Better Gradient Presets in the WordPress Block Editor

Posted on Updated by Rich Tabor

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, gradients are here to stay. Especially now, as the WordPress block editor has a default mechanism to apply gradient styles throughout the editing experience.

Out of the box, I don’t find the default gradient application experience particularly meaningful, as these presets are an assortment of trendy gradient styles presets. But with some finesse, block editor gradients could be much more purposeful by using the editor’s color palette instead.

Let’s dive in and explore how its done.

How to Build Block Patterns for the WordPress Block Editor

Posted on Updated by Rich Tabor

If you’re a theme or plugin developer in the page building ecosystem, now is a better time than ever to start capitalizing on arguably the most exciting addition to Gutenberg, since Gutenberg: Block Patterns.

Let’s dive in and discover how to leverage the new Block Patterns API and build beautiful patterns.

Explore a website’s Gutenberg blocks with Detective Wapuu

Posted on Updated by Rich Tabor

Ever glanced at a website and wondered if it was built with Gutenberg blocks?

If so, you’re in luck. Nick Hamze, a prolific block builder connoisseur, has launched a new Chrome extension aimed at helping folks detect what blocks are being used on a website. And it’s just about as ingenious as it’s name: Detective Wapuu

Installable as a free Chrome extension, Detective Wapuu cleverly scans the webpage you are currently on, highlighting any blocks added to the page.

Gutenberg Block Patterns: The Future of Page Building in WordPress

Posted on Updated by Rich Tabor

While the block editor absolutely leveled-up the WordPress publishing experience, building beautiful web pages is still quite a challenge.

It’s like we’re handing folks the International Space Station LEGO set — without any sort of help to build it. Sure, the cleverest master builders will likely figure it out, but what about everyone else — the other 99%? Now if that set came with four or five assembled “chunks” of the ISS, completing the build would be much simpler. Maybe even simple enough for that 99%… 

Enter Gutenberg block patterns: thoughtful arrangements of blocks that deliver entire sections of a page, with just a single click.

2019 Year in Review

Posted on Updated by Rich Tabor

As we cross into this next decade, I can’t help but to look back with excitement on this last year in particular. My career took a rather unexpected — yet incredible — turn.

Most notably, I sold both CoBlocks and ThemeBeans, joined GoDaddy as a Product Manager of WordPress Experience, attended WordCamp Europe for the first time, led the release of the revolutionary Go WordPress theme, and gave a block building workshop at WordCamp US (watch Part 1 and Part 2).

2019 has been a wild ride to say to least. Wild, and incredibly enjoyable. And you know what, I couldn’t have asked for a more rewarding year.