9 November 2015

Top 15 Professional WordPress Theme Crafters to Watch Closely

When it comes to professional website platforms, WordPress stands at the top of the list. But with numerous theme makers to choose from, who should you pick?

WordPress themes are highly in-demand for their gorgeous and easily customizable designs. However, as they become more popular, more artists are also stepping forward to appeal to your senses and your wallet. Given the thousands of artists on Theme Forest alone, finding one that truly matches your unique preferences can be difficult.

Nonetheless, to give you a head start, we suggest that you take a look at these 15 promising WordPress theme crafters:

ThemeGoods

Lists: 15 WordPress Theme Crafters to Watch Closely

Slick and modern best describe this artist’s work. Colors are kept to a minimum while photos and images are smartly placed to catch and guide the visitor’s eyes throughout the page. ThemeGoods currently features six designs: Photography, Photome, Vega, Meteors, Letsblog, Rigel, Grand Restaurant, Altair, and Constructor.

OWMLabs

Devoted to creating responsive, slider designs, the OWMLab themes incorporate minimal elements that allow visitors to completely focus on the images presented. Both its KingSize WordPress theme and HTML template are claimed to be the number one photo templates.

Edge Themes

True to its name, this designer’s themes are edgy. Sans fonts and engaging layouts are primarily used to create a balance between the vivid images and the simple types. Edge Themes currently offers four bright and stylish themes, namely, Hudson, Homa, Vigor, and Tactile.

Serzh

Combining uncommon lines with traditional shapes, the themes from this designer come out cool and inspiring. The splash of colors further helps in creating a fun aura for the two themes—Case and Parasponsive—that Serzh offers both in one-page and responsive CSS formats.

Your Inspiration

Compared to the four previous designers, Sara P offers a wider range of themes. With an emphasis on smart image placement and use of white space, Your Inspiration delivers clean and neatly appealing designs. At the moment, Sara offers 13 themes, all of which are aimed at creating professional e-commerce sites.

Artillegence

Lists: 15 WordPress Theme Crafters to Watch Closely 2

Multi-purpose themes that provide endless variations are the speciality of this designer. Artillegence utilizes clean designs and combines it with excellent stylers and builders to help consumers create unique websites that perfectly matches their needs and objectives.

Pexeto

Some people think flashy is the way to go when it comes to creating websites, but that’s a misconception. The classy WordPress theme designs from Pexeto will make you realize that elegant and adaptable are the right choice. At the moment, Pexeto offers 12 stunning themes, most of which are responsive.

Brankic1979

Focused on clean and responsive designs, Brankic1979 offers a selection of themes for professionals and businesses. Depending on the theme you actually choose, you may get several layouts, post formats, and shortcodes among others.

RockNRollaDesigns

With such a rad name, you can guarantee that this designer brings chic themes to the table. Browsing through the classic layouts and bold colors, you won’t be disappointed to see the alluring and efficient one-page responsive designs RockNRollaDesigns offers.

Select Themes

Like Artillegence, Select Themes focus on multi-purpose designs. However, this designer leans toward contemporary styles that put images front and center and then adorns them with decorative types. With some splash of colors, the themes look fun and upbeat.

Qode Interactive

Another multi-purpose theme lover, Qode doesn’t stick with a specific style or layout for the designs. Some of the themes it offers are retina-ready, others are geared for businesses and professionals, and others still are made to reflect creative personalities.

Veented

Lists: 15 WordPress Theme Crafters to Watch Closely 3

Variety is the spice of life, and that seems to be the design life motto of Veented. The WordPress themes from this designer differ not only in formats and colors but also styles. On offer is an array of cool and bright layouts made into one-page, responsive, and multi-purpose themes.

BeantownThemes

Favoring clean designs, BeantownThemes mostly offers themes that exude simplicity and professionalism. While appearing plain, the themes are flexible and, depending on your choice, may come with beautiful sliders and powerful builders. Do check out the snazzy Chemistry theme for your portfolio or shop.

