Olivia Collins || blog & web design

2012-02-18T09:37:00.001-05:00

SHOP IS BACK UP

Leave of Absence

2011-03-18T13:45:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! I'm going to be swamped this weekend and all of next week so I won't be able to take on any more design jobs — or do too much work on current jobs — until Sunday the 27th. Thanks for understanding! xoxo, Olivia.

Portfolio Post: What Are the Chances?

2011-03-07T20:27:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who bought during the sale! It went great and helped pay for (part of) my new MacBook and Photoshop CS5 (no longer shall I flounder in the restrictions of plain ole CS and my 2003 PowerBook!) — every little bit counts. (There is a donate button in the sidebar if you want to contribute a dollar or two to keep Robin up and running... I'm working on a big release of freebies and tutorials for you that will be posted over the weekend!)

Two of the designs I was hired to do, oddly enough, both chose the same kit to do their design with! I love it myself and am totally 100% pleased with both of them. It was tricky making sure they were both very different, but I think I did all right.

And here's one from a little while ago... I loved working with typography on this one, it indulges my inner fontgeek. (The "grace" is actually two different fonts: Organic for the g and Perpetua Tilting {if my memory serves} for the "RACE".)

I have another one I am thrilled to work on just in planning right now, but I'll show you the mockup anyway... I've always loved clouds... Who knows if the lovely lady this is for will like this version of her design, but I sure do...

Everything 50% off in the Shoppe!

2011-02-21T09:24:00.000-05:00

For one week only, everything in the Shoppe — including gift cards — is half price! Hurry up and place your order before this deal runs out.

Portfolio Post

2011-02-12T11:34:00.000-05:00

I've had a few opportunities to test out some new ideas these past couple weeks...

I really wanted to test the concept of a "growing" plant. Wild mustard fit the bill in this case.

Katie is embarking on an amazing mission and it was a pleasure working with her. She bought the Personal Blogger package.

Anna is so patient with me. She runs AG Boutique, which I had a lot of fun with. I was very excited with this design for two reasons... one, the whole words-in-a-frame concept makes me happy, and two, it was my first attempt at a header descending into the sidebar. I love it.

Portfolio Post: Doused in Quiet

2011-02-01T14:57:00.002-05:00

I've recently started appreciating more subtle beauty. Instead of loud colors, why not have an understated — yet incredibly adorable — design? So I tried it out on my personal/photography blog HorseFeathers and this blog right here, and I. am. in love.

Newly Epic

2011-01-29T08:06:00.003-05:00

Okay then. Besides a lovely new look there's been two major changes to Robin Blogs...

1- Check out the newly streamlined ordering process at the Shoppe.

2- This front page will now be for portfolio posts and news only. You can follow the tutorial and freebie blogs separately for maximum control over what you want to see.

Hope you enjoy it!

Portfolio Post

2011-01-22T09:24:00.001-05:00

A.G. Boutique belongs to Anna Gray. It took a long time, but I'm very happy with it. It incorporates a lot of things I've never done before, such as a header in the same area as the posts and a shadow behind the post area. I think this looks very professional in its layout but sweet and girly in its design.

Hayley at Fish Flakes used a gift certificate to purchase the "Personal Blogger" package. But she was very nice and let me basically do what I wanted...

(Can I brag about the header? I'm quite proud of it. Especially the "est. 2009" bit. I thought I was being quite clever. It's all cute and antique-y. Right? Mmkay, done now...)

And finally, Samantha at the Frosted Button (who was very patient in waiting till I had time on my hands, thank you) got a sweet little look to match her adorable Etsy creations.

New in the Shoppe

2011-01-16T17:54:00.001-05:00

The Shoppe has been totally redone, dear readers! Prices are lower, packages have been revamped, and two brand-new packages (below) have been introduced. I highly encourage you to check it out... and also please vote on the new poll.

PS... there may be a new look for Robin Blogs coming soon too. Not too major, just a little brighter and cheerier.

Robin Revamped

2011-01-11T06:07:00.001-05:00

Check out the new features in the menu bar.

And while you're at it, why not click on "DIY" and "free"? They're all nice too.

Nice and organized.

Sigh.

