Brian Gardner

I’m excited to share that I’ve moved into a new role: Head of Community at @WPEngine. I’ll work alongside our customers, agency partners, and the greater WordPress community—leading strategic initiatives, supporting industry events, and pursuing sponsorship opportunities. ⬇️

@kelleymuro True story. And I predict not only will I be signing up for the Agency plan at @bymilesai, scores of others will as well.

The fastest way to close a web design client right now. Build their site before the sales call. AI makes this possible. Most freelancers are still sending proposals.

@mikemcalister Affirmative, starfighter. 🌌

Check out this concept where we're bringing WordPress block editor styles right to your cursor and cutting down on context switching and settings hunting. What do you think? Is this something we should release?

@carolinecwilder @ryancduff Less is more. Unless it’s espresso. —a fellow designer

@bgardner @ryancduff 😲 iykyk

I hope you guys are taking notes! 📝

@carolinecwilder @ryancduff I fall into neither category, but here for these: · Fewer, Better Things · Espresso Before Emails

@ryancduff Either no one will see this or the replies will be full of reeeeee

@stevejonesdev @monroeandco @heyamberhinds @Will_Patton_88 When I checked last night, the most recent 3 all failed. I'd be willing to bet across the board we’re somewhere between 25-50% that fail. Most miserably.

@bgardner @monroeandco @heyamberhinds @Will_Patton_88 Yes. To get the accessibility ready tag they should pass AA color contrast. I wonder if we should start scanning theme demos and tracking this metric. 🤔

Not much is going to beat this as far as thrilling moments as a #WordPress plugin developer. 🌟

@stevejonesdev @monroeandco @heyamberhinds @Will_Patton_88 Additionally, if we can get the theme directory to suggest that authors submit designs with color contrast ratios significantly greater than 2.7:1, we’d be making real progress!

@monroeandco @heyamberhinds @Will_Patton_88 I second this motion!

@heyamberhinds @stevejonesdev @Will_Patton_88 Well deserved, and much needed. Congrats! 😊

@mikemcalister @ulverist @patrickposner_

@bgardner @ulverist @patrickposner_ Ohhh yeah, we’re about to go ape in Q2 and Q3.

I’ve been pretty critical of the design coming out of the WordPress community over the years. But recent work from @apeatling, @mikemcalister, and @famousish gives me hope.

@ulverist @apeatling @mikemcalister @famousish @BuildWithOllie I have zero doubts about continuing to be impressed by @mikemcalister and @patrickposner_. ZERO.

@bgardner @apeatling @mikemcalister @famousish @BuildWithOllie Yes and is a nice work, hopefully Ollie continues to impress us on this WP mess

@learnwithmattc @apeatling @mikemcalister @famousish @Fueled @humanmadeltd How about @Press__Conf? Justin Livesay (@fueled), @mikemcalister, you, and I will all be there.

@bgardner @apeatling @mikemcalister @famousish Both @Fueled and @humanmadeltd are producing beautiful sites with FSE setups. It would be really productive to get all those folks in a room and talk about how to make WP FSE stronger from a design foundations perspective. I'd love to help coordinate if folks are interested

@ulverist @apeatling @mikemcalister @famousish Have you seen this from @BuildWithOllie? olliewp.com/ollie-for-wooc…

@bgardner @apeatling @mikemcalister @famousish Needs much improvement yet, specially WooCommerce, ready-made block based patterns, templates - we need to compete with Shopify, we are far behind

@CoenJacobs The quote came from this interview, which is a great read: thegreatdiscontent.com/interview/ruth…

@bgardner I actually did not hear that quote before, but... yes! 🫶

Feels like an appropriate time to share one of my favorite quotes: “All of us are longing for connection and authenticity, and what we believe will repel people does the exact opposite.” —Ruthie Lindsey

Chatting with AI sometimes feels like customer service. “Hi, yes — can I be transferred to the agent I had last night?”

@briancoords @nickmdiego @justintadlock @bph @juanmaguitar @ryanwelcher @jon_bossenger @automattic I think you have him covered. 😉

@nickmdiego @justintadlock @bph @juanmaguitar @ryanwelcher @jon_bossenger @automattic Nick, they gave me your room at the meetup, so anything I should do to fill your shoes (other than have impeccable taste and be a generally good dude)?

Costa Rica bound to meet up with @bph, @juanmaguitar, @ryanwelcher, @jon_bossenger, and @briancoords. @automattic DevRels getting together is always a good time.

@learnwithmattc Thank you for posting this. 🙏 Really (like really) looking forward to seeing you next month.

This applies to everyone in the WP product space.

@apeatling 😊

There are some really good people in the WordPress community. Thankful for each and every one of you. And you know who you are. 🫶

@kevclarkco You’re welcome. It was much needed break for me!

@bgardner A breath of fresh air to see this in my timeline. A much needed reminder of what’s important. Thank you Brian 🙏

Wellness days. Time with people you love. Exploring new places. That’s what matters. 😊