Starting in WordPress 5.8, a new tool — “theme.json” — is available to use in your theme. Maybe you’re hearing about it for the first time, or maybe you’re testing and developing themes with it already. Either way, I’m glad you’re here because it’s an exciting time for WordPress themes.
This post provides a quick introduction to this new framework, and describes what’s possible by sharing a few practical tips and examples.
What’s theme.json?
Technically, theme.json is just a file that lives at the top-level of a theme’s directory.
Conceptually, it’s a major shift in how themes can be developed. Theme authors now have a centralized mechanism to tailor the WordPress experience for site authors and visitors. Theme.json provides theme authors fine-grained control over global styles, block styles, and the block editor settings.
By providing these settings and controls in a single file, theme.json provides a powerful framework that brings together many aspects of theme design and development. And as the block editor matures and adds more features, theme.json will shine as the backbone for themes and the editor to work together.
Why Use it?
It’s the future! But if you’re like me, you might need something more tangible to be convinced. Here are a few reasons why you might use theme.json today:
Control editor settings like color, typography, spacing, and layout, and consolidate where these settings are managed.
Guarantee that styles apply correctly to blocks and elements across your site.
Reduce the amount of boilerplate CSS a theme used to provide. Theme.json won’t replace your stylesheet completely — there will be instances where CSS is needed to give your theme that extra flare (transitions, animations, etc.). But it can greatly reduce the base CSS needed from the theme.
I hope this gives you a sense of what’s possible and where themes are going. The above examples just scratch the surface of what kinds of theme design configurations are possible, and I’m very excited to see what theme authors create.
“Coming soon” pages are a great way to tide over your visitors until you finish your new website. They can be used as a teaser for your future website, or places to simply put your information where people can get to it while you are under digital construction. We are going to look at a collection of how websites are successfully using “coming soon” pages.
1. SquidChef
SquidChef has a cute under-the-sea theme and an illustrated squid character to go with their name “SquidChef”. Having a character illustration like this almost ensures that the site is going to have a friendly feel. (Check out some more illustrated character designs). I also like the idea of putting all the information into the talk bubble.
2. Accentuate
I like the color scheme of this “coming soon site”. It’s a simple theme that uses pink to highlight important areas. The colors go well with the simple layout of the website and the image of the chairs makes the website more interesting than just having text.
Having an illustrated look to a website usually gives it more of a fun and laidback feel. It has a bright and welcoming color palette, and I like how the headings in the three sections in the footer are different colors. It makes the color flow throughout.
4. Rumble Labs
Usually when you say “hello” right off the bat, it gives off a friendly vibe, and despite the dark background, this page gives that endearing feeling. The bright highlight colors help emphasize that point, as well as the arrow and dotted lines.
I like the hovering logo – it creates a sort of 3D look, which gives the page a little more dimension. Also, what makes this site interesting is that when you hover over the logo and Twitter icon with your mouse, it displays more information. (Learn how to create 3D text via this tutorial).
The brightly colored quirky illustration gives a good sense of what the style of work could be, or at the very least, gives a fun laidback feel. The sign that says, “summer” integrated into the illustration gives a hint as to when the website will launch.
7. Berengere Monin
This website has a very nice clean and simple look. I like the Asian-inspired style, with the tree/plant on the right and the black, white and red color scheme. It gives the “coming soon” page a nice sense of simplicity.
8. Birdboxx
This is a successful illustrated “coming soon” web page. This site pours out a peaceful and calming character with the green colors and the white dove.
I like the sketchy style of this soon-to-launch page. Not only is it a fun layout, but it is also useful, with the “be updated” mixed into the design. This “coming soon” page gives you ways of keeping in touch, by including Twitter and email options into the composition.
The color palette is what really draws me to this website. The colors have a slightly retro feel (learn how to create a retro color scheme), but it still gives off a bright, clean, vibrant feel. In addition, I like how the last post from their blog is displayed on the left.
I like the paint splatter effect, which they use to draw attention to the important parts of the layout. They also use some bright colors to emphasize certain areas like the headline, and the green play button which is used for the RSS email feed.
