In WordPress 3.0 we introduced some new tabs to the Themes section to allow users to switch between managing their existing themes, and searching for new ones on the WordPress.org theme repository. This has always been an experimental feature, and it hasn't been perfect from the start, so we'd like to improve them. You can see the tabs by going to Appearance > Themes. Here are some problems with the current tabs:

• They're way too big
• The alignment is off between the tabs, the main icon, and the menus
• They don't feel consistent with the WordPress UI

Things to watch out for:

• We don't want to turn the tabs into sub-navigation, eg. http://cl.ly/3N5i or http://cl.ly/30a4940450efc645e282

The deliverable for this task is a complete (and neatly organised please!) graphics file containing two different completed mockups, showing two different ideas for how these tabs could be better implemented - be as creative as you like within the guidelines. You can use any graphics application, however we would prefer PSD if possible. When saving files please export with compatibility for 2 versions earlier than the latest version of the program. For example if you are using Photoshop, the latest version is CS5, so please save the file with CS3 compatibility.

Along with your mockup, please provide a detailed set of notes which describe your work in detail. Explain any specific parts of your design which are important, or any specific user interactions which you think are fundamental to how people would use your design. The more you can explain why you made specific design decision, and what you based those decisions on, the better.

This task includes 1 set of revisions, which are crucial to passing the task. Once you have submitted the inital mockup to us on the GCI blog (link to follow) - we will give you feedback and suggested revisions. Remember that we are working all over the world in different timezones, so leave plenty of time to receive feedback and act upon it before the end of your task. As a rule of thumb it would be good to get your initial mockup in for review within 1 day of starting.

Here's the related ticket associated with this task, which has the original brief, discussion and issues highlighted.

Before you get started (or even claim this task), please read through the GCI Student Information for UI based tasks.