Why You Should Be Using JSON Layout Packs and the Divi Library

Why You Should Be Using JSON Layout Packs and the Divi Library
The Divi Library has quickly become one of the most useful tools in designing websites with Divi. Through the Divi Library, users can easily save and export a full web page layout, and later, import the same layout for use in future builds. With this, using the Divi Library to its full capacity allows Divi users to ‘reuse and recycle’ web layouts, thus saving hours of time in both the prototyping and development stages of building websites. Layouts both imported and exported through the Divi Library will be in a .JSON file format.

Using layout packs for the Divi Library is a great resource for new Divi users to tap into. As well as being able to use the layouts in web builds, new users will also gain value in dissecting each module, row, and section, and seeing exactly how each was designed and set up.

Just a quick note; Divi Library Layout packs are not Child Themes.

A child theme inherits its properties (core functioning and styling) from a parent theme (Divi) and runs as a separate entity on the WordPress framework. Using a child theme ensures that no code alterations can be made to the parent theme, and also, that no site edits will be overwritten when the parent theme receives an update. A child theme needs to be installed in the same way as a parent theme (by installing a .zip file via the Appearance console), following the installation of the parent theme. A blank child theme could be used, either scripted through a text editor/IDE or generated by using a blank child theme generator or, an already-designed child theme could be purchased. Using an existing child theme is a great way to develop a website extremely quickly, as all of the aesthetic design and functionality is already crafted, and only a few style tweaks and content population need to be made.

A layout pack consists of a number of pre-styled module, row, section or full-page builds that can be imported into the Divi Library for use throughout a website. For the Divi 2.7 update, Elegant Themes enhanced the import and export function of the Divi Library so that users would be able to port layouts back and forth between web builds. The layout packs act as templates, allowing users to rely on the already-designed form and aesthetic, and simply edit and use elements with ease. Another great aspect of the Divi Library is the fact that images are encoded automatically, so when a new layout is imported the related imagery is synced directly to the WordPress Media Library.

In counting down to the Divi 3.0 update, Elegant Themes have been releasing daily blog posts jam-packed with valuable resources, including tutorials and interviews. Also within the 100 Days of Divi marathon, ET have released a series of pre-styled layouts specifically for the Divi Library. These beautifully designed layout packs; including footers, testimonial sections, FAQ sections, blog posts and full landing page layouts; can be imported into your Divi Library at the click of a button, and will be ready to edit, use and use instantly.

For a detailed explanation of using the Divi Library’s Portability feature, watch the Elegant Themes video below or read our blog post for a step-by-step tutorial.

The Divi Demo Zone by Aspen Grove Studios includes over 20 pre-styled Divi layouts. Fifteen of these layouts have been created with pixel-perfect precision to replicate the Divi demo examples used by Elegant Themes to promote the versatility of the Divi theme and Builder. Through the Divi Demo Zone, users are allowed to gain access to the back-end of a page build, and seeing exactly how each page (module, row, section) was set up and styled with the Divi Builder.
Initially, the Divi Demo Zone only offered access to the builder interface and the demo page itself (back-end access with front-end view), but after the Divi 2.7 update enhanced the Divi Library’s portability features, the Divi Demo Zone was reengineered to offer all of the demos as downloadable layout packs. With this, each of the demo sites in the Aspen Grove Studios Demo Zone are available (on a ‘name your price’ donation basis) for Divi users to download and import into their Divi sites. The most recent addition to the Divi Demo Zone is a stunning site-wide library pack named Oyster Bay.
 

Interested in the Aspen Grove Studios Divi Demo Zone? Read our blog post for details.

Oyster Bay

Oyster Bay is a clean and uncluttered layout based on the popular SquareSpace template, Montauk. With its minimalistic boxed layout and clever use of white space, Oyster Bay is a great theme for showcasing imagery, and would work well for businesses, artists, creative collectives, galleries, photographers, and bloggers.

As well as the five core pages; Home, About, Artists, Shop, and Contact; Oyster Bay imports with a custom blog post template and Artist showcase pages for you to use. Also, as the header and footer sections are set as Global Modules, any changes you make in these sections will reflect site-wide.

If you’d like to dive into Oyster Bay, head over to the Aspen Grove Studio Shop and either view the Demo Site or purchase Oyster Bay straight away. With a “recommended price”, you’re able to set the amount that you’d like to donate for your purchase of Oyster Bay.

If you don’t already have an account with Aspen Grove Studios, you’ll need to create one.

Once you’ve successfully purchased Oyster Bay, you’ll receive your download link via mail.

Once the download is complete, unzip the .zip file and import the .JSON file into your Divi Library. If you get stuck during this process, watch the Elegant Themes video above or read our blog post tutorial.

OYSTER BAY PREVIEW
Have you used Divi Layout Packs with your Divi Library? If so, how has the Divi Library helped your development process?

If you enjoyed this post, please feel free share your comments or questions below. We’d love to hear about your experiences with using the Divi Library and Layout Packs, as well as your thoughts about Oyster Bay.

Thanks for reading!

Lisa-Robyn Keown

Lisa-Robyn is a qualified copywriter and brand strategist from Cape Town, South Africa.