12. Mogulista
This website gives off a glamorous countenance, and that is probably because the business is geared towards women, who typically find these sorts of themes appealing. What really struck me about this “coming soon” site was the navigation. They use a nice animation that keeps you on the same page but rolls in and out the new text below the logo.
13. Dialed Tone
I like the usage of the 3D dial, as well as the shadows on the “coming soon” box and the sign up button, which give the site a lot more dimension.
14. Evert Slagter
The icons are a nice touch considering they work with mobile user experience. I also like the simplicity and the subtle light glow in the background that gives it a little more depth than just having a black background.
15. Chuck Barrett
I think when I look at this, I immediately get an idea of what kind of style of fashion will be on the future website with the black and white photo. I also like the idea of having the icons in grayscale, which goes with the photo, and how, when you hover over them, they change to colored.
16. Jon Ward
At first glance, this is your run-of-the-mill name, logo, and title “coming soon” page, but if you stay on it for a second or two, you’ll notice that where the job title is, is actually an animation that rotates the title, email and phone number. It’s a great way to present that little bit more information, and at the same time keep the page as simple, but engaging, as possible.
The logo has a techno look to it, which was why it drew me to the site in the first place. It turns out that it’s for a poetry publication. Regardless, the logo, which gives this “coming soon” page a nice dose of color, is spectacular.
18. Johnny Walker Plumbing
I love how simple the look is, but you can still get the impression that he is a plumber at someone’s house fixing their flooded toilet or sink. It is simple but effective.
19. DesignSvn
I always love good Photoshop lighting work, and this website has it working really well with the web 2.0ish Twitter and subscribe icons.
20. Upstate Design Collective
Other than the 3D effects, I really like how the bright fresh colors make the website stand out.
21. Handsome and Gorgeous Clothing
I think that it is important to showcase your merchandise, even if your website isn’t finished yet. I also like the use of the jagged edge, giving it a layered fabric feel, which is appropriate for what they are selling.
22. The Republic
I like the white design with the subtle cityscape at the bottom; it gives it an interesting look. I also like how they use gray colors instead of the typical black on white, which gives it a less harsh look and helps to make the logo mark stand out more.
23. Gimmr
Not only does this “coming soon” page have a color scheme that I really like, but it also has a unique feature. You can upload a photo of yourself and add glasses to your portrait so you can look like the character/mascot to the left (which you can then use as your avatar).
This is another website that uses some nice lighting effects, and the purple colors give it a night feel that goes perfectly with their name (myNightlife).
It seems like they are using their “coming soon” page as more of a teaser, not really saying what they’re all about. All I can gather is that it has something to do with movies (probably). If you want to find out, you can sign up for email updates.
The ability to work from virtually anywhere is one of the true benefits of being a web designer. It affords us the freedom to get out of the office and still remain productive. And it might even be a way to boost creativity.
Some freelancers take advantage by hitting the road and setting up shop wherever they happen to be. Location doesn’t matter so much as making time to get things done. If it suits your personality, it may just be a new way of life.
But even if you aren’t ready to commit to a fully nomadic existence, working on the go is still valuable. It can come in handy when a work situation arises during vacation or if you have to unexpectedly leave the office for a period of time.
That’s all well and good. But it’s not just a matter of getting up and going. It’s important to prepare for the inevitable bumps that come along with working on the road. Below, we’ll share some ideas for making the most out of the experience.
Keep Your Favorite Apps (or Alternatives) Within Reach
Access to a laptop computer or tablet device is a must-have. And you’ll want to load it up with your frequently used apps.
Besides a web browser, you’ll want to think about the other key software that helps you get things done:
That sounds simple enough. But apps can be a bit tricky, particularly if you use commercial software. Some licensing may only allow you to legally install an app on a single device. Or it may only be available on select operating systems. If your laptop or tablet doesn’t fit within these parameters, you may be out of luck.
However, web design is a field where there are a number of different software options. If you don’t have a license to use your favorite code editor on a second device, you can always find an open-source alternative.
