Robb Owen
@robbowen.digital
Independent Designer and full stack web developer from South Wales. Serial language botherer. Made Synthwave '84. 日本語ＯＫ
https://robbowen.digital
※写真はイメージです
https://robbowen.digital
※写真はイメージです
Wine is open and @evadage.co.uk and I are about to sit down to celebrate Latvian Ziemassvētki with roast venison. Tomorrow we roll further into the hills for a proper turkey roast with the Welsh contingent.
Happy Christmas to all who celebrate tonight! 🎄
Happy Christmas to all who celebrate tonight! 🎄
December 24, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Wine is open and @evadage.co.uk and I are about to sit down to celebrate Latvian Ziemassvētki with roast venison. Tomorrow we roll further into the hills for a proper turkey roast with the Welsh contingent.
Happy Christmas to all who celebrate tonight! 🎄
Happy Christmas to all who celebrate tonight! 🎄
Reposted by Robb Owen
new on Strangers, By Spring 🤍
“I remember feeling like demigods as we paraded up Dean St ... and I remember envy deep in my muscles at the infinite life that flowed out of you and your glamorous lover. I remember your laughter and ours echoing like gunfire percussion through the city.”
“I remember feeling like demigods as we paraded up Dean St ... and I remember envy deep in my muscles at the infinite life that flowed out of you and your glamorous lover. I remember your laughter and ours echoing like gunfire percussion through the city.”
Strangers By Spring
Strangers, By Spring is a blog about escapism, romance, and rebirth. Consider: I reckon there’s a lot of writing to be done. I...
strangersbyspring.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:57 AM
new on Strangers, By Spring 🤍
“I remember feeling like demigods as we paraded up Dean St ... and I remember envy deep in my muscles at the infinite life that flowed out of you and your glamorous lover. I remember your laughter and ours echoing like gunfire percussion through the city.”
“I remember feeling like demigods as we paraded up Dean St ... and I remember envy deep in my muscles at the infinite life that flowed out of you and your glamorous lover. I remember your laughter and ours echoing like gunfire percussion through the city.”
I just heard one of those royalty-free Christmas songs that they only ever play in shops and the main refrain was just "Christmas will find you" over and over again. Now all I can think of is a festive Taken spin-off
December 22, 2025 at 9:30 AM
I just heard one of those royalty-free Christmas songs that they only ever play in shops and the main refrain was just "Christmas will find you" over and over again. Now all I can think of is a festive Taken spin-off
With work wrapped for the year, it's time to continue a pre-christmas tradition running since '98
December 21, 2025 at 7:14 PM
With work wrapped for the year, it's time to continue a pre-christmas tradition running since '98
Reposted by Robb Owen
Less of a wrap up and more of a call to action this year.
TL;DR we need to take these motherfuckers down
bell.bz/wrapping-up-...
TL;DR we need to take these motherfuckers down
bell.bz/wrapping-up-...
Wrapping up 2025 (sort of) - Andy Bell
Less of a retrospective and more of a call to action.
bell.bz
December 19, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Less of a wrap up and more of a call to action this year.
TL;DR we need to take these motherfuckers down
bell.bz/wrapping-up-...
TL;DR we need to take these motherfuckers down
bell.bz/wrapping-up-...
Reposted by Robb Owen
the thing that drives me insane about genAI/chatgpt bullshit is that brother, the process IS the work IS the entire thing. no artist comes to art for the final result. the final result is inextricable from the fucking labor that came into making it
December 18, 2025 at 6:21 PM
the thing that drives me insane about genAI/chatgpt bullshit is that brother, the process IS the work IS the entire thing. no artist comes to art for the final result. the final result is inextricable from the fucking labor that came into making it
Reposted by Robb Owen
Alright, first wrap up of the year.
It's been a stellar year at @piccalil.li. We've published *so much* and introduced so many great things.
I wanted to reflect on that and let you know what's coming up in 2026.
A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us this year 💛
It's been a stellar year at @piccalil.li. We've published *so much* and introduced so many great things.
I wanted to reflect on that and let you know what's coming up in 2026.
A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us this year 💛
Wrapping up 2025
We don't normally do one of these, but I think 2025 has been a stellar year for Piccalilli, so we wanted to get into what we've done and what we're planning for next year.
piccalil.li
December 18, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Alright, first wrap up of the year.
It's been a stellar year at @piccalil.li. We've published *so much* and introduced so many great things.
