If are you proficient with Php, HTML, and CSS the possibilities of what you can achieve with WordPress are unlimited. Even if you aren’t a coding or web development guru, there are still many simple things that you can do to improve your WordPress site. There are a countless number of plugins that do just about everything, but there are many times where all you need to do is copy and paste a simple line of code to tweak your site. Here are five of my favorite simple WordPress tricks to change the look, feel and function of your WordPress template.

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I love to draw. I have an entire library of sketchbooks and folders full of my drawings, sketches, “scraps”, and doodles…

These days, I don’t often find myself drawing just for the sake of drawing. If I have a sketchbook in my lap and a pencil in my hand, chances are that I’m sketching a logo, illustration or a website mock-up for a client. When I do find spare time, I try to experiment with new styles to sharpen my skills and expand my creative abilities. Usually I need to go looking for inspiration. But on occasion, like the first time I laid eyes on the cover art for Mario Strikers Charged, inspiration finds me.

The cover art for Mario Strikers Charged really caught my attention. I have a tendency to draw realistically, using only pencil, so I have a great appreciation for artists who use lots of color and / or pull off that rough sketch look. It inspired me to dust off my box of oil pastels that I hadn’t used since high school! Check out the entire cast of characters with their new, darker looks:

What Inspires You?

If you have anything that you would like to include in this series, please let me know! Send your post, your website URL (optional) and any pictures you would like to include to krissy@6bdesign.com.

For me, staring at a blank piece of paper or screen is the first and most intimidating part of any creative process. I’ll just sit there, hoping that some incredible idea or concept will just pop into my head. If nothing “pops”, I’ll try listening to some good music. If that doesn’t work, I’ll take 5 and go make a cup of coffee. And if the coffee doesn’t help, I try not to get frustrated; I look for inspiration.

Instead of browsing through sites like CSS Zen Garden or Best Web Gallery hoping to be inspired, I try to look for what I call everyday inspiration. I look at the everyday items that surround me: CDs, DVDs, books, magazines, catalogs, even product and food packaging. You see these items everyday and might not give any thought to their design. But just like a website, most all of these items have a layout, a logo, different typefaces, artwork, combinations of colors, patterns, etc. I know it’s pretty nerdy, but I even look at some of their layouts and think of how I’d splice them to code them as a website.

I am going to write a series of posts about the everyday items that inspire me. Hopefully some of the posts will help to inspire you too. And if you have anything that you would like to include in this series, please let me know! Send your post, your website URL (optional) and any pictures you would like to include to krissy@6bdesign.com.