The same goes for photo editors. For times when Photoshop isn’t available, you might be able to get by with a tool such as GIMP or even a browser-based solution.
Don’t want to pay for that expensive office suite? The free Libre Office package can open all of your text documents and spreadsheets without the extra cost.
The goal is to have a collection of apps that will mimic what you have in your office. This will enable you to take care of whatever work comes your way while on the road.
Bring along Your Logins
The web is nothing if not complicated. The average person likely has dozens of logins to remember. And web designers? Well, that number can easily hit triple digits.
Accounts for third-party service providers, web hosting, and content management systems (CMS) can pile up rather quickly. It’s more than most humans can possibly remember.
This is what makes password management apps so attractive. A good one will securely store your various logins and allow you to take them with you across devices. For example, that means the same usernames and passwords you have saved on your desktop device can also be accessed via your phone or laptop.
It’s an absolute necessity if you plan on doing much work outside of your office. Being caught without a particular login can become troublesome if a change has to be made immediately.
There are plenty of apps that provide this functionality. But if you’re looking for something super-simple, both Chrome and Firefox have them built right in. They’re connected to your account with either Google or Mozilla, respectively. Thus, signing in on a new device will give you access to all of your saved logins.
You’ll also want to take note of anything you need to satisfy any two-factor authentication (2FA) requirements. Quite often, this is your phone. But it could also be an email account or something a bit more obscure.
Have Multiple Connectivity Options
It seems like traveling and spotty WiFi service goes hand-in-hand. For instance, you might book a hotel that promises free connectivity. Only when you get there, you find that broadband speeds cost extra – if they’re available at all.
Some places are even worse. This writer once spent a weekend at a campground where a sloth-like connection hung like a dark cloud over everything. Streaming wasn’t possible, and even email took minutes to load. It’s great if you want to go off-the-grid. Otherwise, it’s a disaster.
When possible, it pays to have more than one option for internet access. That could be as simple as gathering a list of local coffee shops that have WiFi.
You might also opt for a mobile phone plan that includes hotspot functionality. It may not be perfect, but it could become a lifeline to productivity.
Stay Secure
Security needs don’t decrease just because you’re on the road. They’re just as important as ever. Therefore, you’ll want to take steps to keep both your devices and data safe.
First, keep your devices in a secure location (like your backpack or a locked hotel room) and password-protect them. The last thing you want is for a curious stranger to see your laptop lying around and have instant access to your system. Even a small barrier like a password can be the difference in whether your data is exposed.
Security software is also vital. Both antivirus and anti-malware apps can help protect your device from the risks of an open WiFi network. Speaking of which, it may be worthwhile to invest in a virtual private network (VPN) service to wall off your connection from potential dangers.
Lastly, be careful about where you decide to work. If you’re dealing with sensitive information, find a private space away from prying eyes. Most people are good, but do you really want to take a chance?
Web Design, Wherever You Are
Being away from the office doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice productivity. In fact, web design and development can be done from anywhere you have internet access.
To do it right takes preparation. You’ll need a high-performing device loaded with the apps you’ll need to perform a variety of tasks. A way to access and manage all of those pesky logins is also a necessity.
Beyond that, plan for both connectivity and security. Ensuring that you’ll have a number of ways to get online is vital to getting things done. That being said, it’s also important to protect your data from falling into the wrong hands.
Put it all together and you have the freedom to work in a way that suits you. Establish a solid routine, and your clients may not even know the difference.
After restarting my RSS subscriptions, I’ve been on a constant lookout for good RSS readers. There’s an overwhelming amount of them out there, an aftermath of a race to fill the void Google Reader left when it was shut down.
Here’s a review of the 10 best free online RSS readers I’ve come across so far.
1. Digg Reader
Digg Reader is a free online RSS reader that has a clean user interface and all the features you need for reading and managing your RSS feeds. This RSS reader integrates with other web services such as Instapaper so that you can bookmark posts that you want to read later.