Spab Rice

What fuels graphic designers to make eye-catching WordPress themes? Creativity, of course! And this creativity, Spab Rice wants to share through its fun and clean designs that use smart image placement, monotone colors, and simple fonts that make them adaptable for any website purpose.

Themeton

What makes a website look professional and inspirational? When you visit Themeton, you will find out that it’s all about utilizing designs that draw attention and using simple fonts and color schemes that put the focus on your actual products and presentations.

6 November 2015

CLD Exclusive Freebie: Huge Vintage 50s 60s Americana Tattoo Designs

Today’s exclusive freebie is from our good friends and graphic masters Freepik! They’ve gone above and beyond with this cool and vintage set of tattoo designs.

Drawing inspiration and influences of 50s and 60s Americana culture, you can find deep colors and vivid inked art in this set of old school designs.

With traditional themes like marine, love and flowers, symbols, knives, and of course skull and bones, this set is perfect for an actual tattoo or for your next design project. Download direct from the link below!

exclusive freebie

exclusive freebie

exclusive freebie

Tattooo

If you like this freebie you can get more of it by clicking the ‘Freebie’ tab on the header. Else, join our newsletter to the right so you don’t miss out on the good stuff!

4 November 2015

Top 10 Tools For Java Developers And Designers

Writing quality Java codes is one of the considerations of Java developers and designers when it comes to development of Java based programs.

The enormous utilities in the Java framework are all there to help developers create efficient programs with significant coding.

For helping developers to code easier programming, a number of tools are there that can be utilized for the purpose. Here is a detailed description of the tools that are must have for Java developers.

This write-up is going to benefit beginners a lot, who are not well aware of the tools and generally waste a lot of time in searching the right option. The article is going to help the developers, beginners and all those who wish to gain insightful information about Java tools.

  1. Clover

The tool is mostly utilized for test advancements and efficient execution for upgrades in code. Clover is a subline device and it is executed in a nonstop incorporation framework. It recognizes things that get affected with coding blunders and makes the users aware of the fact while checking. Change in the code does not impact the testing phase and it puts forward speedier inputs to help in testing the codes.

java tools for designers and developers

  1. Librato

Being a hosted server, Librato smooths up administration that controls and guards cloud applications. It helps the developers in the arrangement of custom dashboard. The outstanding device makes it easy for facilitating the execution of things to make the information sensible. Whenever specific information is passed on thresholds, alarm notifications get generated. Thus, it is a wonderful tool to implement the things perfectly.

java tools for designers and developers

  1. Eclipse

Eclipse still holds the preferred position among the developers in the race of several other preferred development environments. The robust customized interface and a number of plugins have featured the importance of the tool among the web developers.

The workflow of Eclipse is divided into three areas: the Workbench, the workspace, and the perspective. The Workbench is the starting point of IDE. Workspace is there for grouping the files, projects, and configuration settings. Perspective, on the other hand, defines the views, tool, and settings available in Workbench based on the context of workspace.
java tools for designers and developers

  1. Gradle

Gradle is recognized as a project automation tool that has exclusive features of Apache Maven and Apache art. Gradle is gaining quick popularity among the list of other developed tools. The tool can also be utilized as the default built tool for Android. Gradle is simple and easy to use. Gradle makes use of Groovy programming language as opposed to the XML syntax utilized by Maven and Ant. For adding new languages, Gradle has a list of exceptional plugins.

  1. JUnit

JUnit prides itself on being an open source framework. The basic JUnit test comprises testing class, a testing method, as well as the functionality that is to be tested. Annotations are used by JUnit to get details on how tests are structured and run. For example if there is a class lets assume MathsClass having the methods of division and multiplications, JUnit test can be created to check for unexpected values. JUnit provides extra annotations that can be used to set the environment before the test runs.

  1. FindBugs

FindBug is open source that operates on Java Bytecode instead of source code. The tool has the potential to find the errors that may include null pointer, dereferences, infinite recursive loops, degraded use of Java library, as well as deadlocks. The tool is available as plugin for Eclipse, NetBeans, and more.

