Brisk Studios » Design

Theme Starter for WordPress 3.0

mikeb — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:55:12 +0000

My second theme release for WordPress called Theme Starter. You can find my first theme here.

This theme is 3.0 compatible. This theme is meant to be a single theme starter for those that need a starting place without trying to take apart a more complex theme. It uses the 3.0 navigation, and includes the post thumbnails (option).

add the_post_thumbnail(); to uses the post thumbnail feature.

Here is a screenshot:

Here is a Live Demo

And you can find the download here: Theme Starter

Web Designer Magazine portfolio article

mikeb — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:48:41 +0000

I recently had a chance to submit my web design portfolio to a very well known and well designed magazine called Web Designer Magazine. A couple a months ago I recieved an email from them saying I got accepted. I was thrilled and super excited. My article is in May magazine, Issue 170. Here is a screenshot from my iPad.

Are You Pushing Me?

mikeb — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:46:40 +0000

Part of my passion for design is being challenged and pushed beyond my current abilities, whether it’s in design, coding, or typography. I think we’re at our best when we’re inspired by a challenge or stretching. There are several influences in my life to that effect. One is a very talented designer and photographer, her name is Jane Johnson from Jane Johnson Photography here in Central Oregon. First, she is an amazing photographer, you can see her work here. Second, she has an amazing talent for designing personal, outside of the box, and unique custom WordPress blogs. The challenge to me was to take her photoshop mockups and make it a WordPress blog. This is pretty much a PSD to WordPress process, but because of her very custom ideas for the blog it becomes a challenge. Now through this process I’ve really advanced my knowledge in several areas like PHP, CSS, and JS. So, despite being challenging it has really helped me to grow as a designer and coder. I always look forward to the next project that we do because of the end result. You can view some of the work here: http://www.customphotographyblogs.com

Another influences for me is the design community as a whole. Each day I wake and check my twitters and RSS feeds, and each day there’s something the really grabs my attention or I just find amazing. I always find myself looking and wishing I could do those things. Well, thanks to the design community I can. People are willing to share there projects and knowledge and for that I am very thankful.

My question for you is, are you being pushed? Are you ready for a challenge? or are you just stuck in the same old ways and never growing or developing a passion for your career.

Who or what pushes you?

The Life Blood of My Design

mikeb — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:23:55 +0000

Picture this: Your driving along the coast on a warm summer’s evening, windows down, and fresh air blowing on your face. You turn a corner and the most beautiful golden sunset hits your eyes. What do you do? You stop to fill your mind and breath in the visually magnificent once in lifetime sunset. Next, you browse to your favorite site or artist on a warm summer’s evening, favorite song playing, and fresh brewed coffee smell hitting your face. You click on the front page and there’s a new post with a drawing of an amazing golden summer sunset that they did that captured the same beauty.

The reason I had you picture those two different but alike scenarios is to ask, What is the better inspiration?

My answer is both, we can’t really have one without the other. Sure we can look at other people’s work, but they had to get their work from somewhere too.

I live and breath the ever growing web design world, any design really. I find inspiration in all areas: internet, TV, nature, clothes, people, and typography. The list could keep going forever. I really find inspiration in other people’s work. It amazes me the creative, unique, mind blowing, and inspiring artists we have in the web and design world. Some of my favorite artists and designers include:

James White, Chris Wallace, Aaron Irizarry, Kyle Steed, Josh Cagwin, Adelle Charles, David Leggett and the list goes on. They each have their own personal and different ways of creativness, whether it’s simplicity, creativity, aesthetics, or shear talent. They all have one thing in common and that is community. They’re both willing and want to share their work or passions with other people. I usually find they go above and beyond to encourage and motivate other people. Their passion is to see other people share their passion.

So, share some of your favorite places, sites, designs, or artist that inspires you.

I’ll leave you with some of my own inspiration:

and my favorite design quote by the Fuel Brand Team -