Building A Portfolio Theme For Creative Think Tank DC

Case Study | Series One

This week I decided to roll up my sleeves and begin a clear strategy for adding a portfolio section to Creative Think Tank DC Home page. At this point in the design, we are nearly at the conceptualizing and research phase of the process.  But I have identified seven key ares of concentration for the home page.

Including developing and strategizing on the following areas of concentration:

• Client Work
• Explorations
• Print Design
• Visual Design
• Responsive/Mobile
• Consulting Services
• (B to B) Public Speaking Consulting

WIth additional areas of concentration and a sign in form for contracting our services and case study groups as well.

Framework

The design concept for the custom WP theme is like no other I have ever created before. And to clear a few misconceptions regarding WordPress themes and how they are used within a web design workflow.

Recently, I had the misfortune of working with what I have to say; was the most condescending  client in recent history. Who did not understand my explanations about  design esthetic with WordPress. Including pricing, and client responsibility to deliver the right kinds of assets for his self made piece of stuff iWeb site.

But that is another story.

And I digress,

and lets get back to talking about the framework for my portfolio theme!!

I have decide to create a custom HTML5/Responsive template using Dreamweaver. And to integrate WP via dynamic related files for the blog portion of the portfolio. And the reasons are quite simple behind the decision:

During the brainstorming sessions  a few key problems emerged like liquid magma erupting from tectonic plates from within the earth. And yes, it does sound a bit melodramatic of a metaphor to compare the eruption of planet earth with a simple design process of a site. But sometimes all your study and hard work is laid upon your head in pure inspiration and the computer screen is only tool which can aid your creative flow. And the results at least on paper thus far illustrate simple and elegant designs.

This kind of workflow, combining the power of DW template static files and plug-in integration with JQ, JS and CSS stylesheets  allows for a perfect static home page with customizable widget areas. And lets not forget those (CSS3 Media Queries) for Responsive Design. And with the power of WP dynamic generated files built within the application, I can code and live preview my custom child theme structure on the fly.  Allowing to tailor both custom templates and adjust all the CSS layout models.

Depending on time between new client work and other project, I might do a follow up when the site is at a beta stage. Lets see.

Next Steps

Subscribe To Our Newsletter Fan Page:

Subscribe Today!

Your daily source of creative inspiration in art, design, technology and culture. Help spread our grassroots art journal magazine by sharing and telling a friend. We look forward in hearing from you on or Fan Page or in the comments below.