Chris Barnett | GD252 Blog

Enlarge Images With Lightbox

// May 13th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Tutorials, Web Design, Wordpress

In response to Chris’ post on making links to full size images I decided you all might be able to benefit from a tutorial on how to achieve a cool lightbox effect when viewing images.

The Idea:

Imagine utilizing Wordpress to create an entire portfolio. With the help of a plugin for wordpress called Lightbox 2 presenting your work in a cool way is very easy to achieve. Effortless way to post new work, and maintain a blog at the same time. All powered by a standards compliant platform that we are all becoming familiar with.

The Process:

The first step is to organize your assets. That means prepare a set of smaller thumbnail images you wish to include in a portfolio page as well as full size renditions of that same project. Save, and hold onto them to upload to your post.

Next, download the Lightbox 2 plugin for Wordpress.

Install the plugin by clicking Add New in the plugins tab located on the left hand side of your Dashboad.

Here you will browse for the .zip file that you downloaded from the plugin homepage. After the file has been uploaded click Install Now.

After that, the newly installed plugin has to be activated in order for it to work. To activate the Lightbox 2 plugin click on Installed in the same Plugin tab in the previous step. Now it’s active and ready to be configured.

Under the settings tab you will find Lightbox. Click there to configure some custom settings to meet your needs.

Custom Options:

• Change background color
• Choose overlay opacity
• Set resize speed
• Declare which sections you want to use Lightbox
• Set Lightbox to automatically enable on all images

Explore the power of Wordress and plugins, they can really make your blog/site stand out. If you have any questions leave them in the comments. I’m happy to help.

Wordpress For A Portfolio

// May 1st, 2009 // No Comments » // Branding, Promotion, Web Design, Wordpress

The more I learn about web design the more stoked I get about Wordpress. I have used the powerful back end of this blogging platform as a content management system on almost half a dozen sites now. When looking to make a portfolio to show off my websites and photography I am considering using Wordpress to help. Although I have just begun beta versions of the design for my portfolio I have found a link that convinced me Wordpress is the way to go. It is another great one from Smashing Magazine – Ultimate Guide To Using Wordpress For A Portfolio. Now all that’s left is to finish the design and organize my portfolio pieces. Really excited to finally have a portfolio, it’s been too long.

Envato Empire

// April 30th, 2009 // No Comments » // Branding, Graphic Design, Inspiration, Jobs, Networking, Organization, Photography, Promotion, Rants, Tutorials, Web Design, Wordpress

When considering all the information that I come across on the internet most of the things I see are influenced by Twitter, and my RSS reader. This got me thinking… If I were stranded on a desert island and I only had access to one group of networked sites it would have be the Envato Network. I swear by their umbrella of Tuts+ sites for great tutorials for all my favorite applications. I have touched slightly on the marketplace structure of sites they have including the most recent and a favorite of mine, Graphic River. Another one of those, “Why didn’t I think of this?”, moments when seeing these sites that allow anyone to buy and sell design related goods and services. That’s not all… In case you didn’t have enough excellent content to expand your knowledge there is a handfull of other services they offer. From AppStorm, for everything Mac related, to the must have RSS feed for any freelancer, Freelance Switch. Stranded and alone, I could survive with the Envato Network. Do you know of any networks this diverse? I want to open this one up for feedback, maybe to see if anyone reads these things.

Wordpress For Designers

// April 7th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Tutorials, Web Design, Wordpress

Until I can find some time to put together a little tutorial for the GD252 class you might want to check The WP Video Series from the In The Woods Blog. They have just released day 12 of the series and have covered everything from installation and the admin panel to slicing PSDs and using widgets. These guys always put out great video tutorials and have even been helpful when I have had questions about web development. As always, if you are going through these videos and have questions about Wordpress find me in class or send me an email.