Introducing Studio: Our latest WordPress, MultiSite and BuddyPress theme
WPMU DEV Community
Introducing Studio: Our latest WordPress, MultiSite and BuddyPress theme
Theme Designer
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Tammie
Theme Designer
—
20th September 2010 (1 year ago)
Today we've got another release for you in the form of our latest theme Studio.
What is Studio?
Studio is a highly versatile theme that works for WordPress, MS and BuddyPress. It's got a nice clean and simple theme with 4 colour variations and also the ability to create your own version. Lets go over a few features:
- Build your own home page - choose slideshow, 2 featured 'content bucket' areas and a widget area
- Global call to action header - set a header throughout your site with a title, description and link button
- Google font directory built in - yep that's right we didn't just stick with the boring web safe fonts we now let you not only have Google fonts used in this design but also choose your own to add if you want to change the font. We've built in support for all the current fonts in the Google font directory - just pick the font using the drop down and it will auto insert.
- Custom header image - add a banner to your site or advert
- Community sliding panel - Yes you read that right! Our own Sarah from wpmu.org released a plugin we all love and loved so much we built one for this theme based on the JQuery sliding panel she used in hers. We created a stand alone one that doesn't require a plugin and does things a little differently with a smaller size and other changes. We hope you like this exciting feature.
- Simple SEO: Built in global title, keywords and description - default is off to avoid clashing with plugins and if you don't enter a title it uses WordPress built in title function
- Branding - add your own logo in 2 sizes
- Google analytics and footer links built in
- Sign up box - sign up section that auto detects your site format
- 4 colour variations and built in colour pickers to allow you to create your own colour scheme
- We listened to you about comments in code and throughout any custom code we've added on top of WordPress and BuddyPress we've made sure we comment any id and start or end of major scripting / components
- W3 validation - out of box validates for all those interested in optimization - we've also done a ton of other small but significant optimizations to the structure we're using for themes
- Documentation - We listen to you and that was one area you wanted us to improve on so hope we have. You simply have to check out our new PDF manual format that comes with 2 maps for customization and theme options with number keys! We also will have a video demo and tutorial coming in the next few weeks for this theme.
- Tweaked theme options section - we've looked at the clarity of our theme options area and tried to improve on that. We are always looking to improve things and your feedback has resulted in many of the changed throughout this theme not just in theme options.
- Multiple sidebars - we've added a sidebar for all occasions and a footer widget area also - want a sidebar for 404, single, archive, BuddyPress, search, blog, page - no problem :)
- All our usual features like a blog/news template, wp3 navigation, featured images, parent and child themes, theme options and mo / po files.
- ... tons more we encourage all to just try this theme we think you'll enjoy it :)
4842 pointsLike some sort of WPMU DEV GodMindblowingly helpful memberLifetime member
Theme Designer
—
20th September 2010 (1 year ago)
#
Today we've got another release for you in the form of our latest theme Studio.
What is Studio?
Studio is a highly versatile theme that works for WordPress, MS and BuddyPress. It's got a nice clean and simple theme with 4 colour variations and also the ability to create your own version. Lets go over a few features:
- Build your own home page - choose slideshow, 2 featured 'content bucket' areas and a widget area
- Global call to action header - set a header throughout your site with a title, description and link button
- Google font directory built in - yep that's right we didn't just stick with the boring web safe fonts we now let you not only have Google fonts used in this design but also choose your own to add if you want to change the font. We've built in support for all the current fonts in the Google font directory - just pick the font using the drop down and it will auto insert.
- Custom header image - add a banner to your site or advert
- Community sliding panel - Yes you read that right! Our own Sarah from wpmu.org released a plugin we all love and loved so much we built one for this theme based on the JQuery sliding panel she used in hers. We created a stand alone one that doesn't require a plugin and does things a little differently with a smaller size and other changes. We hope you like this exciting feature.
- Simple SEO: Built in global title, keywords and description - default is off to avoid clashing with plugins and if you don't enter a title it uses WordPress built in title function
- Branding - add your own logo in 2 sizes
- Google analytics and footer links built in
- Sign up box - sign up section that auto detects your site format
- 4 colour variations and built in colour pickers to allow you to create your own colour scheme
- We listened to you about comments in code and throughout any custom code we've added on top of WordPress and BuddyPress we've made sure we comment any id and start or end of major scripting / components
- W3 validation - out of box validates for all those interested in optimization - we've also done a ton of other small but significant optimizations to the structure we're using for themes
- Documentation - We listen to you and that was one area you wanted us to improve on so hope we have. You simply have to check out our new PDF manual format that comes with 2 maps for customization and theme options with number keys! We also will have a video demo and tutorial coming in the next few weeks for this theme.
