Hannes application for a Senior Theme designer role at a8c
Howdy, Automattic!
Hey A12s, welcome to my Portfolio! I’m a passionate designer who has specialized on WordPress block themes. The role as Senior Theme designer fits me like a glove and I would love to work with and for you!
Explore below my selection of projects – I hope you like what you see!
This theme is of course open source · Message in me in Slack
I’m Hannes, a self-employed web designer. I’ve been building websites since my early teens and web design has been a passion of mine ever since. It’s what led me to study design in both Germany and England and ultimately become a freelancer. Along the way, I also worked as a project manager in international automotive design agencies, collaborating with multinational teams and establishing remote workflows in companies that hadn’t worked remotely before.
I deeply believe in the core values of WordPress and Automattic (a free and open web) and I’m convinced that the future of WordPress and the web lies in the block editor.
I’m proficient in both high- and low-fidelity design using Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, HTML, CSS, SCSS, and WordPress block theme development with theme.json, wp-scripts, git, block style variations, et cetera. I’m fluent in German and English.
Greetings from Berlin (this is where I am right now, traveling through Europe.)
Hannes
How to reach me
Feel free to message me in the Making WordPress Slack, by email at HannesLeismann@gmail.com, by phone at +4915775275367 or through any other channel:
I now have a different hairstyle though.
Latest projects
Bittner+Krull
2024/25 – Block theme design & development
Bittner+Krull is a medium-sized company and a leading provider of products for energy industry processes in the German-speaking region. The website was completely redesigned, and a unique style was developed that clearly sets it apart from other providers. Instead of relying on stereotypical stock photos, an authentic design was created that highlights the company’s identity.
The project included the development of a custom, highly performant WordPress block theme, utilizing all core blocks. Existing content was transferred into the new design, with a strong focus on accessibility.
The project was mostly done remotely. Personal meetings in Seville and Munich strengthened the trusting collaboration and contributed to a successful and friendly project completion.
- Remote & in person
- Responsible for web design and block theme development
- Exclusive use of core blocks
- Responsive design through CSS helper classes
- Clear use of git releases and deployment via Github Actions
- Use of wp-scripts and block bindings
Sportland Erlangen
2025 – Block theme development
I was hired to by Jung & Banse to support block theme development. While the design was delivered by the designers from Sportland, I got the chance to push my limits for block theme development.
The website has three different subpages (black for the landing page and jobs, orange for bowling and green for their bar). Each got their own page templates and headers and within are different sections which are styled be utilising Section Styles with JSON.
The theme is a fully built with core and Greyd blocks. Intrinsic design methodology was embraced and, when needed, responsive design was handled via specific utility classes.
Animations are implemented with GSAP and git releases were used for structured version control
- Remote project
- Fully in charge of block theme development (design was delivered by the client)
- Extensive use of section styles with JSON
- Responsive design through CSS helper classes
- Animations with GSAP
- Use of wp-scripts
- Ticker block in the header for rotating announcements
Mellins
2024 – Woo shop relaunch
In summer 2024, I spent two months in Sweden supporting the Mellin family with their WooCommerce online shop.
We carried out a complete redesign, and I took a deep dive into the plugin landscape and server configuration, gaining valuable insights into the day-to-day operations of a live WooCommerce store.
The theme was switched to Woodmart, and I implemented numerous custom CSS and JavaScript optimizations to improve performance and user experience.
This project significantly deepened my expertise in WooCommerce, product management, server infrastructure, performance tuning, and conversion-focused web design.
- Complete Redesign
- WooCommerce Theme Migration (Woodmart)
- Custom CSS & JavaScript Optimizations
- Plugin & Server Architecture Review
- Performance Optimization
- Use of wp-scripts
- Conversion-Oriented Design Adjustments
Corporate Identities & Block themes
linktec engineering
2023 – Corporate Identity + block theme design & development
linktec engineering, an owner-managed mechanical engineering company established in 2001, needed a new website that is clearly structured and fast-loading. It had to provide potential clients with quick and easy access to relevant information on any device (e.g., at trade fairs). The design was based on the existing corporate identity.
The new website stands out through a strategically deliberate reduction and clarity in the product range, without compromising on design. Friendly animations create a pleasant, modern look.
The site was optimized for search engines to achieve loading times of just a few milliseconds. As a result, it scores a perfect 100 / 100 in the Google website test!
- Custom WordPress Theme
- Fast Loading Times thanks to Fast Super Cache
- Optimized for Search Engines
- Modern Animations with Animation for Blocks
- Including a template for the english version
ikonda GmbH
2024 – Corporate Identity + block theme design & development
ikonda is a young mechanical engineering company based near Darmstadt. With the goal of establishing a solid foundation, positioning itself as a trustworthy business, and distinguishing itself from freelance work, we developed a complete corporate identity that aligns with the industry, values, and character of the company.
The one pager website is designed with core blocks only for performance and search engine optimization. It clearly presents the services offered and gives potential new employees insight into the company.
- Corporate Identity Design
- Logo Design
- Business Stationery
- Custom WordPress Theme
- Support with Web Content
- Optimized for Search Engines
cyclab
2024 – Corporate Identity + block theme design & development
Cyclab, a newly founded bike fitting service in Vienna, aimed to immediately position itself as a first-class, professional provider.
There was no existing brand, logo, or corporate identity to reflect the unique offering and level of professionalism.
Development of a fresh brand, a dynamic logo, a compelling website, and a coherent corporate identity.
Creation of a visual identity that captures the excitement and progress in cycling and triathlon, while emphasizing Cyclab’s reliability and professionalism.
Positioning Cyclab as a premium bike fitting service in Vienna.
- Corporate Identity Design
- Logo Design
- Custom WordPress Theme
- Optimized for Search Engines
- Including cal.com Online Booking Tool
Alica Lathe
2022/23 – Corporate Identity + block theme design & development
Alica Lathe, an experienced yoga teacher, envisioned specializing in mentoring certified yoga instructors.
This project was carried out strategically and thoughtfully through workshops to define the ideal positioning. We clearly defined the brand strategy, and I developed a complete corporate identity, a new logo, and a consistent online presence for both social media and the website.
Additionally, a sub-brand was created for the Chakra workshop series.
The design embodies natural harmony, trust, authenticity, and a sense of safety; perfectly aligned with the target audience, industry, and Alica’s personality.
The website presents all services clearly and beautifully.
In this project I’ve created my very first block theme.
- Brand Strategy & Consulting
- Corporate Identity Design
- Custom WordPress Theme
- Social Media Design
- Logo Design
- Workshops
Experiments and Work in Progress
Agency Theme
Work in Progress!
Together with two friends we’re trying to position ourself as a design agency for which I created a custom block theme. It has some hover effects and layouts that fit to the nature of a marketing and design agency website.
ProLooks Figma & Theme
Work in Progress!
ProLooks is a Figma UI Kit that is specifically created for block themes. It utilizes Figma variables that are in the same structure as the theme.json. The goal is to create a boilerplate for designers and bridge the gap to block themes.
Windows XP Block Theme
Work in Progress!
Just a fun project I started in my free time to experiment with create-block.
I would love to work with you!
Hey Automattic – I’m looking forward to hearing from you. If there’s anything I can do for you or you want to know, just drop me a line in Slack, by email at HannesLeismann@gmail.com, by phone at +4915775275367 or through any other channel: