A lot of WordPress themes still remind me of 2015: Material Design, big hero images and the same layouts everywhere. I want to see more of what designers can do with the web now.

The Comfort Zone Trap

What bothers me is this: WordPress themes are stuck in 2015 because we’ve prioritized playing it safe over pushing boundaries.

Themes promise to work with every plugin, old browser and shared host. Those requirements can leave little room to try a different design.

We’re so focused on not breaking anything that we discourage people from trying something different.

Why We Got Here (And Why It Made Sense)

There are reasons to be cautious:

  • Accessibility matters: Sites need to work for everyone
  • Client expectations: Many users just want something that works without surprises
  • The plugin maze: With 60,000+ plugins, compatibility is complex
  • Budget constraints: Not everyone can afford custom development

But somewhere along the way, we confused “accessible” with “boring” and “compatible” with “compromised.”

What other sites are doing

While WordPress themes were perfecting the art of the safe choice, the web exploded with:

  • Micro-interactions that make interfaces feel alive
  • Variable fonts that adapt and respond to user context
  • CSS Grid and modern layouts that allow less boxy layouts
  • WebGL and Three.js bringing 3D experiences to browsers
  • Dark mode with colors chosen for dark backgrounds
  • Motion design that helps people use the site
  • AI-enhanced experiences that work smoothly

Visit any modern SaaS landing page, portfolio site, or web app, and then visit a typical WordPress site. The difference is jarring. It’s like comparing a Tesla to a horse and buggy, sure, they both get you there, but the experience is worlds apart.

We can do both

We’ve been told we have to choose: either build something cutting-edge OR build something that works with WordPress. But what if that’s a false choice?

What if we could have themes that:

  • Push creative boundaries while maintaining solid foundations
  • Embrace modern web technologies without abandoning accessibility
  • Feel fresh and exciting while still being practical for real projects
  • Make designers excited and developers proud

What we’re building

At Iconick, we’re betting on a different future for WordPress themes, one where creativity and compatibility coexist, where pushing boundaries doesn’t mean pushing users away.

We’re building themes that ask “what if?” instead of “what’s safe?”

  • What if your WordPress site could feel as dynamic as a modern web app?
  • What if themes came with interactions that made visitors stop and explore?
  • What if we stopped treating WordPress like it’s still 2015?

Try it

I want the next generation of themes to keep what works and give designers more room to experiment.

We’re done with themes that feel like they’re checking boxes. We’re building themes that feel like they’re breaking barriers.

The future of WordPress doesn’t have to look like its past. We’re already working on it.

You can see what we’re building at Iconick.