Download my previous WordPress theme
For the WordPress users out there, my previous 3-column theme design is now freely available.
View a live demo and download here.
I hired Randa Clay to clean-up my site code, and the theme’s currently pending review for addition to the WordPress theme directory.
I’ve been powering my site with WordPress for so long now that it’s about time I gave a little something back to the community. Here’s hoping it’s of use to a few of you.
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22 appreciated comments on “Download my previous WordPress theme”
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Thanks for releasing this for us all to enjoy. Brilliant stuff David.
Awesome David, I’d love to see how people use the theme differently. Is there a way to know when someone download and use your theme?
Hi David, Thank you very much for releasing this. This is one of the minimal themes I love.
What a brilliant idea, to give away your old theme.
You’re very welcome, Duane. I’ve been thinking of releasing a previously-used theme for around a year now, but it wasn’t a priority. Hopefully some people get good use from it.
Tin, there’s a download-counter attached to the ZIP file link, but other than that, the only way that I know how to see it in use is by searching Google for “Theme designed by David Airey” — the credit link used in the footer.
Wow! What a Brilliant Idea David!
Thanks
Great. I’ve been meaning to do this for ages! On list of things to do in 2011! All the best, David!
This is a great idea David. I’ve always been an admirer of your theme as it was simple and effective. My tastes change over time, though, and now a more a fan of more complicated graphically-rich themes, but your newer theme still has the Airey-feel to it, and it suits your brand.
After using 3 columns for years, I’ve also just adjusted my own site to be 2 columns now, which gets rid of some clutter…
Nice one David! I’ve finally taken the plunge and started using WordPress for my site and am looking for a clean, minimal design.
I’d be really interested to know how you went about creating your latest theme – any chance of a post on the creative process?
thanks
Thanks for giving back. Great theme from a respected designer.
Hey David,
Lovely theme! I’ve been a huge fan of simple minimal themes that work on WordPress and have championed them for months on end.
I was very curious, did you have any doubts or reservations about releasing a theme that could essentially help others to have a site which looks virtually identical to your own?
Thanks,
Colin
One advantage, Andrew, which I reckon you’re enjoying, is the extra column-width for images.
Martin, I’m sure there’s info around here somewhere. I’ll have a look.
Colin, the only doubt I had was about attracting more emails than I already receive. Due to time, I need to delete more than I want to. As for similarities, sure, there are some, but as my new blog design is even simpler than before, it won’t be difficult to find plenty of other similar-looking sites. It’s my hope that the content sets this one apart.
@David. Oh yeah, loving it! I adjusted my current design for use on another blog, but ended up loving the extra image size so much, I ported it over to my main site. The only drawback is that all my current images are now too small, so I added a CSS declaration to “house” all previous images in a padded box – which looks a whole lot better…
I had the same issue here (images from the old theme design were much narrower than the new column-width). But as my sidebar is on the left, rather than on the right, like yours, the smaller images don’t look too out-of-place — they lead into infinite white space on the right. Seems that you found a good solution. Nice one.
Hi David,
thanks for the great theme, just started using it and it works a treat. Noticed it’s based on grid focus which was always a favourite of mine. I’m currently using the theme on my blog roundthebends.com and it works really nicely in listing everything that’s on the site. I’m enjoying the new look and so are my readers.
Thanks Rob.
My pleasure, Rob. Good luck with it.
Thank you for sharing the minimalistic theme… however I have reduced my blog right down to the basics, just a 1 column site with nothing much else.
I think the content is more important than a bandwidth-munching decorative site. Of course, I’d wish nobody used neon green text on electric blue background like in the early 90s no more.
David,
I’m not a web designer, I can only cobble together basic HTML pages (eg it was fine 12 years ago in the age of Geocities but not now). How hard is it to turn one’s website into a WordPress template? I’ve tried but with dreamweaver it’s far more convuluted than I thought. How did you learn? Any tips to point me in the right direction? Instructions via wp.com were just mind boggling.
I don’t know about David, Natalie, but I found this series incredibly useful in learning the anatomy of a WordPress theme:
http://www.wpdesigner.com/2007/02/19/so-you-want-to-create-wordpress-themes-huh/
from 3 years back! There’s probably something better out there now!
Hi Natalie, Rob found the same tutorial I followed a few years back. It takes time, but the instructions are great.
I’m starting a new blog this year, and I like the look of this theme David. It might be a bit TOO minimal for me however, would I be able to colour the right and left hand columns?
I would like a white central column for my posts, which I think would make it stand out more, contrasting with colour on either side.
As you are giving this away free, I can understand if you don’t answer.
John
Feel free to change it however you like, John.