Industry: Literary / Non-Profit
Services Delivered: WordPress reskin and enhancement, ACF-based customisation, PWA setup

A Fresh Look for a Content-Rich Platform

The Islamic Literary Society had an existing WordPress website packed with thoughtful articles, book reviews, and podcasts — but the design was starting to feel dated, and some functionality had outgrown the original build.

The client wanted a visual refresh inspired by a specific literary site they admired. Rather than copying it, I used it as a springboard — adapting the tone and layout ideas to create something that felt distinctly theirs.

This wasn’t a full rebuild from scratch — the original site structure was sound. Instead, I delivered a reskin layered on top of the existing WordPress install, paired with several key improvements under the hood.

How I Helped

Style Refresh with Purpose

I restyled the entire site using a custom child theme, modernising the look while preserving familiar structure. Fonts, spacing, colour, and layout were refined to reflect the client’s literary tone — influenced by their chosen reference but with a distinct identity.

Functionality Where It Counts

To support editorial flexibility, I implemented Advanced Custom Fields across several page templates. This gave the team fine-grained control over key areas of the site without needing to touch code or fight with rigid layout builders.

Progressive Web App (PWA) Setup

The client also wanted their site to behave more like an app when accessed on mobile devices. I implemented a Progressive Web App using the Super Progressive Web Apps plugin, configured with custom branding and offline caching — allowing readers to “install” the site on their devices for a native-like experience.

Results

  • A refreshed design that feels both modern and respectful of the content
  • Editorial tools that empower the client to publish confidently
  • A PWA that extends the site’s reach and usability on mobile

This project is a great example of how a thoughtful reskin and a few strategic enhancements can breathe new life into an existing WordPress build — without starting from zero.