Now, other designers, don’t kill me for this. I know…Canva. I will preface this by saying that I work with helping a lot of small businesses get going with immensely necessary startup items; logos, websites, social media, printed marketing material, and more. I definitely use Adobe Creative Suite programs for my designs, but when it comes to setting these clients up for future success (they usually don’t have additional funding for ongoing help and maintenance at this point in their business), I include training in how to use this free tool to create future social media graphics, design flyers, edit video, and more. This is discussed in the initial meeting and added to my quotes. Trust me, when I started my own business, free was what I had to grab onto until I started gaining traction. These clients appreciate free as much as I did in the beginning.
Although there are pre-designed templates, I tend to create designs like social media posts from scratch in Canva. I can then show clients how to take my “templates,” make a copy of them, and then customize them for their future posts. I’ve established their brand pre-Canva, so I take it into Canva and set them up with a good visual foundation of graphics to run with.
Understanding the Workspace
Canva is designed with simplicity in mind, making it accessible even if you have no prior design experience. The intuitive interface, with its drag-and-drop functionality, makes it incredibly easy to use with some practice and tinkering. You can quickly create professional-looking graphics without needing extensive design skills. One of Canva’s standout features is its huge library of free templates that help my clients in that it provides them with a customizable foundation. We all know that a blank canvas can be daunting at times. With thousands of customizable templates, you can find designs for logos, social media posts, business cards, presentations, and more. To get started, begin by browsing the template library. