At the beginning of this month, I mentioned I’d be developing a paid version of the Mimbo theme while continuing to evolve the free version. My original deadline was the end of this year, but I have been entertaining family and planning for a vacation these last two weeks.
Despite that, late at night I’ve been making preliminary sketches. I have several in the works, with different colors and layouts, but this one is the most complete so I thought I’d offer a preview (click for full version):
Unlike the free version, the emphasis here is on design polish, quantity of content and some AJAX tricks. Feel free to give feedback, but know that the final design will not attempt to include every single feature out there. I’m trying to straddle the difficult line between blog and magazine, knowing that no two users will use Mimbo Pro for the same two purposes.
I also saw today that HackWordpress featured a gallery of premium themes so let’s hope that spurs me on to finish Mimbo Pro next month. There is also good news regarding the sale of Mimbo Pro and some cool control panel options, but that will have to wait til I’m back from vacation. Stay tuned.
(BTW, I was a little hesitant to post any design previews, but since Mimbo has become a community-driven project, I thought I’d keep everyone in the loop and get some feedback)
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That articles slideshow area is definitely a unique feature I’ve never seen in any other themes. It would drive a new trend on the WordPress theme community, I’m sure!
I wonder what the “+” button at the top right corner of each category section does?
Anyway, best of luck. It does look very promising :)
--December 29, 2007 @ 11:42 pmDarren,
Thanks for mentioning my post today. Once it is completed and released, I will get it added to the gallery!
-Kyle
--December 30, 2007 @ 1:52 amSweet! Looks gook Darren!
--December 30, 2007 @ 2:24 amHafiz: the ‘plus’ icon is one of a few controls I want to add to the front-end so users can customize modules to their liking.
--December 30, 2007 @ 2:25 amLooks very interesting. Good luck.
--December 30, 2007 @ 4:58 amSimply unique and awesome. I’m waiting for you to finish.
--December 30, 2007 @ 8:13 amDarren, from what I see from the concept layout, Mimbo Pro is indeed spot on for what I need. It is an “ultra clean” design with navigation simplicity.
I have a hypothetical question: “Is it possible to have a wsiwyg drag-n-drop layout function in the foreseeable future in Wordpress?” I have seen one theme that is trying to do this based on user selection, but the theme is too boxy and dry. No real format.
It would be nice to drag-n-drop posts, photos, videos, and other elements to speed up the design process for the user.
--December 30, 2007 @ 10:19 am- I really like the fresh look of the upper part.
- The colors used in the section headings of “sports” , “travel” could be a bit more compatible with the upper part.
- I think you still can reduce the outer margins of the sidebar and ads.
- How customizable is the final design going to be (for a non CSS / photoshop wizard) ?
- Is it possible to ‘update’ from the free version of Mimbo to the Premium version?
Voila, some personal feedback. But I think this theme looks very appealing and well organized.
Any idea on the prizing?
--December 30, 2007 @ 1:45 pmRalph: were you talking about the Canvas (http://freshpursuits.com/canvas/) ? Or is there any other theme with drag-n-drop layout functionality?
--December 30, 2007 @ 2:22 pmGreat design! I really like the way your create your themes. Currently using the free version. When the pro is ready count me in for a sale.
Happy holidays.
--December 31, 2007 @ 8:55 amMan.. all I can say is WOW. That’s one of the best looking Premium Themes that I’ve ever seen. I’d definitely like to see it in action.
--December 31, 2007 @ 9:33 amWow…… exactly my futur theme
--December 31, 2007 @ 12:28 pmLooks good, great functionality. Would you be providing .psds with the theme? How would licence and updates be dealt with?
--January 1, 2008 @ 6:12 pmAlso… I’d like to know if auto-thumbnailing would be included so we wouldn’t have to upload seperate images for the main page and the story…
--January 2, 2008 @ 10:01 amDefinitely interested in seeing what this has to offer and the price point so I can make a final decision as to whether to use this or the free version. Can’t wait!
--January 2, 2008 @ 10:49 amEveryone is trying to get additional features I just want to know when it will be available for purchase, lol.
Awesome theme and really great work
--January 2, 2008 @ 3:51 pmHey. You develop and you CAN DESIGN!!! ITS NOT FAIR!
Cant wait for it to be out. Looks like its going to be an outstanding theme. :)
--January 3, 2008 @ 2:09 pm“Hey. You develop and you CAN DESIGN!!! ITS NOT FAIR!”
Yea.. it’s very rare to find someone who can do both WELL. That whole left brain/right brain thing..
--January 3, 2008 @ 2:49 pmCount me in. I love this new version and I realize now that I went from blog too far to magazine and I really need something in between. Get it finished!
