The One Page Graphic Design Portfolio Guide

I have been doing extensive research on portfolio sites lately and what I’ve noticed and I’m sure a lot of you have noticed is the growing popularity of one page portfolio websites. I know some of you might be “anti trends”, but I think this portfolio website format is great for several reasons and I will give you tips on how to create your own one page graphic design portfolio and how you can market it for free.

I even use this one page portfolio format for my own graphic design portfolio, because I believe it works well!

Benefits of a One Page Graphic Design Portfolio

Easy to code since it is usually minimalistic in appearance
Simplicity of the graphic design portfolio allows your designs to shine
Very easy and quick for potential employers to navigate

Tips for Creating a One Page Graphic Design Portfolio

1. Register your own domain and get a paid hosting plan, don’t try and use any free services

2. Keep the layout of the site simple, but don’t be afraid to let some of your personal design style out

3. Find the right balance between low file size and quality for your images

4. Make your contact information easy to find at the top of the site

5. Write a brief 2-3 sentence bio about yourself to personalize the site

6. Link to a downloadable PDF version of your resume that is under 2mb in size

7. Don’t add an excessive number of items to your graphic design portfolios, twelve or so pieces should be fine, but you could go a little higher or lower

8. Add a case study (brief description) under each project

9. Validate your websites CSS and XHTML

10. Do not put any Google ads or other advertisements on your portfolio site

Tips for Promoting Your One Page Graphic Design Portfolio

1. Submit your portfolio to design inspiration sites. This can result in tons of traffic if you design is top notch and gets rated well by people on the site. So make sure your website is in perfect shape before submitting.

2. If you participate in graphic design forums, showcase your site in threads dedicated to showing portfolio work and you can also add a link to your portfolio in your signature. If you are an active member people will be more likely to visit the links in your signature

3. Tell all your friends about your site. Word of mouth is an underestimated method of website promotion

4. Read this book on search engine optimization. It is a priceless investment and will help you get tons of natural and free traffic to your website by tweaking minor things on your site

5. Exchange links with other designer’s sites

6. Create and attach a blog to your website so you can post articles related to design on your site. This will help bring in traffic and will help establish you as a knowledgeable professional in your field.

Submit your portfolio to onepagefolios.com

7. Submit your website to quality business directories

8. Submit your website to logo design inspiration sites mentioned in our article Design a Logo – The Ultimate Guide

Graphic Design Portfolio Resources

Wordpress – Can work as a great CMS (Content Management System) for your graphic design portfolio.

One Page Folios - Nice collection of over 800 one page folios that you can browse through for inspiration.

Most Inspired – A collection of all the popular CSS and design gallery website that you can submit your portfolio site too.

SEO Book – The best search engine optimization book on the market. It will teach you everything you need to know about getting natural free search engine traffic to your website.

Some Great One Page Graphic Design Portfolios

I hope you found this post helpful and informative and if you have any questions or comments please feel free to post them as comments!

January 31, 2008

56 Comments

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Comments on this post:

Luke - January 31st, 2008

This will really help me. Thanks, Gino.
Online portfolios « nu fashion - February 1st, 2008

[...] This page offers a little tutorial on how to build a one-page graphic design portfolio – not exactly fashion, but applicable as well. [...]
Bloom tools - February 1st, 2008

thanks for the post. Is very useful.
Sodinedia - February 1st, 2008

I need to get my butt in gear.
LoÃ¯c SATTLER - February 3rd, 2008

Hi Gino, and thanks a lot for having taken my folio for exemple.
luis landero - February 8th, 2008

while not as cool as a wordpress webpage or the like, i was able to put up my own portfolio through virb.com

so far its kept me afloat, since it is updated with stuff i do and i get feedback too.

thanks a lot for this info
Fernando Bittar - February 8th, 2008

I too am glad that you took my portfolio as an example.
Thank you.
Zoe - February 11th, 2008

Great suggestions. Thank you.
a - February 18th, 2008

thank you, this is exactly what i was looking for!!!
The Best Graphic Design Articles from February 2008 - February 29th, 2008

[...] The One Page Graphic Design Portfolio Guide You have all seen those portfolio pages with a persons work all on one page, well this is how to do that step by step. [...]
ela - March 6th, 2008

Very useful post. However, none of three sites mentioned above is XHTML valid!
erik - March 10th, 2008

Is there a company out there that sells one page portfolio templates?
KDaniel - March 28th, 2008

Thanks for the info. Your content is interesting and informative. Keep up the good work Gino!!
Pherm - April 1st, 2008

I’m also wondering if there is a company that sells a one page portfolio templates.
kat - April 26th, 2008

Excellent post! I’ve always been a firm believer in the one-page portfolio. My graphic design online folio is on one page too. http://www.creative.subtlekoffee.com/
That “happily create” site you listed as an example is gorgeous.
Dexterous SEO India - May 3rd, 2008

Well featured list of design article. You really did a good job, including i was willing to find these sort of web design articles.
23 Kick Ass Portfolio Designs | + fuel your creativity // find your spark + - May 22nd, 2008

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Why are designers never 100% satisfied? | David Airey :: Graphic and Logo Designer - June 30th, 2008

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Why are designers never 100% satisfied? | Dalton Trent's Blog - July 8th, 2008

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Design Sojourn | Strategic Industrial Design Blog » Meta Design Links: 10 July 2008 - July 10th, 2008

[...] that all designers should have an online presence or a website that is at least a portfolio site. YoutheDesigner Blog shares his comprehensive guide on how and why you should have one, and you can do so quickly with a [...]
Vicks - July 11th, 2008

Nice article, I was just staring at my blank page thinking about the best way to highlight my work and the answer was right there….keep it simple – let my work shine!! ta mate
Tim Kennedy - July 14th, 2008

This is a great post. However, I can’t seem to find anywhere to actually get a start on creating my own one page. Any help?
Erik - July 17th, 2008

http://www.onepagefolios.com is a nice site of collections of folios, but I do wish that there are site that come with thumbnails for each sites to make search easiser. Does anyone know? I do not mean some CSSbeauty type of website where they show off their design. I am looking for collection of freelancing FOLIOS with thumbnails.

