You know by now that WordPress is an open source application that many programmers from the community contribute their knowledge to program/develop its ability to perform. Similarly, “PLUGINS” are developed by the community to do… about anything, to extend performance. The following is a list of “must have” plugins that perform utility services like SEO, backing up the database, create XML sitemaps. Then there are plugins that manage photos, create contact forms.

Many of the plugins available are free. You sometimes get what you pay for but often you get the sweetest gem that does exactly the simple task you need. Plugins you have to pay for are called “Premium Plugins”, just like the themes you pay for are “Premium Themes”. When working on client based projects. These are excellent because you can get your client to pay for them! Read the rest of this entry »

THEMES

You have had a brief introduction to what a theme is in wordpress. The next step is getting the theme loaded into your server folder and activate it. First, you must choose a theme. A great place to start is in the WordPress Codex: http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/. Read the rest of this entry »

When using WP, you have many opportunities to navigate through the contents of your website. The primary navigation is what we commonly refer to as the “main navigation” of the site. It is obvious that you should refer to it in reference to moving through the core content of the website. There are other ways WP provides you opportunities to explore/find content on a website.

Many WP sites have a “sidebar”. This is a column that has secondary content which is useful in finding more specific or new content. Another is the “footer”. Found always at the bottom of the page and provides opportunities to navigate. Read the rest of this entry »

Each year we evolve the GFC materials. This year we choose a stock photo image to use in the header. Which also translated into the printed promotional material. We use WordPress to manage all the content. It includes a series of plugins for contact forms and eCommerce. Visit the site at: http://www.thegoodfoodcollective.com

Before you start to build anything, you should list the pages you will need, determine if you will need “Posts” (include categories) and map out the website using the following method.

This “IS” the process you must use. I am not one for rules but this one I stand by. A few years ago a guy named Jesse James Garrett decided it was necessary for everyone planning a website to use the same “language” and “process”. He wrote a brilliant book that easily informs how a group can communicate these essential parts to beginning and building an interactive project.

I highly recommend you read this book if you decide to stick with web design as a career. Anyone who wants to hire you that is good, will be following this process or something darn close to it. The Elements of User Experience Read the rest of this entry »

This is the first project that I worked on with Laura Kammermeier of Honeoye Falls business, Birds, Words and Websites. Mydarndest was contracted to consult, design and program a new website for Seneca White Deer, Inc. This site includes lots of content developed by Laura about the White Deer and the Seneca Army Depot. On this side of the project, we worked out developing a donation and membership system using Cforms plugin. Including the use of the plugins auto-replies to help with the process. It also includes the ability of making online purchases using WP e-Commerce Plug-in. The core structure of the web site was created using the Thesis theme per request of client.

The project is a solid use of WordPress and its available plug-ins to help this small non-profit. We can report that within 4 hours of launching the web site there were 2 requests for membership!

During my term as President of AIGA Upstate New York, I was fortunate enough to have Debbie Millman of Sterling Brands visit Rochester for a lecture. Part of my responsibility was to design promotional materials for the event. Creating something that touches upon contemporary typography and stays withing AIGA brand standards. Posters were printed and sold at the event. Debbie was kind enough to sign them to add to the overall success of the evening.

One accomplishment during my term as president of AIGA Upstate New York was to re-establish new methods of communication using the internet. Along with Debi Bower, Web Chair, I designed and assisted with the re-skinning the web site. The back-end of the site is provided by AIGA and each chapter has the ability to change it to appropriately brand it to their chapter.
One important addition to the web site is the rotating banners showcasing work from our members. It is inspired by the AIGA.ORG web site which includes images from the AIGA Archives.

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I am not claiming to be a videographer, just a guy who likes to make stuff. This time it was a video for the Good Food Collective to kick off the 2010 Growing Season. Thanks to Chris and Brian for being good sports and contributing to my playfulness.