Introduction

Creating a custom theme in Rock RMS is more than just a cosmetic change; it's about enhancing functionality and tailoring the user experience to meet your organization's needs. Themes dictate how content is displayed and how users interact with your site. This guide will walk you through building a theme from scratch, using the "Stargate" theme as a starting point.

"Stargate" serves as a solid foundation, offering a base to customize and expand. It allows you to focus on creative development while ensuring essential elements are in place. From setup to advanced modifications, this guide provides a step-by-step approach to crafting a theme that's both visually appealing and functional across all platforms.

By following this guide, you'll transform your ideas into a well-executed theme, perfect for addressing the needs of a growing organization or enhancing the user experience for a broader audience.

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When to Use a New Theme

1. Distinct Branding and Identity

• New Campus: Launching a new campus? A new theme helps visually differentiate it with a unique identity.
• Capital Campaign: Highlight specific campaign messaging, imagery, and calls to action with a new theme.

2. Unique Functional Requirements

• New URL: Creating a new URL for a different purpose or audience? A new theme may be needed for unique layouts and features.

3. Enhanced User Experience

• New Initiatives: Improve navigation and user interaction with a fresh theme tailored to new features or initiatives.

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Evaluating the Need for a New Theme

• Audience Analysis: Assess if the target audience's needs differ from your current theme’s capabilities.
• Content and Functionality: Determine if the existing theme supports new content types and functionalities.
• Brand Alignment: Ensure the new theme aligns with branding and messaging for consistency.

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INFO

Deep Dive:
Rock RMS Community Docs
More on Themes

WARNING

Questions:

• What is the current state of things?
• What are the next steps?
• What are reasonable expectations?
• Is there a better way to start?

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