Would you like a *beautiful* child theme?

[LeoParticipant]

Development on the new version of Symbiostock is well along. But I’m also aware people will not want to convert right away.

I’d like to make a few small revisions on the present version of Symbiostock (to make it faster) and also release an absolutely beautiful child theme.

Who is up for it? Who feels this is needed? In my honest opinion, Symbiostock leaves a bit to be desired in appearance.

Let me know. Attaled poll.

[marthamarksParticipant]

Leo, it’s a bit hard to answer that question. I really do like the look of my site as is, but that’s not to say it couldn’t be improved.

What worries me is that I’m still using the “Clean Theme” child theme from an early 3rd-party developer, which (as you know) isn’t being supported any more. You personally made hands-on modifications to my child theme last year, so I could keep using it. I have a hunch that “Clean Theme” won’t work with the new-and-improved SYS you’re building now, or that it will forever be a problem as the software evolves.

So, count me as happy now… but open to changing the child theme if it’s necessary to keep pace with new developments.

[ChristineParticipant]

Option 3 ?

am happy with appearence at the moment but there is always room for improvement 🙂

http://kerioakimaging.com - trying to reopen
http://nail-art-at.kerioak.com - Art and Nail Art

[LeoParticipant]

Its unlikely we’ll ever be able to “drop” the present version of Symbiostock and it will always have a measure of support. I think the revisions it will get are mostly performance and changes that occur with WordPress’s development. But I think we’re desperately overdue for a good appearance option like the more established photostores.

It will be a few days work for me, but I think the detour is necessary.

[THPStockParticipant]

@leo wrote:

Its unlikely we’ll ever be able to “drop” the present version of Symbiostock and it will always have a measure of support. I think the revisions it will get are mostly performance and changes that occur with WordPress’s development. But I think we’re desperately overdue for a good appearance option like the more established photostores.

It will be a few days work for me, but I think the detour is necessary.

Totally. At the moment Symbio is a hodge podge of styles and looks – and to be honest, some don’t look the prettiest. Sorry, but that is my completely honest and blunt opinion. Not saying mine is amazing either, but it’s the best I could do with what I had to work with in Symbio as a non coder. And I feel most are in the same boat.

So something out of the box that looks AWESOME would be a real winner for us all. I think it is totally worth your time Leo, and good on you for thinking of it.

Not sure if it helps, but check out this design option someone did for iStock… beautiful stuff.

https://www.behance.net/gallery/16432355/iStock-rebrand-concept

EDIT: May I just add, since it’s relevant to design, that I am no SEO expert, but I have noticed that each of the major sites seems to be redesigning there image page layouts to be VERY similar in layout, and I am wondering if there is SEO strategy behind that. Check it out as an example, and look at the positioning of things on the page:

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=119648473
http://depositphotos.com/7835404/stock-photo-Jungle-Landscape.html
http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-yellow-background-unusual-fabric-twisted-balls-image39343777
http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-43642771/

Notice a theme? Maybe, just maybe, there is a reason they are laid out this way. Especially since some of these sites have only recently upgraded these pages, and made them all fit this layout.

Food for thought anyway. 🙂

View my portfolio at THPStock Direct via Microstock Man. I also do Web Design & Graphic Design.

[JoAnnSnoverParticipant]

I didn’t answer the poll because I think the difficulty is in the many definitions of beautiful 🙂

I have some very strong opinions about sites I like the look of and those I really detest, and I would love not to have to invest any time and effort in the look of my site. If I had a choice of a few stunning (to me) designs, that would be great.

I was another Clean Theme purchaser. I took a different route from Martha though. I didn’t want to be on an unsupported platform so I switched to Dragonfly and made bazillions of changes (mostly CSS but a few code) to get to something close to the old Clean Theme appearance.

I’ve tried to get rid of borders and boxes and random icons and other elements that I see as clutter – but possibly are the things of beauty in someone else’s view.

I think when you’re selling something visual, having a great looking site is very important.

[AndreParticipant]

I’m all for a NEW look.

I think most Symbiostock sites in general (mine included) look ok but boring. And in our “business” presentation is everything. We are selling visual arts, aren’t we? So our sites need to be impressive not just functional.
And there have been web design trend changes in the recent past that shouldn’t be ignored either.

Stock Photos at PictureBreeze.com

[LeoParticipant]

So far majority wants something classy and cool. I’ll make it available soon. Thanks for the feedback.

[Author]

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