One-Page Portfolios: Trends and Showcase
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The portfolio site is an important asset for any designer or agency. Many potential clients will base their decision of what designer to hire in part on the quality of the portfolio itself, in addition to the work samples showcased on that portfolio site.
One approach to creating a portfolio site that will stand out is to go with a one-page site. Rather than having separate pages for the designer bio, description services, and for specific items showcased in the portfolio, everything can be included on one page.
In this post, we’ll take a detailed look at one-page portfolios, including a showcase of many excellent examples. We’ll also look at some of the common elements and characteristics that you’ll find with many one-page portfolios. In addition to the beautiful examples that you’ll find in this post, if you want even more examples there are a few gallery sites that focus exclusively on one-page sites. One Page Love and One Page Mania are both worth browsing.
Related: How to Create Your Own Portfolio Website
Common Characteristics Found on One-Page Portfolios
Before we move on to the showcase of one-page portfolios, let’s look at some of their common characteristics. Of course, none of these characteristics will apply to every single one-page portfolio, but they are common.
Navigation Menus
Despite only having one page it is very common for a navigation menu to be included. With the menu, it’s sometimes difficult to even know that a site is just one page until you click one of the links or scroll through the site. The navigation will lead visitors to specific sections of the site so they don’t have to scroll manually, making it easier to find certain content and areas of the site. jQuery sliding effects are commonly used when a visitor clicks on one of these links.
Scrolling Effects
Since most one-page sites are rather long, a lot of scrolling can be involved even if a navigation menu is included. Some designers take this as an opportunity to include special scrolling effects that can enhance the user experience and make the site more fun and entertaining. Parallax scrolling is one common effect that is used.
Limited Content
Because everything on the site is included in just one page, in most cases the content is a little condensed. Instead of having a long, detailed bio, just a start paragraph may be used. Service descriptions are often very short, maybe even just a list or statement of what the designer or agency does. One-page portfolios also often showcase fewer items as compared to multi-page portfolios.
Responsive Design and Layout
Responsive design is a must-have in today’s website world, so if your site isn’t responsive, it can feel outdated to most onlookers. So before you refine your site design, make sure to have a functional, responsive design.
Showcase of One-Page Portfolios:
Jar Design
About this site:
- The bright color scheme of this design looks great.
- There are some creative effects as you scroll and move your mouse.
- As you scroll down you’ll see a description of their process. Then further down the page are five work samples.
Shaun Weaver
About this site:
- This site includes a navigation menu at the top right of the screen. If you click on those links you’ll slide to a specific section of the page.
- A 3-paragraph bio is included.
- 10 work samples are showcased. When you click on one of the images it will open more information about the project and the client.
Leeann Pica
About this site:
- Work samples are showcased.
- A brief statement about the designer is included in the “About” section.
Barnyard
About this site:
- A full-screen animiated slideshow captures your attention as soon as you arrive on the site.
- The design includes a number of illustrations.
- This site includes more content than most one-page portfolios. The navigation menu in the header will lead you to any section of the page, and the menu sticks to the top of the browser as you scroll.
- Clients are listed, but specific work samples are not shown.
Soumya Bishi
About this site:
- A trendy flat design style a pleasing color scheme are noteworthy features of this design.
- The site includes a very brief bio (1 paragraph) and 6 portfolio items are showcased.
Evan Knight
About this site:
- A very light color scheme and clean design characterize this portfolio site.
- Brief bio information is included.
- Eight different portfolio items are showcased. If you click on a link it opens more information about each project.
Casper Odendaal
About this site:
- A large, dark background image features prominently in this design.
- Five work samples are shown. If you click on any of them it will open a screen with more information about the project.
- No bio or service description is included.
Michele Mazzucco
About this site:
- If you click on the navigation icon in the header it opens a menu.
- A bio is included, along with a brief description of the services provided.
- Six thumbnails from work samples are showcased, along with links to Dribbble and Behance for more images and details.
Keegan Burkett
About this site:
- This site includes a 1-paragraph bio, as well as a brief description of the services offered.
- One recent work sample is showcased.
- Click on the navigation icon to open the menu.
Tyler Somers
About this site:
- A navigation menu is included in the header, and it sticks to the top of the screen as you scroll down.
- Eight work samples are shown, and when you click on any of the images it opens a screen with additional images and a project description.
- Contact information is displayed if you click on the “Contact” link in the navigation menu.
Mohammed Bilal
About this site:
- The site includes a full navigation menu. As you scroll down the page the menu sticks to the top of the browser.
- More than 20 work samples are shown, including concepts in addtion to client projects. Clicking on some of the will lead you to Dribbble.
- Icons are used to lay out his 4-step process.
Dolox
About this site:
- This colorful site features a changing background color.
- Some animation effects are used as you scroll down the page.
- Their 4-step process is laid out as you scroll down.
- Service descriptions and severl work samples are shown lower.
James Hsu
About this site:
- The site includes a sticky header and navigation menu.
- Several different large background photos hold a prominent place in the design as you scroll down.
- Six different work samples are showcased.
ISOflow
About this site:
- Ten different work samples are shown. As you hover over the image it shows a brief description of the project.
- Lower on the page, photos, names, and job descriptions are shown for all of the team members.
Edwin Eddie Diaz
About this site:
- The sticky header and navigation menu make it easy to find the different sections of this one-page site.
- Work samples are shown in sleek way.
Markus Schott
About this site:
- This portfolio site includes a brief bio.
- Skills are listed right at the start
- Links are at the bottom for you to view his work samples.
Vtr
About this site:
- A brief bio and contact information are included.
- Three work samples are displayed, as well as some details about each project.
- Social media icons link to the designer’s profiles both in the header and footer.
For more inspiration, see:
