Matthew Young

Matthew Young – Web Developer

I create attractive, intuitive websites on WordPress and Squarespace that deliver your message and that are easy to update and maintain.

Overview

I have been a freelance graphic designer, art director, editor, and author for many years, with clients ranging from individual authors and artists to publishers, corporations, non-profits, and agencies. I provide a full range of design services, and I can provide editorial advice. The collaborative process makes it all come together.


I design websites that reflect the design and content of a book or body of work, using imagery provided by my clients as well as appropriate stock and historical images available online.


I specialize in websites built on Squarespace and WordPress, and an important part of my job is to help my clients become familiar with the administration functions on those platforms, so they are comfortable making edits and updates going forward.


Having published two books of my own, I know first-hand the complexities of writing and marketing one's own book. In my freelance capacity, I have also designed and edited for Oak Knoll Books and Press for many years, and I have conducted and edited author interviews for their website and YouTube channel. From 2015-2020, I managed their publishing and distribution programs.


If you have a project you'd like to discuss, please get in touch!


Recommendations:


"Working with Matthew has been a pleasure and he delivered more than he promised. I am exceedingly pleased with the quality of his work, his dedication to the tasks, and the detailed finesse with which he approached each project and chore." — Hotse Langeraar


"Matthew’s web design and construction was based on my book, which he also designed. It helped promote the book, while serving the long-term purpose of showcasing my bookbinding skills and aesthetic. He understands the material to be conveyed and does so with ease, accuracy, and elegance." — Jamie Kamph


"I'm delighted with the process and completion of the website design project I had the pleasure of working on with you. I've gotten great feedback about the site, and it's proving indispensable." — Jack Huston

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs History Physics & Chemistry True Crime
Fiction
Epic Fantasy Historical Fiction Historical Mysteries Poetry
Languages
English (CAN) English (US)
Works with
Squarespace WordPress

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 1990 — Present

Projects

Aaron Cummins: "The Cartographers Guild and the Search for the Jade Mask"

Book, website and logo design for the first novel in this exciting series by Aaron Cummins. It was great fun working with Aaron to come up with a theme and images to help present this group of explorers and their adventures.

Hotse Langeraar: "Capuche"

I provided book design, book editing, and website redesign and overhaul for author Hotse Langeraar's remarkable historical novel. A project of many months, it was great fun from start to finish. Hotse and I collaborated well, which I hope is evident in the results.

Elena Southworth

Website for a teenage author publishing her second book about sibling rivalry and family complications. The website includes a welcome message from Elena, pages for each title, one for reviews and interviews, and one for media events and appearances. I worked primarily with Elena's mother, Nayla, and all contact and social media links on the website were carefully directed to a publicist and/or Nayla.

Jamie Kamph: "Tricks of the Trade"

Website design and book design. Jamie writes, "Matthew’s web design and construction was based on my book, which he also designed. It helped promote the book, while serving the long-term purpose of showcasing my bookbinding skills and aesthetic. He understands the material to be conveyed and does so with ease, accuracy, and elegance."

Matthew has 23 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Craig M.

Craig M.

Nov, 2023

Matthew got on the project right away. He took extra steps to make sure he understood more than just the basics of the project. He communicated very well, responding to requests and making recommendations. He finished the project well before the deadline. I have received very good reviews from those who have seen the completed project.
Matthew Y.
Thanks Craig. Glad I could help you put together a website for your remarkable book.
Tinsa Ann H.

Tinsa Ann H.

Oct, 2023

Matthew was very understanding and adaptable throughout the course of this project. He has excellent taste in design, and I was beyond impressed with what he accomplished for me on my humble site. He listens carefully, he responds in a timely manner, and I appreciate his professionalism as it made communicating with him easy and productive. I am looking forward to working with Matthew again...
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Matthew Y.
Thanks Tinsa! I look forward to picking up where we left off once your book is close to publication.
David S.

David S.

Sep, 2023

My website needed to show my work, not only as an author, but also as a visual artist, and a theatre director. Matthew thoroughly researched my professional career, and his first draft of my website surpassed my expectations. Even so, he wanted to ensure that I was satisfied. I suggested a few changes, and he promptly made the corrections. HIs work demonstrates his technical skill, intuition,...
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Matthew Y.
This was an unusual project, as it involved several areas of creativity. We began with a discussion about whether to have two linked websites, as David had set up, or to combine everything in one w...
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Kimberly J. W.

Kimberly J. W.

Aug, 2023

My collaboration with Matthew got off to a slow start, as I was not able to define my requirements and did not have content to provide to him. Our pace picked up considerably when I defined my needs. The result is a website and blog that I am thrilled with!
Matthew Y.
This was a complex project... and a satisfying one. Once we got up to speed we worked well together, and Kimberly has learned how to manage updates and changes going forward.
Garry C.

Garry C.

Jul, 2023

I thought Matthew was a grand slam for solving my problems with my website. He detailed the action plans and then went through the list and got my website updated and functioning before the estimated deadline. I am not easy to get a hold of because of travel needs and busyness around the farm everyday, but he was patiently and deliberate is his resolve to do a damn good job. Thank you Matthe...
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Matthew Y.
Thanks Garry. It has been a challenging and different kind of project: redesigning a website without taking it offline, in the height of business season. I look forward to helping in the future. N...
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