While subthemes of core and contributed themes are convenient and efficient in modifying and reusing elements of their base themes, circumstances often require a completely unique approach specific to our site. Custom themes are the solution for websites that demand a fresh look, use complex layouts, or require such intricate fine tuning that it would be prudent to start with a clean slate.
Custom themes are the equivalent of handcrafted pieces of art, as the themer controls every piece of the puzzle from a design or implementational point of view. This includes setting up the theme using .info
files, choosing the layout, implementing it in a page template, adding regions, styling nodes using node templates, blocks using block templates, and so on. But over time, developers have identified a list of common tasks, characteristic layouts, and file and folder hierarchies that are logical, efficient, and promote reuse. This has evolved into what have been dubbed starter themes themes...