Erik
Innovative Graphic Design Resume CV and Portfolio Tips - July 20th, 2008

[...] The One Page Graphic Design Portfolio Guide – Online [...]
Kirk - September 18th, 2008

I think the information you have provided is very helpful. I viewed the sample you linked to your portfolio, and additionally liked the overall design. This not only inspires me, but motivates me to get back into graphic design.
Holly Wise - September 24th, 2008

This article was really helpful. I was considering a one page portfolio but wasn’t completely sure yet until I read this article and in no time at all I built myself one.. Thanks, Gino!
Conrad Gorny - September 26th, 2008

Really helpful stuff. Thanks,

Conrad Gorny
Freelance Graphic Designer
http://www.conradgorny.com
Metal Martian » websites - October 16th, 2008

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Just[ed] - October 17th, 2008

Great guide… it would help a lot…
http://www.visualjusted.com
Azim.Khamisi - October 19th, 2008

Great,Useful Post.
CNASH - November 6th, 2008

This is great. As a designer myself, I can barely make time to redesign my website. I like the idea of a one page portfolio. Thanks for the info.
yelena zuko - November 7th, 2008

thanks Gino, it helped a lot for me. great guide, i visit your site quite often
Web design ideas - Graphic Design Forum and Web Design Forum - November 20th, 2008

[...] designed my three page portfolio on the single page concept. I like The One Page Graphic Design Portfolio Guide. __________________ Print, Web & Email Design for Creatives and Non-Profits [...]
C. Stevenson - December 21st, 2008

I agree with what you’ve written. I’ve used a few other tricks as a freelancer, someone might find helpful.

1. While submitting your site to design forums, don’t overlook participating in and submitting your link where your clients will be. I work in publishing design and network with a lot of small publishers, which has become a large part of my business.

2. Limit expectations. If the average Jane off the street is likely to want to hire you, then don’t assume she’ll be able to download, much less open, even the most basic PDF. By the time you finish explaining browser-based PDFs, Acrobat Reader, allowing downloads, file size, etc., you’ll be reaching for the Vodka bottle. So, if you’re going to do that, also offer alternatives: click-through, basic HTML pages online and even, heaven help us, a .doc file or PowerPoint presentation, if possible.
what else should I prepare if my grade is not so high? - Graphic Design Forum and Web Design Forum - December 27th, 2008

[...] is an acceptable alternative. For that, I’d recommend Wordpress. You might also take a look at: The One Page Graphic Design Portfolio Guide Hope this helps. Diana __________________ Print, Web & Email Design for Creatives and [...]
Robin’s Blog » Blog Archive » Building Your Own Portfolio Site - January 15th, 2009

[...] The One Page Graphic Design Portfolio Guide – An article on creating a one page portfolio site with a lot of useful information. [...]
Steve T - January 22nd, 2009

Great list! I disagree with #10 a bit though, my Google ads pay for my hosting and then some each year. But really that’s only because my portfolio website is full blown portfolio website and I get some search engine traffic. But yeah, for most portfolio/resume website ads are not appropriate.
Bengacreative - March 3rd, 2009

Insightful guide, check out my one page folio site. http://www.bengacreative.com.
Here is also a good link. http://www.onepagelove.com
Matthias Dittrich - March 17th, 2009

Nice Post. Very useful. Thank you!
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25 One Page Portfolio Websites of Designers on Twitter | The Design Cubicle - May 12th, 2009

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ad creative - June 20th, 2009

Can somebody review my online portfolio please. I am awaiting your valuable feedback!
muhammad waseem - June 24th, 2009

Thanks for the info. Your content is interesting and informative. Keep up the good work Gino!!
IdealHut - June 30th, 2009

Great collection!
darkClone - July 29th, 2009

Invaluable infomation!

Real glad I happened upon your site,

Thanks!
Douglas Bonneville - September 1st, 2009

I have a one page web design. Of course I’m biased now that I have one, but I think it puts the client first. Clients want to see what you offer as soon as they get to the site. With a little gallery javascript goodness to make a nice no-page-refresh experience, it seems hard to beat the format. It’s basically a business card on steroids. My wife and I worked on the same design together, mine at http://www.bonfx.com and hers at http://www.marybonneville.com
Douglas Bonneville - September 3rd, 2009

I should also mention this great thread on the same topic of one-page layouts. There are some links to other articles and great examples on it:

http://typesites.com/black-estate/
Jordan W. Lee - September 3rd, 2009

http://getysyncopated.com and http://syncopate.me are nice one page designs as well!
Advanced Media Lab, College of Design » Tutorials lecture » Portfolio Website Primer + Introduction - September 9th, 2009

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Michael Austin's Portfolio - September 15th, 2009

Thanks for the tips! I went with a one page portfolio myself
Deb Tremper - September 18th, 2009

Great information. Very helpful. Thanks!
65 New Examples Of Beautiful Single Page Website Designs - Posted In Others | carangeblog - CARA ngeBLOG - September 18th, 2009

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