Here's a video walking you through how to make a one-pager 👇
When to use it
Use one-pagers when you want to communicate a complex topic or message in a simple way. This can include:
- Creating a company overview
- Technical brief/overview
- Marketing material for a program or event
- Proposal overview, which can accompany a longer document
- Summarizing recommendations
- Explaining a complex topic/subject
When not to use it
- If you have too much information, then don't use a one-pager. Instead, use something like a standalone deck, website, or article.
Best Practices
Content
- Always think about your reader - make sure everything you write adds value.
- Take complex information and make it simple for the reader to understand.
- Use icons, lists, and diagrams to help you get your information across.
- If you have a lot of content, you can have more than one page.
General Design
- Before you start making your one-pager, draw out a wireframe first!
- Have a white background.
- Don't use bright colors.
- Make sure text is easy to read (don't put text on top of pictures that make it hard to see).
- Headers can be a different color, but not a bright color.
Font
- Keep it small. Large fonts will make your document look messy.
- Suggested font styles: Lato, Helvetica, or Avenir.
- Make sure you use the same font throughout your document.
Headers
- Keep your headers the same font, but bold them.
- Use descriptive headers when possible.
- Assume your reader only glances through your document, will the header tell a story?
Sectioning
- When you wireframe (draw out) your 1-pager, think about the different sections.
- Each section should have a theme, and you want to make sure those areas are visually separated.
- To separate, you can use lines, a different color background, or a different layout for the next section.
- There is not "right" layout. You can use different styles depending on your goals.
Icons
- Make sure your icons aren't too big that they over power the page. Small icons are usually better.
- Try to make the icons the same colors. If they are different colors, it can get distracting.
- Don't use fancy icons. Go to flaticon.com to find simple icons.
Pictures
- Use simple, clean pictures.
- Make sure the quality is good. Don't use fuzzy pictures.
- Don't use too many pictures. Less is better. Too many pics will clutter the document.
- Only include pictures if they serve a purpose - add value! Don't just add pictures to fill space.
Common Mistakes
Key Changes:
Smaller font size makes a difference.
The text size and style is all the same.
Used bolded headers, but different colors.
White space is a good thing! Don't clutter your document.
Smaller icons look nicer.
Icon colors are lighter and less distracting
Used lines to separate different sections.
Added a "How it works" section to add more value to the reader.
Note: How it works section is not complete, but I'll update when that's done.
Key Changes:
Removed unnecessary information and fluff.
Maximized whitespace.
Added a simple picture that was easy to understand.
Made header more descriptive -> changed "Applications" to "3 Ways Neurable Is Being Used".
Removed grey backgrounds to add simplicity.
Made all font the same size.
Key Changes:
Darkened the header and footer so text was easier to read.
Shortened the intro so people are more likely to read it. People don't want to read big blocks of text, it's scary.
Added description of Lexicon and Machine Learning under the headers. In the first version, the reader doesn't know what that means unless they read the first paragraph above. But if they skip it, the reader will be confused on the next section.
Maximized white space by removing middle grey box and adding in lines. I kept the grey box on the headers to emphasize the sections.
Decreased icon size.
Removed dark blue box - too distracting and feels cluttered.
Key Changes
Colors match the logo colors.
More white space.
Reorganized the sections.
Note: don't use bright colours, distracting for the eye.
Key Changes
Colour scheme is cleaner, more professional.
Icons and circles are smaller.
Text is all the same size.
Good Examples:
