing to a custom theme?

I am a database programmer, not a designer.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Ryan]

What specifically do you need step by step help with?

I just took the default WordPress theme and figured it out from trial and error. If you know something about programming then you will have a big advantage over those of us who started with no programming knowledge at all.

[bronson.quick]

It's always good seeing how other people start with their themes. I hadn't seen Chris Coyier's one before which surprises me seeing I read most of the stuff Chris posts. I'll have to check it out and see what he starts with in case I can pick up anything new.

I'm like curtismchale and I always start our projects with the Starkers theme by Elliot Jay Stocks http://starkerstheme.com/ then I add in the 960 CSS framework and start from there.

[dgwyer]

My new Twist of Ten theme is a pretty simple clean CMS type theme. I am just about to update it to include some theme options to control the custom front page, header banner ad etc. to be more flexible to users.

http://www.presscoders.com/themes/twist-of-ten-theme/

It is fully WordPress 3.0 ready as it is based on the new default Twenty Ten theme. I coded it up as an exercise to get into theme development to compliment my Plugin and WordPress utility applications. For anyone who wants a more 'traditional' page-centric site it is an ideal starting point, and also supports two custom menus by default.

[dgwyer]

Thank you for the blank themes.

I have been considering making a custom theme for my hockey fan site for some time now.

I moved to Wordpress from a custom built dynamic site and over the past year I have tried a few free themes and modded them here and there.

Perhaps this is the starting point I need!!!

Do either of you or anyone here have a step by step to taking one of these blank themes and progressing to a custom theme?

I am a database programmer, not a designer.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

From my development experience (having used lots of different tools and methods to build plugins and themes) if I could give just ONE single tip it would be to develop your theme locally using the Firebug add-on for Firefox.

What a life saver that little beauty has been. I don't think I could do without it now. Can't put into words what a gem this add-on is! Working with a local copy of WordPress, a good text editor, and Firebug is all I need.. :-)

[Ipstenu]

dgwyer - Check your PM folder :) I tested out your theme and gave some suggestions (short version - VERY neat, needs some admin side GUI to make it stupendous).