Matt Cosgrove is an acclaimed Australian author and illustrator best known for his beloved “Macca the Alpaca” children’s book series. His website serves as a dynamic platform to showcase his creative works, connect with fans and educators, and reflect the playful personality embedded in his stories. The site beautifully blends storytelling, animation, and usability in a fun, engaging way that resonates with both kids and adults.
Matt Cosgrove
WordPress, Elementor,, Yoast SEO,, Figma
UX/UI Designer & WordPress Developer
Strategy:
To capture the spirit of Matt’s work, we focused on:
Whimsical UX/UI Design that complements his illustration style
Bright Color Palette & Hand-Drawn Fonts to maintain visual consistency with his books
Book-Centric Navigation making it easy to explore characters and series
Minimal Text, Maximum Fun using gifs, videos, and interactive content for engagement
🎯 Objectives
The primary goals of the project were:
Brand Persona Expression: Reflect Matt’s quirky, humorous, and artistic identity online
Product Showcase: Feature his growing collection of books with interactive and fun visuals
Audience Engagement: Encourage interaction from educators, kids, and parents
Ease of Use: Offer an intuitive experience on desktop and mobile for all ages
CMS: WordPress
Theme Framework: Custom Theme with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
Languages: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript
I conducted user research and usability mapping to uncover how motorsport fans consume content online. The focus was on optimizing flow, speed, and engagement—ensuring the platform meets the expectations of an audience fueled by adrenaline and real-time updates.
Visual Language:
Bold use of pastel backgrounds and paper-textured elements evoke a child-friendly feel.
Matt’s signature hand-drawn style was mimicked in icons and buttons, tying the digital and printed worlds together.
Typography:
Playful, large fonts were chosen to mirror the tone of Matt’s books while ensuring readability for younger audiences.
Animation:
Subtle yet expressive animations like bouncing alpacas and twinkling stars created a delightful user journey without overwhelming the experience.
Fully responsive design—smooth experience on mobile, tablet, and desktop.
Whether you’re curious about my work, want to discuss a project, or just say hello—I’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect and create something great together.