- Tweaked theme options section - we've looked at the clarity of our theme options area and tried to improve on that. We are always looking to improve things and your feedback has resulted in many of the changed throughout this theme not just in theme options.
- Multiple sidebars - we've added a sidebar for all occasions and a footer widget area also - want a sidebar for 404, single, archive, BuddyPress, search, blog, page - no problem :)
- All our usual features like a blog/news template, wp3 navigation, featured images, parent and child themes, theme options and mo / po files.
- ... tons more we encourage all to just try this theme we think you'll enjoy it :)
4842 pointsLike some sort of WPMU DEV GodMindblowingly helpful memberLifetime member
Theme Designer
—
21st September 2010 (1 year ago)
#
@swabandhab: If you look in the manual under docs/ we've provided a map of what each element that can be customized relates to. As you can see there you'd have to select default.css and go to header background.
The navigation uses the WordPress 3 navigation that can be found under appearance > menu. You can see a tutorial on that here:
4842 pointsLike some sort of WPMU DEV GodMindblowingly helpful memberLifetime member
Theme Designer
—
21st September 2010 (1 year ago)
#
@Johan: Just adjust the slide one height until it all fits nicely - that's right on the first tab as soon as it uploads - you can choose how you want spacing. If you could start new topics for issues that would rock as I want to make sure things keep to the release in this one. Hope that is ok.
4842 pointsLike some sort of WPMU DEV GodMindblowingly helpful memberLifetime member
Theme Designer
—
22nd September 2010 (1 year ago)
#
@Johan: It was a release issue before not sure what you mean it's worked fine I've just done a few tweaks. The 'issues' you were reporting were due to configuration not the theme having bugs as already shown to you.
Anyway lets move on... As said before, no the slide show speed won't be set unless you modify the code. It's the same speed as Product and we've already stated for now we won't be adding that function to change yet. MasonJames I seem to recall in another post told you how to change it also ... least thought that was the case? Does that mean we never will have it change.. no.. but it does mean currently no.
Some of our themes have slide show speed changes.. some don't this is one that currently doesn't but we've told you how to do that if not just let me know. If you want assistance on the theme please make sure you start new threads this is a release post as I'm sure you understand should be kept for that.
It's a no brainer. I switched to Studio after 5 seconds.
In my case, it lets me turn off the slider, etc, and leaves me with a terrific, clean theme. The Google fonts are a welcome addition. The significant control in setting up the theme is what I have been looking for.
Thanks for your interest. Those interested may visit edberry.com
I have had less than 24 hours with the Studio theme and I have much more material to add, so it is a little empty right now but that will change by next week. Most of the structure is there.
Thanks to the new menu structure, I added a Blogs menu. I could not do this with the old menus that required pages and had no links.
If you are going to click on one Blog, I suggest Senator H H Schmitt. I have most of his news releases entered. He is my buddy and classmate from Caltech back in the old days and the guy who took the famous earth picture shown.
My present challenge is to enter news items on the home page, and there is lots of news pouring in. Seems my home page blogs aren't showing up. This is why I have an extra "News" in the menu now that will disappear when I get this working. But this learning hurdle does not take away from my enthusiasm for this Studio Theme. It is really terrific.
Soon I will change all the widget locations. They are where they are because I just threw them into sidebars to see were they popped up. Now I will change them. I notice my font selection shows up in Firefox but gets ignored by IE. No big deal. No one should use IE anyway.
To update, I have now learned how the home page and all the sidebars work, and am on my way to completing my site with the Studio theme. Studio has all the flexibility I need and wanted. I have found no problems with Studio. It works perfectly, even beyond my hopes and expectations.
4842 pointsLike some sort of WPMU DEV GodMindblowingly helpful memberLifetime member
Theme Designer
—
25th September 2010 (1 year ago)
#
@exberry: That's great always good to hear we've created a theme that works well for users. Font selection should work fine in IE it all depends what font you selected and it's support really also what version of IE. I'll have a look at IE on next update to make sure it's playing nicely, this is what Google says about their fonts:
What browsers are supported?
The Google Font API is compatible with the following browsers:
* Google Chrome: version 4.249.4+
* Mozilla Firefox: version: 3.5+
* Apple Safari: version 3.1+
* Opera: version 10.5+
* Microsoft Internet Explorer: version 6+
So, same should work with ours and our Google fonts. What font were you selecting and had you got the latest version loaded of Studio?
