The document outlines a presentation by Adam Soucie aimed at beginners in WordPress, using LEGO master builder techniques as a metaphor for web development. It describes seven foundational techniques such as locking, size scaling, and balance, with applications to WordPress design principles. The talk seeks to provide a fresh perspective on building websites rather than instructing on coding or advanced development.

1. BrickPress
Explaining WordPress Using
LEGO Master Builder Techniques
Adam Soucie

2. • Freelance WordPress
developer
• “Self taught”
• Loves to build LEGO with my
4-year old daughter
A little about me
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

3. What this talk is NOT
• Aimed at advanced developers
• Specific to plugins or theme development
• A “How To” do anything in particular
• Will not teach you code
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

4. What this talk IS
• For relative beginners
• A different way to look at WordPress and
web development in general
• Awesome.
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

5. • Set of principles and
techniques used by LEGO
• Foundation for how official
sets are built
• Available in a series of sets
called the Master Builder
Academy
Master Builder Techniques
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

6. 7 Techniques
1. Locking
2. Sideways Building
3. Size Scaling
4. Small Elements
5. Balance
6. Details
7. Alternate Uses
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

7. • The process of joining two or
more bricks with one that lies
across either on top,
underneath, or both
• Makes your elements more
stable
Technique #1: Locking
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

8. • Using “clearfix” to contain
floated elements
• Wrapping partner elements in
a container <div>
Applying to WordPress
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

9. • Uses special pieces with studs
on the side
• Allows a model to extend
horizontally or diagonally as
well as vertically
• The basis for the SNOT (Studs
Not On Top) technique
Technique #2: Sideways Building
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

10. • Widget areas
• Most common areas are
sidebars and footers
• Genesis Framework uses
them to create variable home
pages
• Allows functionality to extend
in customized ways
Applying to WordPress
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

11. • Standard model size is
minifigure scaled
• Models at Legoland’s are
Miniland scaled
• Common to find sets that are
miniature scale
Technique #3: Size Scaling
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

12. • Altering text sizes and padding
to account for different devices
• Making buttons and other
clickable areas optimized for
touch screens
Applying to WordPress
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

13. • Combines with size scaling
• Uses small elements (typically
1 stud by 1 stud)
• Mimics larger elements at a
smaller scale
Technique #4: Small Elements
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

14. • Tied to responsive design
• Mobile first design philosophy
• Built-in Column classes
• Flexbox
Applying to WordPress
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

15. • Basic physics
• If something is too heavy on
one side, it will fall over
• Symmetry is your friend
Technique #5: Balance
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

16. • Padding, padding, padding
• Line height
• Balancing sidebar content with
page content
Applying to WordPress
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

17. • Exactly what you’d think
• Helps identify your models
• Spaceships use lasers,
Castle sets use swords
• Translucent bricks help
indicate movement or action
Technique #6: Details
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

18. • Transition states
• Flat vs. Skeuomorphic design
• Using colors to indicate
actions, especially with buttons
Applying to WordPress
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

19. • Very few pieces have just one
use
• A silver frog could also be a
wall sconce
• Use your imagination!
Technique #7: Alternate Uses
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

20. • Creative problem solving
• Chain “get_the_” functions to
access post information
• You access just about
anything with a post ID
Applying to WordPress
@AdamSoucie | adamsoucie.com

21. More Info
Twitter
@AdamSoucie
Blog
adamsoucie.com
Business
impossiblycreative.com
Master Builder Academy
lego.com
brickset.com