I’ve uploaded my current project, ThemeMeme Aperio, to my sandbox. If you want a preview of my next theme, have a peek inside my kitchen.
Update: I’ve now posted a preliminary version of this theme. You’ll find it at WordPress Theme: ThemeMeme Aperio Prototype.
This theme is designed specifically for image heavy sites: photographers, illustrators, designers. The preview includes some wonderful photographs by odegaard.
There’s still lots of work to do, I’m still playing with the design, and there are lots of kinks to fix. Feel free to post your feedback in the comments.
To be notified when the theme is released, please subscribe to ThemeMeme.
Also, rather than publish my themes only to post updates one after the other to fix the one or two minor things I’ve overlooked, I’m looking for two or three people to be beta testers. If you’d like to be the first to take it for a spin, post a comment and I’ll send you the theme via email just before release.
Note: I’ll always be working on something in the sandbox, so if you don’t see Aperio you’ll be looking at my most recent work in progress.
I admire how you’re constantly pushing WordPress to do different things. That is, in my opinion, what a good theme should do. Personally, I think the generic blog layout is, not only superficially ugly, but completely unintuitive. Hopefully your experimentation will catch on. In fact, I’m working on a design for a friend’s blog — I decided to use it as an opportunity to experiment for myself.
Also, I’d be happy to test the theme. I’d love to take a look under the hood and see what I could do with it.
Thanks, Andrew. I really don’t like the typical blog look, so the fun for me is in trying out different things. Aperio needs a lot of work, but I’m doing a few things under the hood that I haven’t tried before. I’ll send you the beta, hopefully in a week or so. Thanks for being willing to test it out.
The theme is looking great! I became excited when I read you were developing a theme for photographers, etc. I’ll withold questions and wait to see how it develops. As usual, great work.
Thanks, Nick. BTW, great photographs!
Hi,
I’m willing to beta test the theme when it comes out. Or I guess technically before it comes out. Mike
Looks awesome Robert! Can’t wait to see the finished product.
Wow that looks awesome… could be a great starter for a project i’m working on… Will follow the development of this with more than a little interest.
Whoah! Sorta reminds me of one of the magazine examples from Transcending CSS. Very, very nice.
… although I feel I should be able to click on the excerpts. It’s what I immediately went to do.
@Michael: Thanks, I’ll send you the theme when it’s ready for testing.
@Will and Bob: Thanks! I hope to finish it before the end of next week.
@Ian: I forgot about Transcending CSS. I’ll have to have another look at that book. And I agree, you should be able to click on the excerpts. Not sure the best way to code that, but I’ll play with it.
Dude! Properly impressed with this work. I have held of for so long on starting a blog because I simply cant stomach the generic look of every page.
I came across your site 20 minutes ago and suddenly the world of well designed blogging opens up. I have since downloaded wordpress, your Modicus theme and am looking at a busy weekend I suspect!
However Aperio just smashes open a whole new level for me. I didnt know this sort of thing could be done at all and if I’m gonna get my hands properly dirty with CSS this is what I want to work in. I am a relative beginner with CSS so perhaps letting me loose on the Beta will help identify the stuff less experienced users might stumble on?
top notch mate.
Thanks, Darryl. My goal with Aperio is to return to the spaciousness of Modicus, but have more emphasis on the images. And yes, my mantra is: Why do blogs have to look like blogs?
If you’re working with Modicus, you’ll see that things aren’t too tidy under the hood. I’m still pretty sloppy, but things have gotten better as I learn more and develop (slightly) better habits.
I’ll send you the beta when it’s ready, but it won’t be before later next week. Still a lot of work to do.
Brilliant! I love how the text sits on top of the images. The color is really muted which makes the photos shine even more. However, I do feel that the Logo at the top battles with the photos slighty. I also agree with Ian’s excerpt clicking thing. As soon as the color changes, I expect that I should be able to click and go somewhere. Other than that I LOVE it. can’t wait to see a full version!
Thanks, Allan. I agree with you about the logo, but it’s just a placeholder. I may play with different header ideas, or just leave it for people to replace with their own logo.
Actually, I began with the excerpt being hyperlinked, but noticed that it didn’t validate. You can’t nest block level elements in an anchor tag, so if I use a h2 for the title and the excerpt is wrapped in a p (which it is), it doesn’t validate. But I’m trying to find a way to finesse it (trying very hard to have code that validates). I’ll probably have to nest the excerpt in the h2. I found a plugin that strips the p tag out of the excerpt.
Beautiful work once again, Robert! I’d love to test out the new theme and report back to you!
Thanks, Eli. I’ve added you to the beta list.
Cool. Validity is essential. Hopefully the plugin helps out. Where can I find the plugin?
The plugin is No Excerpt P. It strips out the p altogether.
It’s about time! I’ve been looking forever for ways to accomplish this sort of layout, amazing work.
I would be honored to beta as well.
Thx!
Thanks, Sun. I’ll add you to the beta list.
Hey Robert, I like what you have going with this new theme. I look forward to the release of it as well.
Robert I stumbled on your site through a series of fortunate clicks out of creative synthesis.com. This theme is absolutely awesome, wondering I you’d mind adding me to your beta list. If not no problem I’ve subscribed to your RSS. Looking forward to watching your work! Cheers!
Thanks, Kyle.
Ryan, I’ve added you to the beta list. I should be sending it out soon…
Robert please add me to the beta list as well if you haven’t already, thanks.
Will do, Kyle.
I’ve just sent out a beta to everyone who expressed interest above. I think I have enough testers for now.
I do need some PHP/WordPress help, so if anyone know PHP and can help me with some simple custom coding, I’d be grateful. I’ve reached the limit of my skills in that area.
I’m hoping to finish the theme by the end of this week. I’ll keep you posted!
I’m a photojournalist, and I’m in the midst of designing my portfolio site. I think Aperio will be perfect for my needs. Please keep me updated, and great work, from the preview!
looks great robert.
look forward to giving a road test.
this is fucking cool! plesae let me know when is published… good work!
I’ve released a version of this theme here: WordPress Theme: ThemeMeme Aperio Prototype.
This theme is absolutely beautiful–nicely done. I’d love to know when it’s published. Also, I thought you might be interested to check out my implementation of Minim here…
http://broccoliandchee.se/
David, looks great. You can grab the early version of Aperio. See link above your comment.
Just downloaded and checking it out. Would love to get further releases / downloads / betas. Thanks! And yes, a gift to the world: nicely designed blogs!
Your themes are awesome.…great job!
Hi Robert,
what a great idea, I love the look of the preview image/text boxes. Perfect for designers. I’m just setting up my design blog and would love to beta test, if you want to get feedback from a right user. Looking forward to the final product.
AL
Hello — this is an STUNNING template. My wife and I are using it for her Italian tutoring blog. It really is beautiful.
I don’t know how to get the actual thumbnail pictures to show where the dates are. How do you do that?
Thanks for any insight?
This theme is just awesome… it’s exactly what I have been looking for and it’s the the fire under my backside to start a project I have been putting off becasue I couldn’t find the right layout.
Thanks so much for the theme!!
:D
This theme looks amazing!! I am looking forward to using it for my photography blog!!