* A Note to Wordpress Newbies -

I strongly suggest that you create a test environment before you begin modifying any WordPress files. You can either install a second instance of WordPress through your web host –or- install it locally using software such as XAMPP (Windows, Mac, Linux) or MAMP (Mac). I’ve been using XAMPP for years and absolutely love having the ability to create, edit, modify, and test WordPress themes locally. No matter which way you decide to create a test environment, I recommend that you create a backup copy of the theme you plan to edit. It’s always nice to have an edit copy of your theme files just in case something goes wrong.

Check Out WordPress.org’s Codex

Before you decide to customize your WordPress template I strongly suggest that you visit http://codex.wordpress.org. If you take the time to understand how WordPress works, editing the code will make much more sense. Make sure to read about the loop and template tags. There are tons of simple improvements and customizations that you can make by working with template tags alone.

Change the Default Avatar

Replacing the default avatar or Gravatar with a custom one is a quick and easy way to improve the look of the comments on your blog. It can be done in two steps:

1 - Choose and upload your new default image
Once you have created a your new custom avatar, upload it to your themes default image directory: /wp-content/themes/<your themes directory>/images/.

2 - Edit comments.php
From the dashboard, find Apperance > Editor > comments.php. You will find a line of code that reads:

<?php echo get_avatar( $comment, 32 ); ?>

Once you find that line of code, replace it with:

<?php
    $urlHome = get_option('home');
    echo get_avatar( $comment, $size='32', $default = $urlHome . '/wp-content/themes/default/images/<custom-avatar-filename>' );
?>

Separate Trackbacks / Pingbacks from Comments

In my opinion, mixing trackbacks / pingbacks in with the comments area of you blog is never a good thing. Organization is key when it comes to readable, user-friendly sites and mixing links in with comments interrupts the flow of content. When I decided to separate the trackbacks from the comments on 6b Design, I stumbled across an excellent tutorial by Michael Martin from Pro Blog Design. It is wonderfully written and very easy to follow.

Multiple Widget Friendly Sidebars

Since I’ve been designing WordPress themes, I’ve come across several instances where there has been a need for multiple sidebars. Lets pretend that you would like to use a different sidebar for all of your pages than you would for your blog and the rest of the site. There are a few ways to achieve this. I use the following method:

1 - Make a second copy of sidebar.php -
Make a copy of of sidebar.php, located in /wp-content/themes/<your themes directory>/ and name it sidebar2.php.

2 - Edit sidebar2.php -
In sidebar2.php find the line:

<?php 	/* Widgetized sidebar, if you have the plugin installed. */
	if ( !function_exists('dynamic_sidebar') || !dynamic_sidebar() ) : ?>

and replace it with:

<?php 	/* Widgetized sidebar, if you have the plugin installed. */
	if ( !function_exists('dynamic_sidebar') || !dynamic_sidebar('Sidebar 2') ) : ?>

3 - Edit the functions.php -
In functions.php find the line that looks something like this:

if ( function_exists('register_sidebar') )
    register_sidebar(array(
        'before_widget' => '<li id="%1$s" class="widget %2$s">',
        'after_widget' => '</li>',
        'before_title' => '<h2 class="widgettitle">',
        'after_title' => '</h2>',
    ));

and replace it with:

if ( function_exists('register_sidebar') )
    register_sidebars(2, array('name'=>'Sidebar %d',
        'before_widget' => '<li id="%1$s" class="widget %2$s">',
        'after_widget' => '</li>',
        'before_title' => '<h2 class="widgettitle">',
        'after_title' => '</h2>',
    ));

4 - Edit the page.php -
Because in this instance we would like to use the new sidebar for your pages, you will need edit a few lines of code to your page template, page.php. Find the line:

<?php get_sidebar(); ?>

and replace it with:

<?php include ('sidebar2.php'); ?>

To use multiple sidebars on a single page, just include:

<?php include ('sidebar.php'); ?>
<?php include ('sidebar2.php'); ?>

Viola! Now you can position and style your sidebars to suit your needs. Both sidebars are widget friendly so you will be able to add widgets from the Dashboard.

