This module was created at the begging request of Michelle. She’s a big fan of WordPress and loves the ability to edit the templates from the admin screen. She thought that this would be a good addition for Phorum. Since a lot of the other popular forum systems have this ability, I figured she was right.
The hardest part of the project was trying to get the hang of all the particularities of creating an actual module. With that down, I don’t think I’d have a big problem doing more in the future. Much of the actual editing coding I took from my work on Family Webcomics. That whole site was built around the ability of users to create and edit their comic/personal profiles.
You can download the module from the Phorum website HERE.
Below is a screenshot of the module. Click for a larger version.
When we initially did our template design for Phorum, we created 17 templates. We wanted to do a few more, featuring some more “simplistic” designs (essentially non-graphic designs). Our plan was to do maybe 6 to 12 more. When all was said and done, we had created over 20 more templates! As I mentioned before, we wanted to bring Phorum up to speed with many of the other systems out there that have a wide variety of templates. However, another reason was simply because there are so many good designs I have wanted to port to another system–as well as designs just shooting around my head–that I simply found myself adding “just one more” to the tune of a dozen or so.
There are at least a dozen more graphics I would have loved to make into a template, but I had to stop myself. There just isn’t enough time right now and we need to move back to some of our other projects. Someday, though…
A good deal of our templates were done utilizing the vertical striping layout. I wanted to make sure to do a number with the horizontal/alternate striping. Purple is a popular color and deep purple can be so dramatic and classy. Thus my desire to do a theme in that color scheme. Grape seemed like the best name for this theme–even though my family prefers red grapes.
Click thumbnail for screenshot. Click HERE for live preview. Click here to download from the Phorum website.
Since there are a couple of different layouts for the Phorum templates, we have been trying to vary our themes to utilize each of them. I already did a coffee theme using the template featuring vertical striping. I wanted to do a coffee theme using the more traditional emerald-inspired layout (sans the top bar) featuring horizontal striping. Jim particularly liked the way this color scheme worked out.
One of the things about being a good designer is working outside your own comfort zone. I happen to love soft muted colors, leaning towards pastels. However, I know there are people who love strong unsaturated colors that jump out at you. I wanted to do a rainbow theme and decided to use a bold colors. The white accent helps soften it a bit. Not for everyone, but certainly striking, and I know there will be quite a few people who will love this design.
All of that said, when I look at this theme, it reminds me of a pack of “Fruit Stripe” gum, which my kids love.
Jim and I have always loved themes that emulate old-time computer displays. Remember the days of chatting on BBS and doing everything on DOS, we have an affection for that “canned” black and green screen. This theme invokes those days, but has a slight bit of contrast to keep it interesting.
Another holiday themed template. I thought to do a Christmas theme, but wanted something a little more generalized for the winter holidays. I was thinking about what other holiday themes I could do in the future. Easter? Thanksgiving? Not sure. We’re not planning on more Phorum templates anytime soon, but I am keeping this is mind for the future.
This template is a prime example of how a particular graphic can inspire you. I was working on the dark teal template when I found this graphic. Using the same base, I made a light-teal template with the header graphic as a focal point. After doing all of the templates, this one has become by far my favorite. I hope I get a chance to use it someday, with Phorum or another system.
When searching for inspiration for templates, I look all over the place, particularly at MySpace themes. I saw quite a few which featured a teal-purple color scheme. A bit wild, but still visually pleasing, the scheme appealed to me. This theme always makes me think of The Joker from Batman (my favorite villian of all time).
Another “color-theme” template for Phorum. No real explanation. Was playing around with beige and neutral tones. When I saw the final product, I snickered at the thought of a skin-colored skin. Thus, the name.
