When the term “Premium” (in relation to WordPress themes) was first coined about a year ago, it actually meant something. Premium theme designers set a new standard for WordPress, taking the platform to an entirely new level. Think about it… before “premium” themes hit the market, WordPress was still considered (for the most part) simply a “blogging platform”. Since that time, WordPress has expanded and taken on an entirely new market. Businesses and individuals alike are using WordPress along with some of the better premium themes available to build some truly amazing and dynamic websites. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t give all the credit to premium theme designers, as WordPress has grown by leaps and bounds over the last year, but I feel that “we” have definitely had an impact on how the platform is currently perceived.

However, the problem is that currently there are so many people just trying to make a quick dime by attaching the word “premium” to any theme they slap together that it’s creating a bad name for WordPress and the premium theme market all together. Also, it’s no secret that the powers that be at WordPress (Matt, Toni, etc.) don’t really care for the “Premium” theme model as is currently stands since we have not aligned with their open source model. For these, and several other reasons… it is time for a change, and now is that time.

As mentioned in several previous posts, I had the chance to meet premium theme designer Brian Gardner at WordCamp 2008 in San Francisco. We have been talking ever since, and a little more than two weeks ago, we came to an agreement which entails working together on the “next big thing”. As of today, that “next big thing” has been announced after several discussions, planning and even meeting with Matt and Toni earlier this week. Brian Gardner is arguably “the guy” who started this whole Premium Theme craze, and we are both ready to take the concept to an entirely new level. As of November 1st 2008, I will be joining the “new” Revolution which will be Open Source and truly aligned with the GPL License.

If you are interested to read more about what will be taking place over the next month, head over to BriandGardner.com to read the entire announcement…

This has been an interesting Monday to say the least. As mentioned in a previous post, I have been talking with Brian Gardner about some potential collaborative projects, and as of today we are a little closer to announcing what we have been talking about the last few weeks. Brian and I both flew out to San Francisco today to meet with Matt Mullenweg and and Toni Schneider from WordPress to discuss several things which I can’t say much about at this time. Whatever the outcome, it was worth the trip just to sit in the same room with Matt and Toni speaking openly and candidly about WordPress.

The last few months of my professional time have been spent designing and working almost exclusively with WordPress which has allowed me to really diversify and learn even more about this wonderful platform. It’s amazing to me how many people in my field of work still think of WordPress as simply a “blogging platform”. Seriously, when I tell people I work with WordPress, the typical response is… “isn’t that for blogs or something?”. Then I show them some of the work that has been done over the last year, and almost instantly their tune changes from “no interest what-so-ever” to “full and undivided attention”.

I have found the the possibilities with WordPress are almost endless if you are creative enough, and I plan on sharing much of what I have learned here on WPelements.com in the near future. In fact, I am currently working on a complete and total re-design of WPelements.com from top to bottom, which when finished will be better suited for sharing information about my work with WordPress. Of course (as always), once I am finished with the re-design, I will release my current WPelements.com theme for free.

Also, several new projects have been keeping me busy including a few new plugins such as an “Instant View” plugin based on the “Instant View” feature found within my “VideoFlick” theme, which many users have been asking for. Aside from new plugins, I have also been busy working on several concepts for my next line of WordPress theme’s (premium and free) to be released on Press75.com and WPelements.com. The screenshot below is a teaser for a theme that I initially intended to be a follow up for the popular “Massive News” theme, but I am thinking at this point it might actually get a name of it’s own (we will see).

Lastly, I have to mention how glad I am that I decided to head down (last minute) to WordCamp 2008 in San Francisco this year. I actually had the chance to meet several people while attending the session including none other than Brian Gardner from RevolutionTheme.com. Brian and I got to talking at WordCamp, and I have since traveled to Chicago and back to discuss some potential new collaborative projects. Hopefully I will be able to expand on all of this very soon. Until then, enjoy the teaser screenshot for my next theme below.

In anticipation of several great new theme and plugin releases (Premium and Free) within the next few months, I wanted to offer all four of my current Premium Video WordPress themes at a very special and limited price. This package includes UNLIMITED developer licenses for VideoFlick, VideoElements, the ever so popular TV.Elements theme and the all new On Demand theme for a very low price of $295.00 (an $850.00 value). This offer is valid for 5 days ONLY and is being offered exclusively through WPelements.com. For more information about all four themes, head over to my theme store at Press75.com. Or if you are ready to buy, simply hit the buy button below.

Press75.com Unlimited Theme Package ($295.00)

This developer license gives you unlimited access to all themes. You can use these themes for any website, and you may remove all copyright information.

Since the release of my popular TV.Elements theme back in May, I have received numerous emails asking how to integrate standard blog (non-video) posts, how to customize the theme with a “lighter” (non-dark) style, along with several other requests. Well… now you can have it all. Version 2.0 of the TV.Elements theme integrates standard blog posting functionality and includes dark and light color schemes in one single package, among several other small updates. Really the best way to experience all the new features is to check out the new demo at the link below. Current users should have already been notified via email with instruction on how to download the new theme. New users can head over to Press75.com to purchase TV.Elements v2.0 as well as my other premium themes.

Press75.com/demos/TVelements/