Create a Static Front Page

There are many ways to create a static front page with dynamic content. I wanted a static front page for 6bdesign.com that displayed excerpts of my latest posts. It has some disadvantages, but if you use FeedBurner, you can take a short cut and use BuzzBoost to redisplay your post excerpts. You can also create a new page template to use for your front page that will do the same – without using a second party service.

1 – Create a front page and a posts page –

If you would like to hide your static front page from your navigation menu or page widget, please see this entry from WordPress support.

2 – Create a new page template -
The following template will display whatever page content you would like (editable through Dashboard > Pages > Edit) followed by blog post excerpts. Using a text editor, create a file and name it something like frontpage.php. Copy and paste the following code into it then upload it to your theme directory. For this tutorial I am using the default WordPress template so it would need to go in /wp-content/themes/default/.

<?php
/* Template Name: Front Page Template
*/
get_header(); ?>
<div id="content" class="narrowcolumn">
<!-- Begin Page Content -->
  <?php if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?>
  <div class="post" id="post-<?php the_ID(); ?>">
      <h2><?php the_title(); ?></h2>
    <div class="entry">
      <?php the_content(); ?>
    </div>
    <?php edit_post_link('Edit this entry.', '<p>', '</p>'); ?>
  </div>
  <?php endwhile; ?>
<!-- End Page Content -->
<!-- Begin Post Excerpts -->
  <h2>Latest Blog Entries</h2>
  <?php $temp_query = $wp_query; ?>
  <?php query_posts('showposts=5'); ?>
  <?php while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?>
  <div class="post" id="post-<?php the_ID(); ?>">
      <h2><a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to <?php the_title_attribute(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></h2>
      <small><?php the_time('F jS, Y') ?></small>
    <div class="entry">
      <?php the_excerpt(); ?>
    </div>
<!-- End Post Excerpts -->
  </div>
  <?php endwhile; ?>
  <?php endif; ?>
</div>
php get_sidebar(); ?>
<?php get_footer(); ?>

You may display as many or as few posts as you would like by changing the number on line 20. You can also change what type of posts to display. If you would to see posts from a specific category, in this case, “Updates”, change line 20 to read:

<?php query_posts('category_name=updates&showposts=5'); ?>

If you would like to see only posts that use a specific tag, you would use:

<?php query_posts('tag=updates&showposts=5')>

Check out Codex for more information for addition information about what you do with post queries.

3 – Select the new “Front Page Template” for your front page –
From the WordPress 2.7x dashboard, go to Pages > Edit and select the front page that you just created. Under Attributes > Template, select “Front Page Template”. Now when you visit your site, you should see you see should display your page content as well as excerpts from your latest posts.

Disclaimer:
Experimenting with code is always a great way to learn. The tutorials on this site are simply examples of what has worked for me. I make no claim or guarantee that they will work for you. If anything should happen to your computer, WordPress site, databases, etc., it is understood that the responsibility is yours and not mine.

These days, I don’t often find myself drawing just for the sake of drawing. If I have a sketchbook in my lap and a pencil in my hand, chances are that I’m sketching a logo, illustration or a website mock-up for a client. When I do find spare time, I try to experiment with new styles to sharpen my skills and expand my creative abilities. Usually I need to go looking for inspiration. But on occasion, like the first time I laid eyes on the cover art for Mario Strikers Charged, inspiration finds me.

The cover art for Mario Strikers Charged really caught my attention. I have a tendency to draw realistically, using only pencil, so I have a great appreciation for artists who use lots of color and / or pull off that rough sketch look. It inspired me to dust off my box of oil pastels that I hadn’t used since high school! Check out the entire cast of characters with their new, darker looks:

What Inspires You?