I wanted to reflect on that and let you know what's coming up in 2026.
A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us this year 💛
It's been a stellar year at @piccalil.li. We've published *so much* and introduced so many great things.
I wanted to reflect on that and let you know what's coming up in 2026.
A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us this year 💛
Reposted by Robb Owen
Delighted to contribute to the HTMLHell advent calendar. I explained how screen readers don’t always announce what’s visually on screen - through the medium of burritos:
www.htmhell.dev/adventcalend...
Thanks to experts @matuzo.at and @hidde.blog for making sure the burrito was structurally sound.
www.htmhell.dev/adventcalend...
Thanks to experts @matuzo.at and @hidde.blog for making sure the burrito was structurally sound.
Don't leave the screen reader hungry - HTMHell
A collection of bad practices in HTML, copied from real websites.
www.htmhell.dev
December 18, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Delighted to contribute to the HTMLHell advent calendar. I explained how screen readers don’t always announce what’s visually on screen - through the medium of burritos:
www.htmhell.dev/adventcalend...
Thanks to experts @matuzo.at and @hidde.blog for making sure the burrito was structurally sound.
www.htmhell.dev/adventcalend...
Thanks to experts @matuzo.at and @hidde.blog for making sure the burrito was structurally sound.
Reposted by Robb Owen
Friends fear he has once again made The Computer do his bidding.
I built a little site for all my photos away from any social media. Had a little fun with it, yanno?
konnai.re/leisuredome
I built a little site for all my photos away from any social media. Had a little fun with it, yanno?
konnai.re/leisuredome
🍹 welcome to the leisuredome executive lounge 💳
✺ we hope you enjoy your stay ✺
konnai.re
December 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Friends fear he has once again made The Computer do his bidding.
I built a little site for all my photos away from any social media. Had a little fun with it, yanno?
konnai.re/leisuredome
I built a little site for all my photos away from any social media. Had a little fun with it, yanno?
konnai.re/leisuredome
Next week my wife and I doing a sort of pre-xmas supper club thing with our neighbours so I'm doing a test flight of the main – smoked gnocchi with beef shin ragù. I have our little smoker going and the beef has been cooking in wine & tomatoes for about 2 hours. Pretty sure these smells are illegal
December 14, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Next week my wife and I doing a sort of pre-xmas supper club thing with our neighbours so I'm doing a test flight of the main – smoked gnocchi with beef shin ragù. I have our little smoker going and the beef has been cooking in wine & tomatoes for about 2 hours. Pretty sure these smells are illegal
Reposted by Robb Owen
The handmade, human qualities of your work are more valuable than they've ever been. Don't doubt that for a second.
December 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The handmade, human qualities of your work are more valuable than they've ever been. Don't doubt that for a second.
Reposted by Robb Owen
I love overflow clip, but I never knew these specifics! Its also very helpful when working with position sticky or scroll driven animations. The hidden value breaks position sticky and scroll driven animations that are set on children but the clip value does not
Mini demo: codepen.io/Sidstumple/p...
Mini demo: codepen.io/Sidstumple/p...
overflow-clip vs hidden
...
codepen.io
December 5, 2025 at 11:48 PM
I love overflow clip, but I never knew these specifics! Its also very helpful when working with position sticky or scroll driven animations. The hidden value breaks position sticky and scroll driven animations that are set on children but the clip value does not
Mini demo: codepen.io/Sidstumple/p...
Mini demo: codepen.io/Sidstumple/p...
Reposted by Robb Owen
You can fundamentally rewire your brain to properly understand CSS layout... for $34.50. Can’t say fairer than that! One day left.
Oh I forgot to mention on here, Every Layout is doing the annual 50% discount too! every-layout.dev
Relearn CSS layout
every-layout.dev
December 11, 2025 at 11:49 AM
You can fundamentally rewire your brain to properly understand CSS layout... for $34.50. Can’t say fairer than that! One day left.
Reposted by Robb Owen
So happy to have this out there. I've dreamt of a new home for the GSAP demos for so long.
I can't wait to get cracking with some more uploads, framework collections and integrated tutorials for more complex techniques. 🤘
I can't wait to get cracking with some more uploads, framework collections and integrated tutorials for more complex techniques. 🤘
December 8, 2025 at 5:06 PM
So happy to have this out there. I've dreamt of a new home for the GSAP demos for so long.