Tammie, I had tried the Josefin font and it did not show up with IE. But now I am back to the original Arial sans-serif font anyway.
I have about 6 people testing my site using whatever computer and operating system they have. One reported a menu problem, which is a WP problem and not a theme problem. This woman said when she hovered over a menu with a drop-down list, and moved her mouse down the list, the drop-down list vanished when her mouse got to about the third item. She was using an old laptop with XP and an IE browser. So I added the Blogs List widget for any that have this problem.
4842 pointsLike some sort of WPMU DEV GodMindblowingly helpful memberLifetime member
Theme Designer
—
25th September 2010 (1 year ago)
#
@Exberry: Hmm I'll look at the fonts should be ok though in IE 7 /8 (we don't test in ie 6 but google says it does support it) - the font function is very simple so should be easy to see if can get working or not. That aside the menus should be set but it depends on what IE as I said we don't cover IE 6 and it could be that. I've not had an issue myself with IE 7 and 8 with quite extensive menu testing. Depends on 'what' your contents is and application perhaps but should be groovy that menu function with WordPress is usually robust.
All that aside glad it's working out. Personally I think those 'fancy fonts' work well for headers but you can't beat a good simple serif like Arial for body content - that's my own preference of Helvetica.
Hi Tammie,
Thanks for the great theme! I would like to change the footer (very bottom footer) color - any easy way to do that? Thanks in advance,
cmccb
4842 pointsLike some sort of WPMU DEV GodMindblowingly helpful memberLifetime member
Theme Designer
—
25th September 2010 (1 year ago)
#
@cmccb: Hi there and glad you like the theme. Ideally we'd like people to start new posts for new topics (this is an introducing theme post) - it helps for support. That aside though it all depends on 'what' you mean by footer. There is a id called #footer but there is no colour per say for that it's just the background. Whatever you do unless it is in theme options (select default.css under preset and add colour pickers to set), you want to go the child and parent theme route.
We can recommend you use firebug to find the right classes:
Responses (22)
Member — 20th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
Hi Tammie,
The theme looks awesome but I can't get to the link to download which is set as http://premium.wpmudev.org/project/studio
Thanks
Miles
Theme Designer — 20th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@milesct: Sorry my apologies we changed the links up and I had updated all our links apart from this one. You can find it on our front page or here:
http://premium.wpmudev.org/project/studio-theme
I've corrected the thread link too now. Hope you enjoy the theme and look forward to seeing the site you come up with using it.
Member — 21st September 2010 (1 year ago) #
Hi Tammie,
The theme is awesome . Thanks a lot for this nice theme ....
I have two qoestions :
1. How to change the colour of the header (black area (not the navigation menu)} where the logo recides if I upload it ?
in the attachment I have marked the area ... with red
2. How to add a new page to the navigation ? it doesn't add up automatically ?
Theme Designer — 21st September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@swabandhab: If you look in the manual under docs/ we've provided a map of what each element that can be customized relates to. As you can see there you'd have to select default.css and go to header background.
The navigation uses the WordPress 3 navigation that can be found under appearance > menu. You can see a tutorial on that here:
http://buddydress.com/2010/06/discovering-wordpress-3-0-menus-tutorial/
Member — 21st September 2010 (1 year ago) #
Thanks a lot Tammie .
Member — 21st September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@swabandhab one of the issues you may have is that you don't select which menu you would like to use.
1) Create a menu
2) Save the menu
3) You now need to select which menu you would like to use.... see bottom left of the menu page.
Member — 21st September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@Tammie
Can you assist please. I have added an image 300x960 and have a larger space below the image than you have on the demo.
Theme Designer — 21st September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@Johan: Just adjust the slide one height until it all fits nicely - that's right on the first tab as soon as it uploads - you can choose how you want spacing. If you could start new topics for issues that would rock as I want to make sure things keep to the release in this one. Hope that is ok.
Member — 21st September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@Tammie will do. Thanks.
Theme Designer — 21st September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@Johan: No problem hope you enjoy the theme.
Theme Designer — 22nd September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@all: just updated this to 1.0.1 with a few minor fixes.
Member — 22nd September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@Tammie I hope this is a release issue ;-)
It would be really nice if the slide speed can be set slower as it's not easy to read a line of text.
Theme Designer — 22nd September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@Johan: It was a release issue before not sure what you mean it's worked fine I've just done a few tweaks. The 'issues' you were reporting were due to configuration not the theme having bugs as already shown to you.
