Jin Lab
Project
I built a custom WordPress theme for a UCSD research lab. This may not be the most polished looking site, but the client was happy with the end result.
Process
After consulting with the client, I went to work on a simple, but modern design. I started with the Roots starter theme for WordPress as usual. I created a backend interface using Advanced Custom Fields to add new researchers, publications, and gallery images to the site. All content can be managed by the client without any source code modifications. At the client’s request, I implemented a header that fades between two images. As a challenge to myself I created this feature using CSS only.
Challenges
Typically I manage the WordPress installs of my client’s, but in this case UCSD had servers available. I was stoked I didn’t have to manage the installation, however I did run into issues. I later learned that the Roots theme has an incompatible file structure with the WordPress theme uploader. This meant that every time I made even minor tweaks to the theme I had to send a zip to the server administrator so he could upload it using FTP. Of course I develop locally, but deploying to production became a slow process of email tag.