Becoming A WP Theme Developer

Hi everyone,

recently I’ve started reading up on WordPress Theme Development, once again.

I found a few good books, and a few bad ones. I am improving slowly. Not surely (which bugs me).

I am very intimidated by the code. Not as much as I used to be(when I just started), because I am starting to understand how CSS (plus a CSS framework) works, which HTML5 elements are best used and how the PHP pages in WordPress function. There is still, after months of reading and messing with code and syntax, a lot of hocus pocus though :(.

There is sooooooo much to learn (!), that I have no, no clue at all where to start. I have learned a lot of CSS3 and HTML5, enough to understand and implement most of it (thats’s good :).

But does anyone here develop WordPress themes professionally? I think professionally designed/ developed WordPress themes are beautiful and I would be really happy to become a professional developer. The code is pretty complicated though, well, when you try to memorize it by heart. I am going over a lot of code every day, but right now, it is still a confusing heap of code to me. This is normal, I am sure. But I am not moving forward right now!

I am actually a graphic designer, looking to switch to web design. I have always aimed for excellence in my work, so I have already decided to learn all I can about WordPress PHP, HTML5 and CSS3 while also continue practising with Illustrator and DreamWeaver. I am sure that when I know a lot, I’ll be free to create my own beautiful themes. At the moment, though, I am far removed from my dream :(.

Where did you start? Does it indeed take a long, long time before you can design and develop themes professionally (it takes me long to get through the code, I also lose perspective as I delve into the code)? And, aren’t there excellent WordPress frameworks as well (I know of Hybrid and Thematic, but am still not skilled enough to use those).

It is my dream to become a great designer/ developer who knows his way around WordPress and is able to provide his customers with beautiful, specifically tailored themes.

Right now I am realizing it’ll take a lot of work (which I don’t mind! I am ready): so, what is the best route to take? Which books or websites can really get me going (aside from the WordPress codex ;)).

What I am lookin for is a structured approach to figuring out- step by step -how the code works. Starting with the big chunks, and moving into the smaller bits and pieces.

Thank you all so much :), I am looking forward to your replies and experiences!

Wout