I do love a well-organized blog.

Keep watch: new packages and offers will be coming soon to the shoppe!

Portfolio Post

2010-12-28T10:16:00.000-05:00

Now that the Christmas rush of designs is over (the sale was a huge success; I sold more designs in a week than I usually do in a month!) I can finally sit down and have a little brag time. Phew.

This from the Surprise Package. It's a little soft for my usual style, but I think it works out well with what Lérowen wanted.

Wanda also bought the Mix It Up and Just For You packages for a giveaway, so more will be coming soon.
This design was a challenge for me because the swoopy, fancy style is not something I usually work with. I think works though.

Of course, the new look for Robin. Simple and sweet.

Shhh! Do you guys know what this is? This is a special sneak peak of the new look for HorseFeathers. It will be put up
later today or tomorrow. Shh. It's a secret.

Portfolio Post

2010-12-16T21:52:00.000-05:00

Wow! I have gotten SO many orders for Christmas I can scarcely gather my wits to count them all. Here are three recent ones...

Just a header for Laura Isabelle...

Bella Skye was brave and ordered the Surprise Package. I must say, I am SO happy with her design, I want to hug it and snuggle it. Truly, I do.
Check out that neat sidebar background!

And finally, one for Courtney. I do love a nice Christmas look.

Order yours soon! :)

An Issue of Originality.

2010-12-11T06:59:00.000-05:00

*sigh*

This problem crops up more than I'd like. If it were up to me, we'd all be special and unique in our own way and we'd all have our own expression. Alas, we do not live in what my friends call "my happy place", so there is a certain issue that must be addressed. The issue of similarity.

There have recently been a huge crop of blogs whose names, design, content, sometimes even code have been taken from Robin Blogs. Have you noticed any design blogs with blue backgrounds, floating headers with thick borders, and names similar to "Robin Blogs"? I bet you have, and I have too.

Okay. Before I go any further, I am not a particularly angry person. Not a lot makes me scream relating to Blogger. I can handle spammers and haters. I can handle rudeness. I can handle a lot.

But the one thing that makes me sick to my stomach is lack of originality.

And not even regarding myself. In fact, it bothers me just as much when I see a fellow blogger being copied as it does when I myself find my work strewn across cyberspace.

I usually email or comment on the blogs of these people and (as delicately as I can) try to explain what bothers me and how it effects both of us.

You see, most of these are graphic design blogs. Let's say we have a customer floating around — we'll call him Bob. Bob clicks on two different design blogs. One is Robin Blogs, and one is extremely similar to Robin Blogs. Bob doesn't know who copied who, so what does he do? He closes both windows because he thinks that both blogs are unoriginal, and he doesn't want to work with either designer. It's damaging for both parties.

It makes me feel sick because I really hate having to ask people to change something. It really does. It's an internal struggle for me. If you are one of the people I emailed regarding this issue, I apologize if I came across as rude or mean. I try not to. Truly.

The irony here is that graphic designers, by trade, need to be creative. So if you have a graphic design blog and you copy someone else... what does that say about your skill, honesty beside?

Once upon a time, I was forced to change the whole name of this blog because copycats were so rampant. Of course, that was a fairly naive gesture, as the whole thing happened again. My recent change of design? That was brought on partly by a wish for change, and partly because there was a steady flow of people doing the exact. same. design.

I really can't understand the logic here. I really can't. Is it, Oh, she's pretty successful, if I have her same name and design maybe people will think I'm her? Is it influence, like, Hmmm, how do I name/design this blog, what do I like? Oh, I'll just do that same thing? Or is it something else? I'm at a loss. Please, please, please explain to me what on earth people think when they copy.

But there's only so much that can be a coincidence. Really. I spent an hour Googling "Robin Blogs" before I named this blog to make sure nobody else had the name. I spent even more hours in front of a blank sheet of paper puzzling out design. And it has taken literally years for me to get where I am code-wise. Thus, can you understand why it makes me want to cry when I see all that stolen away in one fell sweep.

I've accepted that some things are beyond my power, that I can't plead with every copycat to change. So this is a plea to everyone who has copied or has been thinking about copying. It is detrimental to both you and I. Please. Don't do it. You'll thank me later, I promise.

