Have you ever had the idea that things in live are no longer evolving? We are not yet in a constant state of a revolution, but more and more stuff around us is definitely snowballing.
Last Monday, I wrote the post Comparing Plans & Pricings of WordPress Theme Frameworks, where I compare eleven theme frameworks that I might want to try. My ultimate goal is to find a framework that makes it easy for me – as a non-geek – to create a WordPress website from scratch. Well, that list is no longer complete.
Yesterday, a new WordPress Theme Framework has emerged; Dynamik Website Builder for Genesis. The Dynamik Theme has been developed by the creators of the Catalyst WordPress Framework – which by the way is included in the earlier mentioned eleven frameworks.
Basically, Dynamik Website Builder is a Genesis child theme incorporating a lot of development controls from the Catalyst framework. So what is it now? Is it a framework or is it a child theme?
Although it has been build upon the Genesis Framework, I think we call Dynamik a framework too.
Upon activation, the front-end looks very much like the Blank child theme that comes with the Genesis Framework. This child theme is suitable for a clean blog, maybe for a minimalist online magazine, but definitely not for a business or a portfolio website.
However, it is possible to build any kind of website with the Dynamik Website Builder. Hence, Dynamik is much more versatile than a child theme usually is.
(click to enlarge)
Let us also take into account that the Dynamik Website Builder extends the Genesis Theme Options Panel with three pages:
- Dynamik Settings
- Dynamik Design
- Dynamik Custom
Those of you who have ever seen the back-end of the Catalyst Theme Framework will probably notice the similarities between the Dynamik Theme Settings page and the Catalyst Core Options page. Again signs that the Dynamik Website Builder is not just an ordinary child theme.
In addition, the 800 No-Coding Design Options injected from the Catalyst framework into the Dynamik Website Builder make it a very powerful, yet easy to use, web creation tool. A design tool suitable for peeps like me, who are looking for means to create websites from scratch – without (much) coding.
So despite the blur, I think we can consider the Dynamik Website Builder a WordPress Theme Framework. This also implies that I will add it to my list of WordPress Theme Frameworks that I want to try.
Consequently, I will update the post from last Monday; I will add Dynamik to the framework table, and I will include some brief specifics about the Dynamik Website Builder as well.
In case you cannot wait for my upcoming review, jump over to the Dynamik Theme website. You might want to start with this announcement on the blog.
Please keep in mind that you will need the Genesis Framework in order to work with Dynamik. The Genesis Framework is packed with a Blank child theme, ready to roll.
Jason Hobbs says
June 30, 2012 at 16:42Thanks for taking the time to look at the Dynamik Website Builder!
I’ve recently teamed with Eric on Catalyst and DWB’s marketing (full disclosure) and we get really excited seeing it in the hands of its target market, end users who are not coders.
It was built to empower me and you to take control of our websites. Not just the initial build of a website but the management of the site going forward. Which is why I love the easy peasy custom widget areas, content areas, and custom conditionals that DWB offers.
Thanks again and I am heading over to check out your Comparing Plans & Pricings of WordPress Theme Frameworks post!
Jason Hobbs
Wil says
June 30, 2012 at 16:58Welcome to wilwebs.com, Jason. Great to have you here. Today, I have explored the Dynamik Website Builder only briefly, but this first encounter did convince me that I need to include it in my quest for a powerful and easy-to-use WordPress Theme Framework. Good luck, with the DWB! – Wil
Eric Hamm says
June 30, 2012 at 21:57Hey Wil,
Thanks for taking the time to put Dynamik through its paces and sharing your thoughts. Great writeup and hopefully a useful resource to those searching the web for opinions on our product. 🙂
Eric
Wil says
July 1, 2012 at 06:58Hi Eric,
Thanks for dropping by! I am glad you appreciate the notes up on my first impressions. Since I am a Genesis fan – and like what I have seen of the Dynamik Website Builder yesterday – I am definitely looking forward to a more thorough review. It will be my pleasure to keep you posted.
Take care! – Wil
Ben Pyman says
July 1, 2012 at 16:03Great to read your review Wil!
I’m a well seasoned Catalyst website developer, and have been playing with Dyanmik for Genesis properly for a few weeks now. For the amazing design flexibility it offers, considering it a Theme Framework in it’s own right makes a lot of sense. It’s kind of like a bolt-on builder for Genesis. In a sense it provides a lot of the tools one might consider ‘missing’ In Genesis. Genesis users will finally get a glimpse of what makes the Catalyst fans so proud, loud and loyal. Keep your eye out for a whole lot of Dynamik for Genesis sites going live really soon!
Ben
Wil says
July 2, 2012 at 19:15Hi Ben,
Thanks for the heads up. It is good to hear that you are so enthusiastic about Catalyst, among others because Catalyst is also on my list of frameworks that I want to try. Of course, it would be great – for Catalyst as well as for Genesis – to see a market wide acceptance of Dynamik. By all means, keeps us posted over here at wilwebs.com.
Wil
Jeff Kemp says
August 24, 2012 at 20:15Hi. I’m an web designer building sites mostly with Genesis. Came across Dynamik Website Builder today and will buy (either DWB for Genesis or Catalyst).
Tried WooTheme’s Canvas this week, but it fell short in the hooks area (no PHP, no conditionals, not enough hooks).
DWB for Genesis looks to be what I had hoped the Prose Genesis child theme would be, but ended up being very disappointed.
I think there’s a real possibility of using DWB as my lead theme/framework going forward. Or maybe even Catalyst.
~Jeff
Wil says
August 24, 2012 at 20:54Hi Jeff, welcome. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Today, I have posted a review on Catalyst. It is really a great framework, supports child themes, and with plenty of hooks.
Mid next week, I will post the review on the Dynamik Website Builder. As far I can judge at this moment, DWB = Catatalyst rebuild on Genesis. Since you are already a seasoned Genesis developer, and probably have a license of the Genesis Framework, DWB would be the obvious choice I guess.
Whether you choose for DWB or Catalyst, the learning curve will be about the same – short.
Take care – Wil