Web Design Workshop

Web Design Workshop by Yorgo Nestoridis

The Web design Workshop delivers an introduction to Web Design with a practical application to a WordPress based Theme from Semiomantics. The training units can however be applied to any other (WordPress based) site.

Web Design Workshop 1

Prerequisites

To start with we need to load a new WordPress Site to our Host. (Recommended ChiHosters at $35 per year; if you also need a domain, add $12.95 per year)

Self  Hosted WordPress allows you to intervene at all levels of the site script and to apply web design to taste.

If you have a semiomantics script to start with, use the XO, Ycademy, NewsCast or YORGOO Booster Theme, by loading the Theme Folder into your new wp-content/theme folder.

A whole Workshop Materials pack, including Semiomantics XO Theme is available, please contact me.

You will need a text and code editor, such as PSPad (free download) and image editing software, such as Photoshop, Fireworks, Paint Shop Pro or GIMP (free Download). An HTML editor, such a Dreamweaver or Frontpage can help. The better your skills with the code and image editors, the better your result will be.

Step 1

Create a sub-domain on your host and call it webdesign.

Create a MySQL database.

Manually load the latest WordPress Script (download fromWordPress).

Edit the wp-config-sample file and rename it wp-config. (set permissions to 666 – change later to 644)

Create a .htaccess file in your sub-domain root folder. (set permissions to 666 – change later to 644)

Set wp-content permissions to 777

Run install from http://yoursubdomain.com/wp-admin/install.php

Step 2

Configure WordPress step by step:

Edit general Settings: Punch in a Name and a tagline (Example: name of your sub-domain and in the tag-line a related key-phrase)

Edit Posts: delete the hello World Post

Edit links: delete all preloaded links

Edit each tab under settings, namely:

Permalinks: select custom and enter /%category%/%postname%/

Writing: enter at the bottom the ping list as per HERE

The other tabs should be self-explanatory.

Step 3

Under Plugins select Add New and install the following Plug-ins:

All in one SEO

NextGenGallery

XML Sitemap

WP-SuperCache

Configure the plug-ins according to semiomantics recommendations.

Set Permissions:

.htaccess to 644

wp-config.php to 644

wp-content to 755

Done.

Step 4

Load your Semiomantics Theme from Appearance.

Add some widgets to make it look like a blog.

Under Post Add New: Add a first post, presenting your new site, it’s purpose and goal.

Add a few categories pertaining to the chapters of this workshop.

Under Post Tags add some tags pertaining to your categories.

Under Links: Add a few links to your other websites.

Step 5

Check out your site and make sure everything works to satisfaction.

Web Design Workshop 2

Our second trainings unit will deal with Web Design Basics. Whatever we retain from each of the subsequent units we will apply to this new web site.

Look forward to an exciting journey!

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

More about this Topic

• New Adobe CS5 Master Collection
• Transparent WordPress Theme Design
• Transparent WordPress Semiomantics XO
• Transparent WordPress Semiomantics XO
• Blockquote, Pullquote and Code