I can't wait to get cracking with some more uploads, framework collections and integrated tutorials for more complex techniques. 🤘
I can't wait to get cracking with some more uploads, framework collections and integrated tutorials for more complex techniques. 🤘
Reposted by Robb Owen
new from our friend @likethecolour.red on Strangers, By Spring:
"Bar Italia is both a cafe and a portal.
What I mean by that is that it is open for 21 hours a day and anywhere that is open for 21 hours a day eventually, but inevitably, becomes a portal."
strangersbyspring.com/2025-12-12
"Bar Italia is both a cafe and a portal.
What I mean by that is that it is open for 21 hours a day and anywhere that is open for 21 hours a day eventually, but inevitably, becomes a portal."
strangersbyspring.com/2025-12-12
Strangers By Spring
Strangers, By Spring is a blog about escapism, romance, and rebirth. Consider: Bar Italia is both a cafe and a portal...
strangersbyspring.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:20 PM
new from our friend @likethecolour.red on Strangers, By Spring:
"Bar Italia is both a cafe and a portal.
What I mean by that is that it is open for 21 hours a day and anywhere that is open for 21 hours a day eventually, but inevitably, becomes a portal."
strangersbyspring.com/2025-12-12
"Bar Italia is both a cafe and a portal.
What I mean by that is that it is open for 21 hours a day and anywhere that is open for 21 hours a day eventually, but inevitably, becomes a portal."
strangersbyspring.com/2025-12-12
The lead was a dead end. A dream led out to die, another ghost in the fog. But he lived for moments like these: when the sky is thick, the wolves are at the door and there ain't nothin' left but to chase deadlines with dialtones
(friends, he has been listening to Bohren & Der club of Gore again)
(friends, he has been listening to Bohren & Der club of Gore again)
December 11, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The lead was a dead end. A dream led out to die, another ghost in the fog. But he lived for moments like these: when the sky is thick, the wolves are at the door and there ain't nothin' left but to chase deadlines with dialtones
(friends, he has been listening to Bohren & Der club of Gore again)
(friends, he has been listening to Bohren & Der club of Gore again)
Lately I've been taking my web design inspiration from other disciplines and book covers have become one of my favourite sources. This is a great collection
Here it is! My list of the notable book covers (and trends) of 2025...
Notable Book Covers of 2025
Hopscotch by Julio Cortázar; illustration by Stephen Smith; art direction by Suzanne Dean (Vintage Classics / August 2025) Bestiary: The Selected Stories of Julio Cortázar by Julio Cortázar; illustration by Stephen Smith; art direction by Suzanne Dean (Vintage Classics / August 2025) Final Exam by Julio Cortázar; illustration by Stephen Smith; art direction by Suzanne Dean
www.casualoptimist.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Lately I've been taking my web design inspiration from other disciplines and book covers have become one of my favourite sources. This is a great collection
Reposted by Robb Owen
Fellow people in marketing: see this as yet another warning.
People do not want to see AI and it’ll do damage to yours/your client’s brand www.bbc.co.uk/news/arti…
People do not want to see AI and it’ll do damage to yours/your client’s brand www.bbc.co.uk/news/arti…
December 11, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Fellow people in marketing: see this as yet another warning.
People do not want to see AI and it’ll do damage to yours/your client’s brand www.bbc.co.uk/news/arti…
People do not want to see AI and it’ll do damage to yours/your client’s brand www.bbc.co.uk/news/arti…
Reposted by Robb Owen
there are things we must end
sometimes
to make way for bright beginnings to blossom
and new discoveries about ourselves to
be made
in earnest
with a full heart
and a free mind
endings
sometimes
to make way for bright beginnings to blossom
and new discoveries about ourselves to
be made
in earnest
with a full heart
and a free mind
endings
weird_wide_web_hole_100
endings we can be so hesitantto accept endingsthey are heavyso heavyweighted with the passing oftime you did not quite noticewhen things changedthough it...
buttondown.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:33 AM
there are things we must end
sometimes
to make way for bright beginnings to blossom
and new discoveries about ourselves to
be made
in earnest
with a full heart
and a free mind
endings
sometimes
to make way for bright beginnings to blossom
and new discoveries about ourselves to
be made
in earnest
with a full heart
and a free mind
endings
Reposted by Robb Owen
just gonna share this a couple more times cause i really like the thing we’re making, and think it deserves reach
Stoked to share that True Terrors (@strange.website) and I have turned this riff of a post into "Strangers By Spring", a creative project about escapism, romance, and rebirth:
strangersbyspring.com
Sometimes it's really good to just sit down and make the things you wish existed in the world.
strangersbyspring.com
Sometimes it's really good to just sit down and make the things you wish existed in the world.
