{Oh, you need your blog re-designed? // a feature + giveaway with Viva la Violette}

This giveaway is now closed! Congratulations to comment #19, Mandy. Please check your email for a message from us! And thank you to all who entered… xoxo

Heather of Viva la Violette {who re-designed my blog a couple of weeks ago} is our XL sponsor for February and y’all, she’s so talented! Her design process is pretty simple, which I loved {simple = easy on the customers}. Depending on what package you purchase, Heather will have you create a pinterest board so she can easily see your style/vision, then she’ll have you fill out a design questionnaire, and then she’ll work her magic… which was my favorite part :) I loved seeing her transform my pinterest board + questionnaire and turn it into something concrete.

I asked Heather to share a little bit about herself with you, along with a few reasons having a personalized blog design is important. And you know I asked her to share with us how she finds inspiration! :) Enjoy the interview… and psst! there’s a giveaway at the end!

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Hi! I’m Heather — a web and blog designer, wife, mommy, DIYer, blogger, gamer, and lover of all things purple. My passion lies in creating beautiful , functional designs for the web. My infatuation with websites and animated graphics started in high school, when my older brother brought home our first computer. Around the year 2000, I started teaching myself HTML and began creating websites to test my skills and learn new things. I later graduated with a BFA in Visual Arts — Computer Animation, and am continuing my education to keep up with the latest design trends and mobile responsive techniques.

Before I started Viva la Violette in 2008, I worked as a Lead Artist at a casual video game company for three years. It was a blast and something I learned a TON from, but I know that where I am now is where I’m supposed to be. Once I started designing for WordPress and fell into the Studiopress community, I felt that I had found my ‘calling’ and I have not looked back since.

Having a personalized blog or website is important in so many ways ~ here are my top 3 reasons:

1) To give your readers an insight into your life: not just through your words, but also through your style. If people will remember your site, they’ll probably come back to visit again and again.

2) To make your little corner of the internet feel personal and inviting. I can’t tell you how many times my clients have said something along the lines of ‘I want my readers to feel at home, like they can relax with a cup of tea and have a good read’.

3) To be unique and stand out from the crowd. Although there are many free themes available, having a custom blog design and branding will help you stand out and appear more professional.

My favorite part of creating a design is the collaboration process I go through with each client. I sometimes think of myself as a translator of sorts, conveying my client’s vision and style through design.  I love choosing fonts and color palettes, and looking through pinterest boards that some of my clients submit for inspiration. (Secret boards work great for this!) This gives me a great sense of what appeals to them visually, and typically has my head buzzing with ideas before I even begin the design.

I think all creatives feel ‘burnt out’ at times, and during those times I usually take a step back from my work and get away from the computer. A walk through the bookstore, window shopping, games with my family, or a fun DIY project is a great way for me to unwind and let my creativity rejuvenate. As far as inspiration, I find it everywhere! I often find it when I least expect to, whether it’s in conversation, music, or on a billboard sign. I also fill my studio with things to inspire: books, purple things, personal photos, watercolors, my inspiration board, etc.  (Gussy is the one who inspired me to make my inspiration board a couple of years ago!) Online I find inspiration on sites like Pinterest, Dribbble, Colour Lovers, and blogs I read. I’m also inspired by many of my web design friends, since we are always helping each other out and sharing our work. Having such a great community surrounding my profession is truly inspiring and such a blessing.

Find Heather elsewhere: Twitter // Pinterest // Google+ // Facebook // Instagram // Dribbble

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GIVEAWAY DETAILS // Heather is offering a $100 gift certificate towards custom design packages, addons, or premade themes, yeow! Simply use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter {there are 3 ways to enter}.

MORE INFO // This giveaway is open to all countries and will end on Thursday, February 14 at 11:59pm PST. A winner will be selected + emailed/announced at the top of this post on Friday the 15th. Have fun + good luck! xo

a Rafflecopter giveaway