  1. Plumbr

Plumbr can be said as one of the productive tools that are used by developers to fix programming issues. The tool has potential to identify the locked threads, money leaks, and many more such issues in a JavaScript code. Additionally, the tool helps to smoothen and optimize the code results.

java tools for designers and developers

  1. VisualVM

VisualVM comes as an ideal choice for developers to monitor and review the performance of Java applications. The tool detects and gets attached to the active JVM instances so that the diagnostic information about a process can be collected. The tool is one exceptional to diagnose performance issues in real time.
java tools for designers and developers

  1. JProfiler

Renowned as Java portfolio tool, JProfiler comes as a useful option that helps analyze performance bottlenecks, CPU loads, as well as resolving threading issues. JProfiler provides support when profiling on the same machine or remote machines. JProfiler works as a stand-alone application as well as a plugin for Eclipse.

  1. Jar Jar Links

It is a common observation that implementing distinctive versions of libraries in a product, packages, or namespace clashes. The ‘Jar Jar Links’ helps developers avoid such kind of issues by creating suitable packages. The tool is one ideal for overcoming the dependency problems.

The list of the aforementioned tools comprises some of the most utilized Java development toolkits that facilitate the development procedure with a more effective approach. Apart from the tools that have been mentioned here, the Java landscape is continuously changing with the arrival of robust, powerful and dynamic tools, utilities, as well as libraries.

Author Bio: Being a creative developer at Sparx IT SolutionsJava Web development Company, Tom Hardy remains abreast of the latest website trends in the market. He loves to share his knowledge and ideas with the people through blogs and keeps them aware of the current changes in technologies. Follow him on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

 

3 November 2015

Best 22 Examples of Engaging Long Scroll Websites

Traditional web formats are beautiful with their simple layouts and separated pages. But if you’re looking to impress , long scroll websites are the way to go.

When it comes to a successful product, service, or presentation, the key is to keep your audience glued to the screen from start to finish. However, that would not be possible if your visitor needs to jump from one page to another to get information.

That’s where the long scroll website format comes in. This website design promotes the use of a long home page to provide as much information including features, statistics, videos, and contact details.

If you are looking for inspiration and to learn what excellent long scroll websites are made of, then you ought to check out our top 22 picks:

Square POS

22 Best Long Scroll Websites

Mixing a minimalist design with some simple animations, Square POS entices you to try a different point-of-sale system—one that grows and moves with you.

Karma

No, it’s not the universe getting back at you. Karma Go is a WiFi system you can take wherever you go. With an introductory video and colourful graphics, it wants you to think of the things you can do with a reliable and portable WiFi.

PUPPETS

Colorful graphics, smooth animations, and endless looping make this French creative team’s long scrolling website magical. The use of minimal texts and quirky photos and illustrations only make PUPPETS more out of this world.

Nest Thermostat

With a slick design and advanced features, this small round thermostat can do wonders in keeping your home temperature in check, saving you thousands of dollars in the long run. Reflecting the product’s simple but efficient design, the Nest website also adopts a classy and engaging layout.

CycleByCycle

To present the culture and diversity of bicycles, CycleByCycle uses an array of pastel colors and beautifully clean illustrations that you can zoom in to see the details better.

Panache

The graphic designer duo behind Panache truly knows how to catch eyes as they made their long scrolling website using bright colors, hypnotic patterns, and simple transitions.

Vulking

22 Best Long Scroll Websites 2

Presenting vulcanized shoes aimed at outdoor explorations, this shoe website lures visitors with visions of action and adventure. The combination of still and looping images, along with the notable features of its collection, make Vulking irresistible.

Squarespace

“Build it beautiful.” That is the enticing message from Squarespace. With its gallery of beautiful design samples and the long list of desirable features, we can’t help but think that building an attractive and efficient website is indeed easy.

Made in Days

Handcrafted wallets made with genuine waxed leather and firm vegan felt are the highlight of Made of Days. This website showcases its product’s fine features and their limited-time promotions in one long page.