December 11, 2025 at 7:37 AM
just gonna share this a couple more times cause i really like the thing we’re making, and think it deserves reach
Reposted by Robb Owen
🌧️ hey yeah it’s launch day. had a blast making this website with the inimitable @likethecolour.red, a Bluesky Account & in many ways a dear friend whose outlook on life inspires me deeply :)
this is a project made with love for the web, friends, and reiselust. i'm excited to share it with you.
this is a project made with love for the web, friends, and reiselust. i'm excited to share it with you.
Strangers By Spring
Strangers, By Spring is a blog about escapism, romance, and rebirth.
strangersbyspring.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:42 PM
🌧️ hey yeah it’s launch day. had a blast making this website with the inimitable @likethecolour.red, a Bluesky Account & in many ways a dear friend whose outlook on life inspires me deeply :)
this is a project made with love for the web, friends, and reiselust. i'm excited to share it with you.
this is a project made with love for the web, friends, and reiselust. i'm excited to share it with you.
Reposted by Robb Owen
[me, retouching a single pixel highlight on a bg character's eyeball for the twelfth time in one hour] "Gotta get this right. The entire campaign depends upon it..."
[client, staring at the ball of melting, screaming meat that ChatGPT made, instead of a person] "😍 OMG! 😍 ship it!!!!"
[client, staring at the ball of melting, screaming meat that ChatGPT made, instead of a person] "😍 OMG! 😍 ship it!!!!"
December 8, 2025 at 2:23 PM
[me, retouching a single pixel highlight on a bg character's eyeball for the twelfth time in one hour] "Gotta get this right. The entire campaign depends upon it..."
[client, staring at the ball of melting, screaming meat that ChatGPT made, instead of a person] "😍 OMG! 😍 ship it!!!!"
[client, staring at the ball of melting, screaming meat that ChatGPT made, instead of a person] "😍 OMG! 😍 ship it!!!!"
Reposted by Robb Owen
Every facet of generative AI has made my professional life worse, without question, but THIS specific aspect has been driving me NUTS.
Clients, who have made me toil for weeks over indescribably small details, are now approving & producing in-house commercial artwork that looks like a fever dream.
Clients, who have made me toil for weeks over indescribably small details, are now approving & producing in-house commercial artwork that looks like a fever dream.
December 8, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Every facet of generative AI has made my professional life worse, without question, but THIS specific aspect has been driving me NUTS.
Clients, who have made me toil for weeks over indescribably small details, are now approving & producing in-house commercial artwork that looks like a fever dream.
Clients, who have made me toil for weeks over indescribably small details, are now approving & producing in-house commercial artwork that looks like a fever dream.
Reposted by Robb Owen
FRIENDS it is now the LAST DAY that you can SAVE SOME DOSH when you buy MINDFUL DESIGN. it is a VERY MASSIVE video course that covers the FULL DESIGN STACK and you get to STARE AT MY FACE for TWENTY SEVEN HOURS or sth. now i will SHUT THE HECK UP and NAP FOR A WEEK. piccalil.li/mindful-design
Mindful Design
A high quality, expansive video course that will elevate your design skills to a level you never thought was achievable.
piccalil.li
December 9, 2025 at 2:06 PM
FRIENDS it is now the LAST DAY that you can SAVE SOME DOSH when you buy MINDFUL DESIGN. it is a VERY MASSIVE video course that covers the FULL DESIGN STACK and you get to STARE AT MY FACE for TWENTY SEVEN HOURS or sth. now i will SHUT THE HECK UP and NAP FOR A WEEK. piccalil.li/mindful-design
Please take the time to check out this achingly beautiful website, made by two of the greatest to ever do it
Stoked to share that True Terrors (@strange.website) and I have turned this riff of a post into "Strangers By Spring", a creative project about escapism, romance, and rebirth:
strangersbyspring.com
Sometimes it's really good to just sit down and make the things you wish existed in the world.
strangersbyspring.com
Sometimes it's really good to just sit down and make the things you wish existed in the world.
December 9, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Please take the time to check out this achingly beautiful website, made by two of the greatest to ever do it