Ho Ho Ho — Huge Christmas Sale!

2010-12-08T20:00:00.000-05:00

Santa Claus has come to Robin Blogs and has dropped the prices of everything in the Shoppe! This is a HUGE sale — up to 75% off — but it ends after Christmas so hurry on over...
And take a peek at the new addition of gift certificates. They're on sale too, and would make an awesome holiday gift to a blogging loved one, or an epic prize in a winter giveaway.
Look for the costs in red marked JOLLY PRICES — those are the sales.
Remember: the sale ends December 26, so I'd hurry on over if I were you. ;)
Have a very merry holiday season! Lots of wintery freebies and tutorials coming your way.

Help Make Robin Blogs Better!

2010-12-07T08:44:00.002-05:00

It's quick and it's easy. Just fill out this short form to help me make Robin Blogs better than ever before! Thanks bunches. Your opinions are what keeps Robin Blogs rockin'. :)

No, I'm not going to do free blog makeovers, by the way. So please don't ask, k? ;)

(Very Long) Portfolio Post

2010-11-28T18:17:00.001-05:00

I feel like I've been saving up designs for a portfolio post for weeks. Oh, wait... I have. It's been over a month since my last portfolio post, so here goes nothing.

These two designs were both for my personal blog, HorseFeathers:

For Charming Elephant:

And finally, Treble Clef:

And finally, Shadowflower:

Shadowflower let me kind of do my own thing for her blog after buying my Just For You package.

Portfolio Post

2010-10-25T16:16:00.000-04:00

This lovely layout was for a dear friend who restarted her blog. View live here.

This was for the same friend's photography blog. This was a breakthrough for me because it was my first time working with the new templates and modifying them to suit my needs. I definitely prefer the 2006 templates, though, or my own (of course)! View here.

This was also a momentous design for me. For one thing, it uses a flash header with phasing photographs — to date I've only used .gif files, and they were awful. I l-o-v-e working with Flash! Another milestone was that this was my first site designed that is not a Blogger blog. This is my own personal photography site; I encourage you to check out the header and view here.

I should have more soon — I'm working with a client to redesign her blog as I type.

Now For Sale: Olive Tree's PS Actions!

2010-09-27T17:19:00.001-04:00

I've had many people remark on the loveliness of my photos on my personal blog, HorseFeathers. But you know what a huge part of getting a good image is?

That's right. Image editing.

Which is why I have decided to finally put on the market my very own set of actions!

These beauties make image editing easy. Just click a button and voilá! A lovely, professional-looking photograph is created.

My actions will work with Adobe Photoshop CS (Version 8.0) and up. So pretty much all of Photoshop.

This set is called "Vintage Magic" because it contains 15 actions to add that nostalgic, magical look to your photos.

The best part? It's only $7.00!

In addition to the actions below, the set contains a "Back to the Beginning" action (which will erase all edits on your photo and go to the last saved version, very handy when testing new techniques) and a "Flatten" action, which will compress all layers on the file into one, for handy JPEG saving.

(once you click that button and pay, I will send you the download link where you can get the actions.)

the original photograph.

"Back in B&W" gives a high-contrast, gritty feel to your photos.

"Burn the Edge" gives a nice vignette.

"Cooler Than You" cools down a too-warm photo, or adds a 70's-ish feel to any picture.

"Ethereal B&W" was used to edit all these photos.

"Faded Glory" keeps details sharp but adds a soft glow to the photo, creating a magical look.

"Faerie Magic" sharpens and edits your image so that only warm tones remain. This makes reds really pop!

"Indoor Lighting Fix" is a handy-dandy solution to that horrible, dark, yellowish tone caused by artificial lighting.
Obviously this photo does not benefit from it, but all of my photos taken indoors use this action.

"Lighten Up" does exactly what it sounds like — slightly lightens your image.

"My My, Time Flies" gives an utterly lovely, vintage feel to any photo. (And yes, it is named for the Enya song.)

"Retro Glamour" is another vintage action that gives that 70's/80's tone to your photos.

