Professional document design

BIDS & PROPOSALS | TECHNICAL REPORTS | CORPORATE REPORTS

Turn complex technical information into clear, professional documents that are easier for your clients to navigate, understand and engage with.

Whether you're preparing a bid, proposal, technical report or board report, I'll help you present your expertise with clarity and confidence.

Let's discuss your document →

Your expertise deserves a document that communicates it clearly.

You've put the time into getting the content right, now it needs to look the part.

Consulting documents often contain complex information, detailed methodologies, technical findings and large amounts of data. Without thoughtful structure and visual hierarchy, even excellent content can become difficult to navigate.

I’ll help transform your technical content into a cohesive, professional documents that make information easier to find, understand and remember.

Document design for consultants and professional services

From a short proposal to a substantial technical report, I'll create a document that is visually consistent, easy to navigate and appropriate for your audience.

Bids & Proposals

Make an important submission look as professional as the expertise behind it.

  • Tender submissions

  • RFP responses

  • Project proposals

  • Capability statements

  • Methodology documents

  • Team profiles

  • Case studies

  • Supporting graphics and diagrams

Technical Reports

Make complex information easier for your readers to navigate and understand.

  • Technical reports

  • Environmental reports

  • Resource management reports

  • Research reports

  • Project reports

  • Executive summaries

  • Research documents

Corporate & Board Reports

Present important information clearly and professionally.

  • Annual reports

  • Board reports

  • Management reports

  • Strategy documents

  • Business reports

  • Performance reports

Other documents

I can also help with:

  • Award submissions

  • Policies and procedures

  • Training guides

  • Specifications

  • Information booklets

  • Handouts

  • Interactive PDFs

Good document design isn't simply about making a report look attractive.

Every design decision should help your reader understand your content and find what they need.

➔ Navigate Clear structure and visual hierarchy help readers quickly find the information they're looking for.

➔ Understand Diagrams, infographics, tables and other visual elements can make complex information easier to digest.

➔ Trust A cohesive document reflects the professionalism and expertise of the organisation behind it.

➔ Remember Well-structured information and purposeful visuals help your key messages stand out.

From complex information to clear communication

  • A line drawing of a circle and a triangle, with dashed lines indicating measurement levels.

    Information Hierarchy

    Create a clear visual structure so readers know what's important and where to look next.

  • A digital infographic showing a bar chart with an upward trending line, a row of four human icons with the first three filled in and the last one empty, and the large percentage text '60%'.

    Infographics

    Condense complex information, statistics or processes into accessible visual formats.

  • Line drawing of a square, a pencil, a fountain pen nib, and a paintbrush, representing writing and creativity.

    Diagrams & illustrations

    Turn complex relationships, methodologies and processes into visuals that are easier to understand.

  • Outline drawing of the lowercase letter 'a' and uppercase letter 'A' on a white background.

    Typography

    Use type, spacing, grids and page structure to create a document that is both professional and easy to read.

  • Outline of New Zealand with speech bubbles and a pie chart.

    Charts, maps & tables

    Present data and information in a way that supports rather than overwhelms the reader.

  • Line drawing of a camera with a photo next to it, featuring mountains and a sun.

    Photography & imagery

    Select and integrate imagery that supports your content and reinforces your visual identity.

Make complex information easier to understand

I'll look at your content and identify where information can be structured, simplified or visualised to make the reader's experience better.

  • Dense text ➔ Clear hierarchy

  • Long paragraphs ➔ Scannable content

  • Complicated processes ➔ Purposeful diagrams

  • Large amounts of data ➔ Accessible information

Let's talk →

A thoughtful approach
to every document

Thoughtful by design

Every design decision has a purpose. I respect your content and use design to support the message.

Precision in practice

Technical documents demand attention to detail. I take care with hierarchy, formatting, consistency and accuracy.

Reliable delivery

Deadlines matter. I'll agree a clear project timeline with you and manage the design process so you know what's happening and when.

A collaborative approach

You know your subject matter. I know visual communication. Together we'll create a document that works for your audience.

“Zoe's reports are high-quality, well laid out and comes from the perspective of asking what the reader needs to see and feel in the way the information is conveyed.”

— Jade Wikaira, Director, Wikaira Consulting

Why work with On Format?

I understand that your document isn't just a design project.

I've spent more than 10 years working within multidisciplinary environmental consultancies, before establishing On Format in 2017.

That experience gave me first-hand insight into the way consultants work, from developing content and responding to clients through to preparing reports, proposals and presentations under deadline.

So you don't need to explain why your 60-page technical report matters. I understand.

The document design process

  • We'll have a 15–30 minute conversation about your project, audience, content, objectives and deadline.

  • I'll send you a short creative brief so we can clarify what's required and establish the scope of the project.

  • I'll prepare a proposal outlining the scope, deliverables, timeframe and investment. Once you're happy to proceed, you'll accept the proposal and we'll confirm the project.

  • I'll develop the visual approach for your document, considering your brand, audience and the nature of your content.

  • I'll develop the document and work with you through the review process, refining the design and incorporating your feedback.

  • You'll receive a professionally designed document that's in the right format, ready to share, present or submit.

Document Design FAQs

  • You'll need to provide your final or near-final content, along with any brand guidelines, logos, images or other assets you'd like included.

    If you're not sure what you need to provide, don't worry. We'll discuss this during our initial conversation and I'll outline what's required.

  • Absolutely. I can work with your existing brand guidelines, colours, fonts, imagery and other brand assets to create a document that feels consistent with your organisation.

  • Yes. This is one of the ways design can add real value to technical documents.

    I can turn processes, methodologies, relationships, data and other complex information into clear visual diagrams, infographics, charts and other information graphics.

  • Yes. The appropriate software will depend on the requirements of your project. I can work with Word, PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Cloud applications to create professional documents and supporting graphics. For the best professional results, I recommend Adobe InDesign for document design projects.

  • Possibly, depending on my availability and the scope of the project.

    If you have a deadline coming up, include the submission date when you enquire and I'll let you know whether I can help.

  • Every document is different, so projects are quoted individually.

    Your quote will take into account the length and complexity of the document, the amount of design work required, the number of visual elements and your timeframe.

  • This depends on the software and type of document. I'll discuss the most appropriate format with you at the beginning of the project so the final document works for your needs.

  • Absolutely. If you've already created the content or an initial document, I can review the existing structure and transform it into a more polished, professional and visually engaging document while retaining your key information.

Have a report, bid or proposal coming up?

Let's talk about what you're working on.

Tell me a little about your document, your audience and your deadline. We'll have a conversation about what you need and how I can help.