If you have anything that you would like to include in this series, please let me know! Send your post, your website URL (optional) and any pictures you would like to include to krissy@6bdesign.com.

Although people like to belittle Myspace, the fact of the matter is that Myspace.com is still one of the most visited sites on the internet. No matter if you are an organization, corporation, company, band, or just a regular person, it’s pretty much expected that you have a Myspace page.

As Dana from BandSpaces points out “Myspace is one of the most highly recognized websites on the internet targeted towards young adults. If you want to get the word out about your company or band, Myspace is the way to do it. A custom Myspace page is one that will draw attention and get you noticed! It can be a visitor’s first impression of you, so it is key to make it an impression that will last. An attractive page can also increase your potential customers or fans. It is something that will keep them coming back”.

Band Spaces

Here are some of the amazing Myspace pages designed by BandSpaces:

Compassion International

gONNA gET gOT

Hooters

Piazza Bar

Shine Drums

Zone Music

Michael Austin Productions

Here are some of the amazing Myspace pages designed by Michael Austin Productions:

Requiem Design

Saving Radio

Here are some personal pages that I happened across that really stood out:

Eston Bond

KG & Stuff

Only Lucio

Instead of browsing through sites like CSS Zen Garden or Best Web Gallery hoping to be inspired, I try to look for what I call everyday inspiration. I look at the everyday items that surround me: CDs, DVDs, books, magazines, catalogs, even product and food packaging. You see these items everyday and might not give any thought to their design. But just like a website, most all of these items have a layout, a logo, different typefaces, artwork, combinations of colors, patterns, etc. I know it’s pretty nerdy, but I even look at some of their layouts and think of how I’d splice them to code them as a website.

I am going to write a series of posts about the everyday items that inspire me. Hopefully some of the posts will help to inspire you too. And if you have anything that you would like to include in this series, please let me know! Send your post, your website URL (optional) and any pictures you would like to include to krissy@6bdesign.com.

If you know of any amazing Myspace pages that should be included on the list, please send me the URL with a brief description of what makes it stand out, along with your name (and your website URL if you want it included) to myspace@6bdesign.com before December 8, 2008.

Over the past few months I’ve been spending all of my spare time working on a new design for the site. After designing about five or six new layouts, I finally came up with one that I liked. This new layout is much cleaner, simpler and even easier to navigate than before. I hope you like it! Make sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Lots of New Projects
As you can obviously see, I haven’t been doing such a great job updating my blog. There is a very good reason for this… I’ve been super busy! I have been non-stop working with new clients. It’s been a truly amazing experience. I am working simultaneously on five new projects. It’s been hard to find the time to eat or sleep let alone write new articles for the blog. That’s the reason why I’m writing this in the middle of the night!

Finally, A Portfolio!
With all of the new logo and web design projects I have been working on, I’ll finally have enough recent work to build the portfolio. The portfolio will be “unveiled” in conjunction with the launch of the new and improved 6b Design interface. It will include all of the web interfaces and logos I’ve designed as well as my photography, drawings, and paintings.

Follow Me
I might not have had the time to update this blog on a regular basis but I’ve still made time for Twitter! If you want to keep in touch, you can always follow me: twitter.com/6bdesign.

Will Design for Food:
I don’t want to spill the beans yet, but I have a very cool design project and a potential long-term employment opportunity in the works. The design project should be completed within the month, so I can share more about it with you then. As for the long-term gig, I don’t want to talk about it until it is a sure thing. In the meantime, I am still available for any / all design projects that come my way. So if you are interested, please contact me – I’d love to take care of all of your graphic / web design needs!

Networking, Deviously:
I’ve been a member of deviantArt.com since 2005, but never took the time to “make friends” or upload much of my art. In the last month I’ve begun to upload some of my art and make “friends”. If you have a dA account, please visit me at http://gwydian.deviantart.com. I’d love to see your work, share mine, and make friends with you! And if you don’t have an account with dA, consider making one – it’s a great place to find inspiration and network with other artists.

