The slide presentation for a session at WordCamp Orange County, June 8, 2014. This presentation demonstrates tips to build a custom Wordpress theme that fits the client's needs exactly. And reveals how addressing the client's needs actually make one a better themer. NOTE: the slideshow is supplemental in nature.

1. Make WordPressMake WordPress FitFit
The Cinderella Shoe ApproachThe Cinderella Shoe Approach
to Custom Themingto Custom Theming

2. Does the shoeshoe fit?

3. Not the feedback you
were hoping for...

4. êProject QuestionnaireProject Questionnaire
êSite Structure & Info ArchitectureSite Structure & Info Architecture
Before You CodeBefore You Code

5. êUse a Basic Minimal ThemeUse a Basic Minimal Theme
êCustom Post Types are Your FriendCustom Post Types are Your Friend
While You CodeWhile You Code

6. êAdvanced Custom FieldsAdvanced Custom Fields
êPosts 2 PostsPosts 2 Posts
Developer PluginsDeveloper Plugins

7. êTheming according to your clients'Theming according to your clients'
needs helps you become a betterneeds helps you become a better
themer!themer!
Become a RockstarBecome a Rockstar

8. Learn everything
you can about
the Project!

9. Where are they ComingWhere are they Coming
From?From?
êThe Mission StatementThe Mission Statement

10. Where are they Going?Where are they Going?
êThe Target AudienceThe Target Audience

11. The DetailsThe Details
êUsed WordPress before?Used WordPress before?
êWho will add content?Who will add content?
êSpecial Features?Special Features?
êWeb ReconnaissanceWeb Reconnaissance

12. The Bigger PictureThe Bigger Picture

13. Plan it out &
organize in
advance.

14. IA & Site OrganizationIA & Site Organization
êMenu StructureMenu Structure
êCall to ActionsCall to Actions
êSidebar ContentSidebar Content

15. _Scores Theme:
Start with less
and add only
what you need.

16. A Minimal StartA Minimal Start
êMore EfficientMore Efficient
êBuild up to something UniqueBuild up to something Unique
êNo extra whistles and bellsNo extra whistles and bells

17. Custom Post Types:
the perfect fit!

18. Custom Post Type FunCustom Post Type Fun
êCreate unique page templatesCreate unique page templates
êNo Need to hack blog postsNo Need to hack blog posts

19. Developer Plugins:
Your magic helpers

20. Advanced Custom FiledsAdvanced Custom Fileds
êSaves timeSaves time
êLayout stays consistentLayout stays consistent

21. Custom Fields
in the Wild

22. PostsPosts 22 pOstspOsts
êPlanning comes in handyPlanning comes in handy
êInterconnect any contentInterconnect any content
êTake the site to enterprise levelTake the site to enterprise level

23. Posts 2 Posts in the Wild
One connection
can show up
many places.

24. Putting your
client's needs first
will give you
mad skillz!

25. Learn Sumptin'Learn Sumptin'
êShoving client into pre-existingShoving client into pre-existing
theme = no growththeme = no growth
êExpand your knowledge boundaryExpand your knowledge boundary
êYou may not keep up, but keepYou may not keep up, but keep
growing!growing!

26. Discover Sumptin'Discover Sumptin'
êLearn a little about your client's gigLearn a little about your client's gig
êYour client wants you to care aboutYour client wants you to care about
what they are doingwhat they are doing

27. No one is
a package!

28. RecapRecap
êGet as much info as possibleGet as much info as possible
êCreate your blueprint before you codeCreate your blueprint before you code
êStart minimalStart minimal
êMake friends with developer pluginsMake friends with developer plugins
êLearn sumptin', discover sumptin' new!Learn sumptin', discover sumptin' new!