Feedreader Online is a simple and free RSS reader. It has two types of viewing modes, a feature called Starred Items for saving RSS feed items, and a filter for displaying unread items. In my opinion, these are truly the only features you need for a good RSS reading experience.
3. CommaFeed
CommaFeed is a free RSS reader inspired by the now-defunct Google Reader. This free RSS reader is open source; you can download its code and host it on your own server.
4. FlowReader
FlowReader is what you’d get if you combined RSS and social media. It’s a great option for people who want to see all their content sources in one place.
Feedly is an online RSS reader with a clutter-free user interface. It has an Add Content feature which aids you in quickly finding new content sources to subscribe to. Though Feedly is free to use as-is, it does have a paid subscription plan that costs $5 a month. The paid plan unlocks some more features such as integration with web apps like Evernote and Dropbox.
Inoreader is a feature-rich RSS reader that has a ton of configurable options. For example, it lets you craft custom rules that will perform actions such as “Send to email” or “Send to Instapaper”. It has four view modes and four UI themes. Beyond Inoreader’s free subscription plan, it has paid subscription plans that start at $2.99 a month.
Feedspot is a free RSS reader with an integrated search feature that allows you to search your content sources. It can recommend sites to subscribe to based on your interests. Feedspot has a paid subscription plan that costs $24 a year, and it gives you an advertisement-free experience.
The Old Reader has all the features you expect from a good RSS reader: Keyboard shortcuts, various viewing modes, all that good stuff. One thing that makes it different is it’s also a social network: You can connect with other users and share content with each other. The Old Reader is free for up to 100 subscriptions, then you’ll have to upgrade to a premium subscription plan that costs $5 a month.
9. G2Reader
G2Reader is another RSS reader that has the essentials. G2Reader is free only up to 100 subscriptions. It will cost $29 a year beyond that.
Good News aggregates all your content sources in one place. This means you can read your RSS, favorite sites, and social media in a centralized way. It has a total of 12 alternative viewing modes for your convenience.
Summary
The RSS reader I’m currently using is Digg Reader. Digg Reader has a clean user interface, is lightning fast, and works well on laptops/desktops (which is where I read my RSS). But I constantly review my options to make sure it’s still the right tool for the job. Feedreader Online is another option that matches my needs.
Some people need a more comprehensive web-content-reading experience. My two suggestions for all-in-one content readers are FlowReader and Good News.
If you’re concerned about privacy, you can host your own RSS reader using the free and open-source CommaFeed.
ev 1.1.4
Fixed tests with PHP versions 8.1.0beta (both NTS and ZTS) and 5 ZTS. Thanks to Remi Collet.
ev 1.1.3
Fixed #43: watcher was not stopped on an uncaught exception in the callback.
igbinary 3.2.4
* Forbid serializing classes that deny serialization/unserialization (anonymous classes, CURLFile, etc.) even when subclasses implement '__serialize' and '__unserialize'
ast 1.0.14
- Support php 8.1 readonly properties with the flag 'MODIFIER_READONLY'
- Support php 8.1 first-class callable syntax, add the node kind 'AST_CALLABLE_CONVERT'
- Change the current AST version from 80 to the new version 90. AST version 85 is no longer experimental.
imagick 3.5.1
- Better detection of appropriate OpenMP library to use, i.e. GCC or Clang.
datadog_trace 0.62.0
### Added
- ZAI env #1250
- Add ZAI component for reading headers #1256
- (PHP 8) Add proper exception and error reporting #1272
- (PHP 8) Register SpanData->exception property and store exception info there instead of internally #1281
### Changed
- Refactor internal span objects to be allocated together with their internal data #1254
- Enforce metrics to be floats in internal serializer #1258
- Allow for global debug mode, add zai testing to Makefile and more minor testing improvements #1265
- Move DDTraceFormat to src/api #1271
- Moving spans from userland to extension #1262
### Fixed
- Fix msgpack serialization of empty arrays #1259
- Set SECBIT_NO_SETUID_FIXUP to prevent crashes after setuid() calls #1276
- Apply original curl headers when curl_setopt_array() fails #1279
- Fix owner of files included in the distributed .tar.gz archive #1280
- Fix tests: Pin Symfony 4 tests to laminas/laminas-code < 4.4 #1266
imagick 3.5.1RC1
- Better detection of appropriate OpenMP library to use, i.e. GCC or Clang.