Side Project: Success!
One of my side projects, Blendetta.com, has really started to take off! My friend Amirah and I have been running Blendetta for about a year now, and decided to make some much needed changes. It was originally a “Blogger” site. I decided to switch to Wordpress and host it with BlueHost. We’ve also opened an online-store; selling our Blendetta merch through Zazzle. Since we’ve made these changes and posted some new articles, we’ve been receiving thousands of visitors everyday. So if you get bored or have some time to kill, visit Blendetta.com to read about everything pop-culture.

Well, that’s about it for now. I’m in the middle of writing some really informative design articles. Make sure to visit me again some time soon to give them a read and to check out my latest design project!

Web Forms - using web forms adds professionalism, function, and a splash of flair to your site. Many webmasters and (especially bloggers) still use a simple “mailto:whoever@whateverdomain.com” instead of using a contact web form page. This isn’t a good idea for a lot of reasons. When you display your email address on your page, you are more setting yourself up to receive lots of spam. Spambots crawl the internet and collect email addresses from websites so that you get lots of junk in your inbox. When you use mail forms you have the option to use CAPTCHAs. The use of CAPTCHAs will not stop all spammers from sending you junk, but it will significantly reduce the amount. If you aren’t “tech-savvy” enough to write your own contact form, there are services such as Icebrrg that can do it for you. For Wordpress users, I recommend the cformsII plugin. Using cformsII allows you to easily create, manage, customize, and style forms for your Wordpress blog.

Unobtrusive Advertisements - No one likes advertisements on websites, but I think that most people understand that they are a necessary evil. Ads keep a lot of free services free. They can also make bloggers and webmasters a little money to help keep their sites afloat. Advertisements are usually placed in areas of high visibility: in the header, sidebar, before and after posts – and that’s fine. What isn’t fine, in my opinion, are ads that are obtrusive and annoying. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: your message and content should be the main focus of your site. Pop-ups, those talking ads (ie – You’ve won a free iPod!), and ads that expand across the width of the page aren’t just annoying, they really detract from your page! Anything that diverts your visitors’ attention away from your content is just plain bad. So in summary, advertisements are fine, as long as they are tasteful and noninvasive.

Add Social Bookmarking & Sharing - Most blogs these days include links to sites such as Digg, Reddit, Technorati, Mixx, Del.icio.us, Stumble Upon, etc. at the end of their posts. But believe it or not, I still see a number of blogs without any sharing links. Adding social bookmarking to your blog is a must if you want to increase traffic. You shouldn’t rely on your visitors to go to these sites and “manually” submit your posts – you have to do the first step for them. It’s relatively easy to add the links to your posts, but if you’d rather, you can always use sharing buttons such as ShareThis or AddThis.

Encourage Comments On Your Blog – Visitors who leave comments will often return to your blog to check for replies. Getting return visits is always a good thing! One way to encourage people to leave comments is by using a “Recent Comments” plugin / widget. People are more likely to leave a comment if they can see their name, usually linked to their own website, on the main page or sidebar of your blog. Also, keep in mind that requiring visitors to be logged in discourages a lot of people from commenting.

If you have anything to add or tips of your own, please feel free to leave a comment and share!

I [used to spend] most of my time “playing on the computer” creating ANSI and ASCII art for local Baltimore bulletin board systems. I was pretty successful and belonged to “underground art scene” groups such as Remorse (a division of ACiD), CiA, Mimic, Unit and my own group, Aspire.

For fun, I decided to dig around and gather up a bunch of my old-school artwork. Oh how I miss the days of WWiV, Telix, and ACiD Draw.

Please take a look through my ANSI / ASCII gallery. If you were a fan of BBSes and sixteen-color artwork, you’ll enjoy the stroll down memory lane.