Matthew Broughton – Designer

I am a senior illustrator and book designer based in Australia, with over 25 years of experience building atmospheric worlds for Gothic fiction, reimagined Classics, and Teen/YA. I am a firm believer that certain stories require an "analogue soul" to feel authentic.

My process begins away from the screen, utilising hand-drawn pen and ink, graphite, and linocut prints to capture a grit and texture that pixels alone cannot replicate. By refining these tactile elements with modern digital tools, I provide the beauty of artisan craft with the flexibility of a professional, production-ready workflow.

When you collaborate with me, you are gaining a dedicated off-site art department. I specialise in the hand-drawn dark aesthetic and finding the haunting heart of a YA book cover. My goal is to handle the technical heavy lifting—ensuring every file is optimised for global print standards—allowing you to stay focused on your storytelling.

I create illustrations with the history and depth your manuscript deserves. Whether you are looking for a striking linocut aesthetic or a complex illustrated book cover, let’s turn your book into a true object of art.

................

“Matthew is an awesome illustrator, who has a level of professionalism and eye for detail that makes him one of the best we have worked with. His art is fantastic, but working with him is even better. He has always helped the business out with guidance, knowledge and improvements. The book Frankenstein has turned out to be our best to date, and this is due to Matthew's art and support in creating the best visually beautiful book.”

Stephen Hipkiss, Publisher at Hipkiss Publishing