Anyone will tell you that I’m a hiking addict. Just a half-hour from my door, Colorado’s foothills feed my habit and coax me into hitting the trail. This obsession with fresh air and solitude also fuels my creative process and (seriously) keeps me sane! In January of 2021, I set an impromptu goal of going on fifty hikes in a calendar year. In addition to celebrating my half-century mark, I… Read more ›
There’s something magical about the number three…just ask Aristotle, Goldilocks, or that fearless trio of Gryffindors. Whether the end result is a three-act play, a fairy tale, or a bestselling novel, it’s no secret that wordsmiths (like me) rely on the Rule of Three. Of course, this approach isn’t limited to writers. Artists, composers, musicians, dancers, photographers, scientists, and even mathematicians employ some version of this rhythmic rule. A triad… Read more ›
It was such fun to be quizzed by Biz Mama, an online hub where business-minded moms support one another and share their stories! Enjoy this brief interview, re-posted below… ********** Biz Mama: Can you give our readers some background info about your business? Robin: I launched Parfait Studio in 2007 with a focus on “multi-layered” concepts. Like the dessert that inspired my business name, I prefer ideas that are great… Read more ›
It’s hard to believe, but we’re coming up on the hashtag’s tenth anniversary. Love them or hate them, these social media standbys have been around long enough to seep into our collective subconscious. But has the hashtag forever changed the way we write and communicate? The punctuation formerly known as the pound sign has made its mark…permanently. We’ve memorized its spot on our smartphones. We’ve accepted the fact that our posts are… Read more ›
When you’re funding a worthy cause or catching a ride downtown, crowdsourcing is a no-brainer — but when you’re crafting the most visible piece of your vegan brand, it’s a huge no-no! I outline the top 5 reasons why you should steer clear of the crowds in this guest blog for Vegan Business Media. You may be surprised by what you find! Read the full piece here.
Maybe you order them by the truckload, or only use them on rare occasions. You may insist they’re essential, or view them as dusty remnants of “ye olden days.” Whatever your feelings about Business Cards, it’s worth exploring the origins of these mini-messengers. Better yet, let’s take a look at why on earth we’re still using them! Rumored to have originated in 15th century China, “visiting cards” were offered in order to declare one person’s… Read more ›
“Ultimately, the only mandate in the design of logos, it seems, is that they be distinctive, memorable, and clear.” — Paul Rand You’ve probably heard me say it before: we ask our Logos to do a lot. And, not surprisingly, I could write for days on the subject of Brand Identities. In the spirit of Mr. Rand’s simple declaration above, I’ll do my best to keep this post short(ish) and sweet! First off, let’s get our terms straight…. Read more ›
Hiking makes me happy. The sight of a single-track trail, filled with mysterious twists and turns is enough to send me scrambling for my Tevas. Since I live and work in the city, I don’t have the luxury of trekking down a mountain path anytime the mood strikes, so I opt for the next best thing: urban walking. Walking occupies a special place in my heart and mind…literally. We all know… Read more ›
A writer I respect once threw down the gauntlet that a skilled designer can’t be an equally skilled writer, and vice versa. Challenge accepted! While we may be slightly harder to find than a herd of unicorns, hybrid designer-wordsmiths do exist, and I would argue that the good ones are good precisely because we use one craft to hone the other. Words are a big deal to me. I grew up in a family… Read more ›
I recently wrote a blog post for my client, Vegan Publishers, all about why and how I use my creative skills to help vegan and animal-friendly businesses (like theirs). If you’ve ever wondered whether you could make a living doing something deeply meaningful, this post is for you! Read the full piece here.