Atlassian

This colourful infographic from Atlassian will make you realize just how many distractions you deal with every day at work and how they affect your and the business’ overall performance.

Nathan Riley

Previously, we have presented Green Chameleon as one of the creative design agencies to look out for. Now, we present to you the website of one of the artists behind it. Using a simple scrolling format and bold fonts superimposed on the related design project, Nathan Riley’s website exudes a cool and classy aura.

Dangers of Fracking

What is hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” and how does it affect nature and us humans? This informative long scrolling website shares meaty details about the Dangers of Fracking using storybook illustrations, complete with paper textures, and animations that will make you reconsider using natural gas.

NASA Prospect

With beautiful illustrations and ambient music and sound effects, NASA Prospect takes you on an adventure of epic proportions—a journey through space where you will land and cruise through all planets in the Milky Way Galaxy to unravel the secrets of the golden objects and save humankind.

La Moulade

Another creative studio, La Moulade appeals to your visual senses with stunning transitions, simple sound effects, vibrant colors, and a unique portfolio presentation.

Airpure

Who said car fresheners need to have a simple, boring design and scent? The enticing and constantly-changing concepts from Airpure certainly disagree. Using candy-bright hues and comic-book animations, this website presents your favorite sweet treats re-imagined into equally sweet car fresheners.

One Dollar Lesson

22 Best Long Scroll Websites 3

An informative presentation from Kaspersky Lab, One Dollar Lesson offers statistics regarding the threats surrounding online shopping and payments. The website utilizes 3D models, ambient sounds, and gorgeous animations.

88 & 90 Lexington Avenue

This website promotes Grammercy condo units between two distinct yet inseparable buildings. Using cool color schemes and pairing it with fun illustrations and alluring photos from the buildings themselves and the neighborhood, 88 & 90 Lex creates a casual but professional online platform.

Readymag

The R/m Design School offers educational projects that focus on different elements of graphic design. At the moment, the site features font pairing—showcasing the best pairs of typefaces spread on a minimalist layout.

Chapter 3

Professional cyclist clothing can be quite dull with their mostly monotone colors and assortment of brand advertisements. With the hopes of creating a better and more stylish choice for cyclists, Chapter 3 was born. Made by Castelli, this clothing line and its website illustrate high quality while maintaining subtlety.

Eginstill

Every room in our homes are important, but the kitchen and dining areas hold a special place in our hearts since they’re where the family gathers and bonds. With its classy website and eloquent taste, Eginstill promises to make your kitchen as special and unique a space as it ought to be.

For Better Coffee

Believe it or not, there’s a formula behind a perfect cup of coffee–one that entices you with its sweet aroma and keeps you energized with its strong taste. The five simple but effective tips For Better Coffee by Freese Coffee Co. reveals how to create that perfect cup.

Sergey Mahkno

Using a minimalist design and striking animations, Sergey Mahkno lets visitors focus on what really matters—the exquisite architectural designs the team has conceived, a good number of which landed them with awards.

As we can see, long page scrolling designs can work well for communicating your story. With careful planning and execution, it can drive engagement, increase brand value and bring your audience closer toward your main goal – be it a form submission, buying a product, or shifting their current mindset. What do you guys think? Have you visited a long page scroll design lately that fits the bill?

2 November 2015

Featured Designer: Purveyor of Animation Oliver Sin

Today’s featured designer is Oliver Sin, an English gentleman who specializes in fun animations that scream “awwwhhh-some!”

What do you get when you loop some slick illustrations in to one animation? Yep, an explosion of pure awesomeness, that’s what!

Don’t be fooled, though, while Oliver utilizes simple and dainty characters, a closer look will show you that they are created by a top-notch artisan. The subtle and fluid motions of even the smallest elements can only be achieved with inherent talent and through years of experience.

Truly, Oliver and his art display the characteristics of a master. So head on over and visit Oliver’s Dribble page to see more of his marvelous animations.

Featured Designer: Purveyor of Animation Oliver Sin