Anyway lets move on... As said before, no the slide show speed won't be set unless you modify the code. It's the same speed as Product and we've already stated for now we won't be adding that function to change yet. MasonJames I seem to recall in another post told you how to change it also ... least thought that was the case? Does that mean we never will have it change.. no.. but it does mean currently no.
Some of our themes have slide show speed changes.. some don't this is one that currently doesn't but we've told you how to do that if not just let me know. If you want assistance on the theme please make sure you start new threads this is a release post as I'm sure you understand should be kept for that.
Member — 24th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
It's a no brainer. I switched to Studio after 5 seconds.
In my case, it lets me turn off the slider, etc, and leaves me with a terrific, clean theme. The Google fonts are a welcome addition. The significant control in setting up the theme is what I have been looking for.
Great work, Tammie!
Thanks,
Ed
Theme Designer — 24th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@exberry: Cool great your enjoying it :) You'll have to give us a link so we can see what you've done with it.
Member — 24th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
Thanks for your interest. Those interested may visit edberry.com
I have had less than 24 hours with the Studio theme and I have much more material to add, so it is a little empty right now but that will change by next week. Most of the structure is there.
Thanks to the new menu structure, I added a Blogs menu. I could not do this with the old menus that required pages and had no links.
If you are going to click on one Blog, I suggest Senator H H Schmitt. I have most of his news releases entered. He is my buddy and classmate from Caltech back in the old days and the guy who took the famous earth picture shown.
My present challenge is to enter news items on the home page, and there is lots of news pouring in. Seems my home page blogs aren't showing up. This is why I have an extra "News" in the menu now that will disappear when I get this working. But this learning hurdle does not take away from my enthusiasm for this Studio Theme. It is really terrific.
Soon I will change all the widget locations. They are where they are because I just threw them into sidebars to see were they popped up. Now I will change them. I notice my font selection shows up in Firefox but gets ignored by IE. No big deal. No one should use IE anyway.
Thanks,
Ed
Member — 24th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
To update, I have now learned how the home page and all the sidebars work, and am on my way to completing my site with the Studio theme. Studio has all the flexibility I need and wanted. I have found no problems with Studio. It works perfectly, even beyond my hopes and expectations.
Ed
Theme Designer — 25th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@exberry: That's great always good to hear we've created a theme that works well for users. Font selection should work fine in IE it all depends what font you selected and it's support really also what version of IE. I'll have a look at IE on next update to make sure it's playing nicely, this is what Google says about their fonts:
So, same should work with ours and our Google fonts. What font were you selecting and had you got the latest version loaded of Studio?
Member — 25th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
Tammie, I had tried the Josefin font and it did not show up with IE. But now I am back to the original Arial sans-serif font anyway.
I have about 6 people testing my site using whatever computer and operating system they have. One reported a menu problem, which is a WP problem and not a theme problem. This woman said when she hovered over a menu with a drop-down list, and moved her mouse down the list, the drop-down list vanished when her mouse got to about the third item. She was using an old laptop with XP and an IE browser. So I added the Blogs List widget for any that have this problem.
I am using Studio version 1.01.
Ed
Theme Designer — 25th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@Exberry: Hmm I'll look at the fonts should be ok though in IE 7 /8 (we don't test in ie 6 but google says it does support it) - the font function is very simple so should be easy to see if can get working or not. That aside the menus should be set but it depends on what IE as I said we don't cover IE 6 and it could be that. I've not had an issue myself with IE 7 and 8 with quite extensive menu testing. Depends on 'what' your contents is and application perhaps but should be groovy that menu function with WordPress is usually robust.
All that aside glad it's working out. Personally I think those 'fancy fonts' work well for headers but you can't beat a good simple serif like Arial for body content - that's my own preference of Helvetica.
Member — 25th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
Hi Tammie,
Thanks for the great theme! I would like to change the footer (very bottom footer) color - any easy way to do that? Thanks in advance,
cmccb
Theme Designer — 25th September 2010 (1 year ago) #
@cmccb: Hi there and glad you like the theme. Ideally we'd like people to start new posts for new topics (this is an introducing theme post) - it helps for support. That aside though it all depends on 'what' you mean by footer. There is a id called #footer but there is no colour per say for that it's just the background. Whatever you do unless it is in theme options (select default.css under preset and add colour pickers to set), you want to go the child and parent theme route.
We can recommend you use firebug to find the right classes:
http://buddydress.com/2010/06/firebug-installing-discovering-and-using-the-tutorial/
The manual should tell you everything that is customiseable that would be a good starting point for you if you want to use theme options.
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