This doesn’t seem correct—an empty search should return no results.

Doing a web search for the problem, most answers suggest modifying the search query with $query->set('post__in', array(0));. This doesn’t work. The results still contain everything.

The post__in array needs one small change to work; switch the 0 to a -1.

Add the final function to functions.php:

function mysite_empty_search_term_results($query)
{
  $search_query = trim(get_search_query());

  if (!is_admin() && $query->is_main_query() && $query->is_search() && empty($search_query)) {
    $query->set('post__in', array(-1));
  }
}

add_action('pre_get_posts', 'mysite_empty_search_term_results');

More is more when it comes to this illustration. It started as doodling randomly with symmetry enabled in Procreate, and I just kept going. I let my brain dance across the canvas without worrying about what the drawing would be, if I focused too much in one area, skipped around the canvas too much, or even if I’d finish it.

The random and carefree nature of the exercise worked well for my ADHD brain, and hyperfocus set in. Eventually, my creativity and eye for design started making sense of the chaos—finding patterns, making connections, and filling space.

I focused layers of shapes and color to transform the randomness into a typographic illustration with an H in the foreground and an I (i) in the background. I still let my mind wander and work where it wanted to work, but a little curation along the way helped to reinforce the the overall forms.

I’ll experiment with this style again. It was a refreshing experience to work without the pressures to finish or make something “good” that I’d normally put on myself. I’m happy with the result, and it’s a win toward my learning to live with and embrace my ADHD.

Process Time Lapse

Playing with texture and radial symmetry in Procreate.

I started this sketch of a stylized petri dish a few months ago in my sketchbook, and yesterday, I was inspired to add some color. My first thoughts were to go with a muted color scheme in yellows, browns, and greens, but as I started adding ink to the page, the idea evolved into something different and much more colorful.

Hues shift around the image to show subtle mutations occurring as the microorganisms divide and the colonies grow.

Earlier this week, I was inspired by Microbe Art Walk (and #MicrobeArtWalk on Twitter) to draw something small. It started with shapes and a color palette derived from diatoms and grew from there.

Eric Meyer launched a redesign of his site a few days ago. The design is inspired by Hamonshu, Vols. 1-3, a Japanese book of wave and ripple designs, published in 1903. In his post, he talks about his inspirations and design process. The final result is beautiful with lots of small details and touches.

As a follow-up, he also posted his method to add pseudo-random illustrations with CSS as separators between entries on the site.

If you’re a fan of atmospheric phenomena and forces of nature that tweet, then you’re really going to love Karl! San Francisco sure does. 

A composite of two old iPhone photos.

Rob Weichert writes about creating color schemes for his new site using Sass color functions.

Explore CSS Grid and modern CSS layout techniques with Jen Simmons, Designer Advocate at Mozilla.

Follow Jen Simmons on Twitter for of content related to CSS grid and Firefox’s Dev Tools.

Sarah Drasner tweets about Vue.js and other web development and design topics.

It was a beautifully clear day for the view. The mountain on the horizon is Mount Diablo, a 45 mile drive from where the photo was taken.

As the boyfriend constantly reminds me, there’s no money to be made in bird portraiture. I like taking them anyway.

The clouds this evening were the most fascinating I’ve ever seen. What a difference 4 minutes makes during sunset!

… or at least the clouds are. I’ve never seen anything quite like this before.

That sex scene in sense8, season 2… This was the view. In a couple of the panning shots, you can see the spires of St. Paul’s Catholic Church.

In the middle of nowhere in South Carolina, people have yards, so parks aren’t often as important as they are in the city.

I’ve visited a lot over the past few years and have lived here a few months, and I still have a sense of wonder over the parks in San Francisco. I love coming to Dolores Park on a nice day to see people enjoying the sunshine — and the dogs are the best.

Summer (or almost Summer) in San Francisco. Karl is a daily visitor.

Bob snapped this pic of a friend and me atop Corona Heights. The friend was visiting from out of town, so we decided to give him a grand tour of San Francisco’s hills today.

And yes, I did shamelessly edit this photo for my About page.

The water was absolutely freezing at Ocean Beach, as usual. That’s one brave swimmer.

Bacchus was unpainted and a little boring. He needed some color and shine.

I’ve seen more rainbows in San Francisco than I have anywhere else. This one was fantastic!

Every move involves a trip to IKEA. It’s just a fact of life.

Greenwood, SC → Memphis, TN → Amarillo, TX → Kingman, AZ → San Francisco, CA

The countryside was beautiful for the drive, but after four days of driving and riding across nine states, from South Carolina to California, seeing this was even better.

I’m almost home.

This isn’t what I had in mind for a desert.

Somewhere in Texas with windmills.

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear, and they’re also covered with ice.

Winter in San Francisco.

Bernal Heights – San Francisco, CA – Pick a Year

I love the lines of this photo. It was taken on the bay-facing side of Bernal Heights.

I spotted this random orchid on a windowsill during a walk through Noe Valley. The spot of color in the sea of white looked nice, so I had to snap a shot.

at the San Francisco Zoo. Taken by Bob.