Community Forums › Forums › Archived Forums › Design Tips and Tricks › Genesis n00b – redesigning and creating child themes
- This topic has 5 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 4 months ago by nutsandbolts.
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December 26, 2013 at 8:07 pm #81344pendraggon87Member
I am curious to hear how most people approach Genesis development. I am building a site for my dad, which is going well and am using a theme I purchased. However, I am curious how most developers create "base" themes that they can then "easily" modify on a per client basis. I havent done web design in several years but may go back into it on the site, and would like to know what people typically do. Do you create one child theme, and just change the styling but leave structure similar for each client, or do you completely redesign the HTML?
December 26, 2013 at 9:56 pm #81350nutsandboltsMemberI usually start with one of the base themes listed here: http://wpspeak.com/5-genesis-starter-themes-start-building-custom-theme/ - I have my own version of each with all the functions and styles I typically include in every site I build.
The layout/structure is different for each client depending on what they need. Since it's so easy to change things with functions in Genesis, developing a completely custom site goes pretty quickly. Sure beats the days of coding HTML from scratch!
Andrea Whitmer, Owner/Developer, Nuts and Bolts Media
I provide development and training services for designers • Find me on Twitter and Google+December 26, 2013 at 10:01 pm #81351pendraggon87MemberThat was one of the biggest concerns for me:
1 - Any licensing issues with using those themes?
2 - How completely custom is it? Don't the modifications made to base themes pretty much just change some color and styling?December 26, 2013 at 10:20 pm #81355nutsandboltsMemberAll Genesis child themes (to my knowledge) are licensed under GPL, meaning you are welcome to use and alter the code in any way you see fit. More on GPL here: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html
The level of modification depends on the designer/dev and the client. I typically create a custom homepage layout, custom page templates, use custom graphics throughout the site, add widget areas, change fonts, use custom post types when appropriate, and include a ton of custom functions. If a client just wants an existing Genesis theme with color changes and a logo, that's a whole different (and much cheaper) service.
Andrea Whitmer, Owner/Developer, Nuts and Bolts Media
I provide development and training services for designers • Find me on Twitter and Google+December 26, 2013 at 10:24 pm #81356pendraggon87MemberThanks! My main forte is backend programming. PHP, MySQL, ASP.NET/C#, python, etc. I am definitely not the best at creating custom graphics, etc.
December 26, 2013 at 10:25 pm #81357nutsandboltsMemberI've always been a coder first, designer second. As long as you know PHP and CSS, you'll be good to go - you can always hire someone to do graphics (which I've been known to do if a deadline is approaching fast).
Andrea Whitmer, Owner/Developer, Nuts and Bolts Media
I provide development and training services for designers • Find me on Twitter and Google+ -
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