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$175 *Wordpress Theme Design Contest* Examples Inside - Also Bonus Opportunity!

Discussion in 'Design Contests' started by shamus, Sep 12, 2007.

  1. #1
    So here is a chance for a budding designer to rake in a quick $175 (paid via Paypal).

    I have a blog which is in dire need of a makeover. I've come to a point where I absolutely need a makeover for motivation purposes. Fellow bloggers will know what I mean when I say that. There is nothing more inspirational that a fresh, impressive looking design!

    The blog you would be designing the theme for can be found here

    Better yet, I'm going to make this simple for you designer types. I know designers like to have as much creative control/least amount of restrictions as possible, so I'm going to leave a majority of the design in your hands.

    All I ask is one thing - take a look at these 3 themes...

    Here
    Here
    Here

    I am looking for something that looks like these. The same designer did all of those above, and while he is a great guy, I just don't have the $800 it takes to hire him. I figured running a contest on DP would bring out some of the creative types if the price was right.

    Also - I need this packaged like any other theme you download, I want to be able to upload it and make it live. This would be a design I keep for quite some time, so make it good! Help me brand my image!

    Bonus - this is a contest, but if someone posts a nice looking design within the next 48 hours that I like and want, I will throw in a $25 time bonus (which would make you a total of $200).

    I hope this contest will bring out some decent designs (very excited!). Please take inspiration from the example blogs posted above, and show me what you're made of.

    Thanks and best of luck to all!

    Note - I have a steady following of readers, and you'll be able to have a link in the footer of course, so this could help get your name out there!
     
    shamus, Sep 12, 2007 IP
    Blogsip likes this.
  2. MoonlightxSonata

    MoonlightxSonata Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Count me in. I just got done with another WP theme (the anime WP theme contest down the list).

    How would you like it to look like? 2 or 3 sidebars? Color scheme? Any specific logos or images?
     
    MoonlightxSonata, Sep 12, 2007 IP
  3. shamus

    shamus Active Member

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    #3
    moonlight - thanks for the response!

    Like a couple of the example blogs I mention, I like the wider right sidebar, so I guess you would call that two columns. Color scheme, while I'm leaving that in your hands, I like blues, greens, reds, grays, whites, blacks (not all together of course!) Surprise me.

    As far as a logo, I was hoping that whoever did the contest would design one for me. Just make my name look cool or something. Something like what they've done on darrin.cc

    Again, I just want it to look good, like the other sites I mention. Be creative, give me a new look and feel. Set me apart from the rest of the "cookie cutter" themes and brand my image.

    Thanks!
     
    shamus, Sep 12, 2007 IP
  4. MoonlightxSonata

    MoonlightxSonata Well-Known Member

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    #4
    Got it. I'll start working on it tomorrow. I have a good idea as to where to take this design. =)
     
    MoonlightxSonata, Sep 12, 2007 IP
  5. shamus

    shamus Active Member

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    #5
    Sounds awesome! I'm pretty pumped to see some results. Thanks!!!!
     
    shamus, Sep 12, 2007 IP
  6. shamus

    shamus Active Member

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    #6
    So far, only one entrant in the contest. I thought for $175 I would get a few more by now! Come on Wordpress freaks, let's see what ya got!
     
    shamus, Sep 13, 2007 IP
  7. freakitude

    freakitude Banned

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    #7
    Cool contest.

    I was also very much inspired by new johnchow and shoemoney designs. I asked my favorite designer guy to design something similar.

    He made theme named Freaky Green, available for free at my site. He charged me $110 for this.

    I will keep an eye on this contest and see how it goes. :)
     
    freakitude, Sep 13, 2007 IP
  8. neme12

    neme12 Peon

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    #8
    is this contest still open?
     
    neme12, Sep 13, 2007 IP
  9. MoonlightxSonata

    MoonlightxSonata Well-Known Member

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    #9
    I'm working on something right now, although progress might be a little slow since I'm fighting the flu. Sorry if it's taking a while.
     
    MoonlightxSonata, Sep 13, 2007 IP
  10. shamus

    shamus Active Member

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    #10
    freakitdude- thanks for your tips

    neme12 - yes, the contest is still open, thanks!

    moon - thanks for your hard work, hope you get better with the flu!
     
    shamus, Sep 13, 2007 IP
  11. xmedia

    xmedia Peon

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    #11
    Just a psd design or does it need to be coded?
     
    xmedia, Sep 13, 2007 IP
  12. shamus

    shamus Active Member

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    #12
    Definitely coded. Like I said in the OP, I would like to be able to get theme, upload, and go live.

    Thanks.
     
    shamus, Sep 13, 2007 IP
  13. neme12

    neme12 Peon

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    #13
    ok then i'm in:p
     
    neme12, Sep 13, 2007 IP
  14. bsklep

    bsklep Well-Known Member

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    #14
    I'm interested.

    Count me in.
     
    bsklep, Sep 13, 2007 IP
  15. shamus

    shamus Active Member

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    #15
    Anyone have any sneak previews yet? I'm pumped!
     
    shamus, Sep 14, 2007 IP
  16. MoonlightxSonata

    MoonlightxSonata Well-Known Member

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    #16
    I finally finished the overall look for it. I still want to work on the header but if you're ok with it then let me know. Since I saw your site held a couple of different ads I made a couple of spaces for it. You can put them under the 'Welcome' header (just take away the header), the first header on the sidebar, inside the second sidebar (example image), or the bottom of the posts.

    http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7914/002yg1.jpg

    Like I said, I'm not done just yet but this is essentially where it's heading. If you want any colors or fonts changed let me know. =)
     
    MoonlightxSonata, Sep 14, 2007 IP
  17. shamus

    shamus Active Member

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    #17
    Wow Moon! Thanks for being the first preview, much appreciated!

    Okay, from here I have some ideas that would make it a winner:

    Header - interesting design, where it says the name of my blog (ryanshamus dot com, I'm looking for a more "brandable" logo. Something that perhaps stands out a bit more?

    Colors - This is funny - being formerly enlisted in the Army, I'm a huge fan of the color combo you have there, but I don't think it's the right combo for my blog. After staring at this for a while, I'm leaning more towards a blue theme. More blues, whites, silvers would get it looking especially attractive!

    I like the sidebar for the most part - but like the example blogs I listed, I would like a section dedicated solely for 125 x125 ads. I would like enough room for 4 of them in a square fashion (2x2)

    Also taken from the example sites, I would like, if possible, a 3 column thing under the header (one section for popular posts, another one for maybe announcements, the other for widgets, stats or whatever - I would like the ability to put whatever I want in them...)

    I really like the navigation menu and how it's integrated. Looks nice.

    I know this sounds a lot like John Chow's layout, but I like his so much, that's what I'm looking for, but with a twist that makes it unique to me. I hope that helps move you in the direction I'm shooting for.

    Thanks so much Moon, you have a definite leg up in this contest. Utilize the advice above, and I may name a winner sooner than later.

    For the rest of the entrants, you now see where I am going with this....please take the above ideas and implement them.

    Thanks all!!!
     
    shamus, Sep 14, 2007 IP
  18. Blogsip

    Blogsip Well-Known Member

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    #18
    I'm going to give this a shot. Expect a preview from me within 24 hours.
     
    Blogsip, Sep 14, 2007 IP
  19. shamus

    shamus Active Member

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    #19
    Blogsip - sweet! Can't wait to see it. Thanks for participating :)
     
    shamus, Sep 14, 2007 IP
  20. Blogsip

    Blogsip Well-Known Member

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    #20
    Blogsip, Sep 15, 2007 IP