Perhaps it sounds ironic, but one of the hardest parts of a web designer’s job occurs before the project actually begins. Figuring out website project requirements can stump even experienced designers.
Why is that? Quite often, it comes down to communication. Clients can understandably struggle with articulating their needs. Terminology is one part of the equation. But so is a grasp of how websites work in the first place. That’s why they hire a web designer.
Therefore, it’s usually up to designers to sort out the details – which can also be problematic. When two parties aren’t speaking the same language, it’s only natural that something gets lost in translation. And, even when you do have a solid idea of what a project needs, there are still items that seem to pop up unexpectedly.
None of this is an exact science. But some strategies can help you paint a clearer picture of what a website project will require. Below are a few ideas to point you in the right direction.
Look Beneath the Surface of Feature Requests
When discussing project requirements with a client, it’s rare that a feature is self-explanatory. These things always tend to be more than meets the eye.
For example, the weather forecast may tell you that it’s going to rain. But there’s a difference between a passing shower and a torrential downpour—the details matter.
Likewise, the mention of a shopping cart might sound simple enough. But eCommerce is an incredibly broad subject. What that term conjures up in your client’s mind might be decidedly different than your vision.
It’s not sufficient to simply know that a shopping cart is needed. There also needs to be a clear definition of what that cart is expected to do. As such, you’ll want to gather as much information as you can – with details like:
What products and services are being sold?
How will payments be processed?
Is shipping needed? If so, how will that work?
Will taxes/VAT need to be collected?
What features will be implemented to provide customers with the best possible shopping experience?
The above questions are just scratching the surface. But the idea is to continue to unravel the various layers of the project. A few simple queries will get that process started.
Use Your Experience to Help Guide Clients
As we mentioned, communication is a crucial factor in understanding a website project’s needs. And you have a secret weapon at your disposal that can help: your past experiences. They’re something you can use to improve both dialogue and direction.
One benefit of experience is the ability to recognize red flags. These are items that a client mentions that are either misguided or otherwise vague.
Consider a client who asks for a website – but only mentions desktop devices. Experience tells you that a modern website needs to work on all screen sizes. Thus, this is something to bring up in conversation. It may be that your client forgot to talk about mobile design or didn’t realize it was important.
This is another example of how a client’s stated requirements can often miss key components. Thankfully, you can lean on your experience to help fill those gaps.
Find Relevant Examples
Sometimes it’s easier to show someone a website feature than it is to explain it verbally. This is especially the case when it comes to more in-depth items like shopping carts or navigational UIs. But it could be useful for virtually everything else as well.
It also fits in with existing strategies. At the beginning of the design process, some designers ask clients for a list of websites they like. This provides us with solid ideas for various layout and design aspects. And it can also be great for determining website requirements as a whole.
For clients, features they’ve utilized on other websites often informs their own expectations. They can point to specific interactions or functionality that appeal to them. And, just as important, they can tell us what they don’t want. Perhaps an example website is only a portion of what they’re looking for. But it offers a starting point from which to build.
This also works both ways. Even if your client hasn’t provided you with any examples, you can introduce your own. Either way, it adds clarity with regards to project needs.
Getting the Whole Picture of Your Project
A website’s project requirements touch every area of the design and build processes. First and foremost, they determine the initial cost estimate. This ensures that you’re being paid fairly for the work that is being done.
Second, they also help to avoid the always-dreadful scope creep. By having a detailed list of requirements in hand, you’re less likely to run into items that were previously overlooked.
Make no mistake: it’s near-impossible to cover every potential need. Plus, there’s always a chance that requirements will evolve along with the project itself.
But improving communication and paying attention to detail can make a huge difference. By taking the steps above, you’ll gain a more complete picture of your projects. And that’s something that will benefit everyone.
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