"Snapdragon Petals" is a favorite of mine — it darkens darks, lightens lights, and gives an irrisistable vintage tinge.

"Vintage Candy" is a lovely little action that adds a sweet, warm tone to your photo.

"Warm Hug" is a beautiful fix that makes any photo seem friendlier — it adds a warm tone and lightens the picture.

Ready to buy? Just click below and you're off!

Portfolio Post

2010-09-22T16:36:00.001-04:00

I've had the pleasure of designing for four lovely ladies recently...

These two I designed for the Adori Graphics 'Write From the Heart' program, which gives free makeovers to bloggers who blog for therapy. The amazingly talented Louise did the vector characters; aren't they incredible?

The lovely Liz B won a giveaway which I was sponsoring, and I gave her a funky-yet-feminine look.

Finally, HayHay won my giveaway on HorseFeathers and received a full blog makeover... which is totally snazzy, if I do say so myself.

Portfolio Post

2010-09-13T11:53:00.000-04:00

With the agreement of my dear friend Cornet Crazie, I used Anecdote as a guinea pig...

... for Robin Blogs's new look! (Can you tell I'm lovin' blues right now?)

Changes and a Sale!

2010-09-12T11:35:00.000-04:00

Well, I presume you've noticed the brand-new look! I love the floating header... doesn't it look simpler? I used this blog, owned by my friend Cornet Crazie, as a guinea pig and loved the idea.

Also, some terribly exciting news: the Just For You package in the Shoppe is on sale for just $10! Mind you, that's down from $25... more than half off! But hurry... this offer will only be valid for a couple weeks, until Saturday, October 1.

Please, feedback is wanted on the new look. What do you think?

Portfolio Post

2010-09-02T17:47:00.001-04:00

My latest work... remember, prices for your own makeover are as low as they go right now, so click here if you're interested!

Cornet Crazie, like a good friend, let me surprise her, so I went for an understated autumnal look. I love it, and she does too.

These two were for a friend and an acquaintance.

Bleah Brianne also let me surprise her. (She was a great customer to work with!) I gave her a funky/pretty look with a hint of retro style in the photograph.

Portfolio Post

2010-08-10T11:17:00.001-04:00

I've been doing a lot of designing in the past few days!

I was terribly excited to design for Sydney B. She was my very first paying customer! She ordered the Just For You kit and requested something fun, funky, and flirty.

She payed a little extra to have another look done too, and we tried a more sophisticated genre.

HorseFeathers needed a simple, fresh new autumn look, so I turned to my good old friend, the Polaroid.

Elránia was okay with me surprising her, so I gave her a sparkling and sophisticated makeover with an elven princess on a horse.

Finally, Melody won my photography contest at HorseFeathers and got a lovely makeover using the Photographer's Dream package. It features a phasing header.

Big Price Reductions in the Shoppe!

2010-07-16T17:16:00.000-04:00

Hello friends;

Looking at my prices in the Shoppe, I decided they were waaayyyy too high for someone just starting out, and other designers are lowering their prices so I matched the competition. There are now free items and the prices have been almost cut in half for the packages!

Have fun!

Re-opened, with some major changes!

2010-07-09T12:53:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

After that brief period of non-access, Robin Blogs is now ready to go.

Besides a slightly different look, there's been a huge change...

I'm now selling my designs!

Yes! I am terribly excited. I've tried to keep my prices as low as they can go so everybody can get the makeover they always wanted. Check it out here.

Obviously the "Customs" section is now obsolete. Megan, Akire/Skyheart, and MacKenzie, your designs from this month's order are ready for pick-up here.

I hope that this new venture will get off to a great start. Cheers, everybody!

(Not to worry... occasional freebies will still be posted. And tutorials will be frequent.)

Portfolio Post

2010-07-09T07:40:00.000-04:00

Treble Clef's summer set is simple and understated, but packs a lot of punch with bold colors.

HorseFeathers's summer look is also simple and clean, with a hint of playfulness in the header.

Caroline's vintage-y makeover captures my heart with soft, woodsy colors and rounded borders.

Elránia loves unicorns, elves, and the color pink, so I made her a look fit for a fairy princess.

Megan wanted a header that was cute and summery, so that's what she got!