--January 4, 2008 @ 4:55 amThumbs up Darren, looks awesome. I wonder if I can modify it to suit my design i did a while back for an Aid Organisation (please dont rip off the design .. public) http://preview.webcentric.co.za/maa/ then client changed to this http://preview.webcentric.co.za/maa3/
What are you looking at charging for the premium theme?
Keep up the great work..
marek @ webcentric
--January 4, 2008 @ 1:35 pmI am definitely buying it.
I was wondering if you could use the same sliding feature for the categories ( I have a lot of categories and it will not look good to have 5 lines with categories - a button “next categories’ will do ) as you do it for the articles ( it will be perfect if all the articles could be previewed by sliding )
--January 4, 2008 @ 6:41 pmWow, can’t wait to see Mimbo Pro. Looks cool if you add video capability
--January 6, 2008 @ 3:03 amThat’s what I call “premium”. Love the “puffs” below the main feature. The footer might be the only thing that seems slightly out of place for me but otherwise very well done. I’ll definitely be a potential buyer of the theme :)
--January 7, 2008 @ 11:59 amI would not hesitate to purchase this what-so-ever. Looking good, Darren! I’m excited for the outcome.
--January 7, 2008 @ 3:14 pmThis is a hot design! I used your free version and love it. Do you have a price tag on this yet?
--January 7, 2008 @ 5:49 pmMy recommendation would be to fit it around 468px and 300px wide columns and have spaces for 468×60 and 300×250 adverts. That’s what I look for in commercial templates.
--January 8, 2008 @ 4:22 pmDarren returns today from his vacation in South Africa and I’m sure he will be eager to get Mimbo Pro up and running. I might hog him for a little while before I let him return to his computer though.
--January 9, 2008 @ 8:31 amgood stuff darren, you have at least one small potato waiting to see the finished product
--January 9, 2008 @ 2:10 pmHafiz, that was not the theme I was referring to. I will check out that link later today. It was another them I saw with a white and green theme. Very boxy indeed. This one you posted appears more sophisticated. I will check it out.
--January 10, 2008 @ 1:01 pmLove it!!! :)
Cant wait till its finished - and to buy it! Please add my email into your database, and inform me, when It`s finished!
Thank you,
Cheers from Slovenia!
--January 11, 2008 @ 11:30 amI’ve been looking around for a magazine theme for a while now, and this looks by far as the sweetest one. Hope you can make it work as the image is promising.
--January 11, 2008 @ 4:36 pmSweet piece of work!, finally some colors for a ‘premium theme’ instead of the usual mostly ‘white’ color.
--January 11, 2008 @ 5:15 pmA featured video part would make it more complete
--January 11, 2008 @ 6:05 pmAn amazing template.
--January 11, 2008 @ 9:04 pmI like it alot, you can probably put me down for one maybe two. i am using mimbo in a couple projects right now. i will let you know when we go public with one of them.
--January 11, 2008 @ 9:20 pmIf you use the Kubrick header section, you might know that the default WordPress theme (Kubrick) is vulnerable due to its header code:
--January 12, 2008 @ 8:18 amAffected Script: /themes.php?page=functions.php
“Header Image and Color� section of the Default Theme.
Really nice! how muvh will you charge for it?
--January 12, 2008 @ 5:28 pmLooks good Darren! Can’t wait to see the final product. :)
--January 12, 2008 @ 10:48 pmWill the paid version work with WPMU?
--January 14, 2008 @ 2:26 amThis is a good theme for wordpress, very nice.
--January 14, 2008 @ 9:12 amDo you have a new target date for this? It looks great, and I need to buy it. Now.
--January 17, 2008 @ 1:08 pmI love this theme and I have been looking for a new design. I think it is worth the premium cost for the PRO version. Where can I get the info on how to get it?
--January 19, 2008 @ 7:50 amI’m very interted and I will pay for that!
--January 25, 2008 @ 6:54 pmLet me know when we can get some more news…
see u
Nice work!
--January 28, 2008 @ 11:59 amI am Spanish, I ´m sorry for my bad English.
It is the most beautiful thing I have seen, and see that I have taken hours. I am very INTEREST on this issue mimbo pro. SL PRECIOSO. As I get? You can tell when it will be available for esperarme or not?
Thank you
--February 1, 2008 @ 2:01 pmDarren.
This is very exciting. We look forward to seeing what you have created!
Hope to see you soon.
Sara
--February 5, 2008 @ 11:47 amWAITING PATIENTLY
--February 5, 2008 @ 8:23 pmWaiting impatiently ;-)
Really looking forward to seeing it, hope you can get it out soon.
--February 18, 2008 @ 12:27 amI’ve been looking at different themes for a new version of my site later in the year and so far this has been the best, it can’t come soon enough from the looks of it.
--February 19, 2008 @ 1:41 amPlease let me know when this theme is available. How much would it cost?
--February 22, 2008 @ 9:21 amDamn Hoyter, this looks sweet. nice work.
--March 7, 2008 @ 10:31 pm