Effectively designing a one-pager with Adobe XD – Part 1

With AdobeXD, you can create stunning designs for websites. In particular, one-pagersare very popular as they allow for a concise and clear representation. In this tutorial, you'll learn step by step how to design a one-pager using various techniques. My aim is to show you the different possibilities and provide practical tips that will help you optimize your workflow.

Main Insights

• You will learn how to create an artboard with the ideal web resolution.
• Various techniques for placing images using Adobe XD will be explained.
• Text and button designs will be introduced to create the header.
• The navigation points and their setup in your design will be described.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create a new artboard

Open Adobe XD and use the shortcut A to create a new artboard. Choose the web resolution of 1366x 768 pixels. This size is ideal as it represents the standard resolution for many online applications. Once the artboard is created, zoom in with Command 3 to get a better overview of your workspace. Name your artboard "Onepager" to keep the structure clear.

Step 2: Insert background image

To designthe header area of your one-pager, you will need an appealing image. Open your finder and select an appropriate image. Drag the image via drag-and-drop into your artboard. Make sure to consider the retina/high-resolution for optimal representation. It's important that the image is adjusted to the frame to avoid missing the visibility area.

Step 3: Flexible image placement

Instead of dragging the image directly onto the artboard, use a rectangle tool (shortcut R) to define the desired area. Drag the rectangle to the size that corresponds to the desired image portion. By dragging the image into the rectangle, the image will be automatically cropped, and you can adjust the size of the rectangle without losing the image proportions.

Step 4: Add text

Select the text tool by pressing T and click on the upper left corner of your artboard. Here you can enter the title or placeholder text. To adjust the text, use the character formats from your paragraph styles and choose a suitable font style. For example, a medium font size of 200 could be ideal. Place the text in the desired position before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Design button

Add a button below your text. This can be done by creating a rectangle or by using the button from the assets. An easy and intuitive user interface is crucial for the success of your one-pager. Try to choose button colors that harmonize with your overall design.

Step 6: Create navigation points

To make navigation easier for users, create navigation points. Use the ellipse tool (E) to draw a circle and hold down the shift key to achieve a perfect shape. With the repeat grid, you can now quickly create multiple navigation points. This function allows you to easily adjust the spacing between the circles.

Step 7: Structure and organization

To keep your design layers organized, group the various elements. This will ensure that your design is structured and easy to edit. Name the groups accordingly – for example, "Header" for the top area of your one-pager. Clear organization is especially important when working on larger projects.

Step 8: Fine-tuning

After all elements are positioned, go back and check the font sizes, colors, and spacing. You can further adjust the layout to ensure everything is legible and visually harmonious. Try out various color variations to achieve the desired feel and expressiveness of your design.

Step 9: Logo integration

Finally, insert your logo in the center of your design. This can be done by dragging it from your finder into the desired position. Make sure to size the logo to fit with the rest of the design so that it integrates well and strengthens the brand identity.

Step 10: Conclusion

Review your work and save the project regularly to ensure that no progress is lost. You can create preview views of the design at any time to see how your one-pager looks on different devices.

Summary - Create a one-pager with Adobe XD - Part 1

In this first partof the Adobe XD tutorial, you learned how to create an artboard, apply various techniques for placing images, and insert basic elements like text and buttons. With the steps shown, you can efficiently structure your one-pager and make a top-notch first impression.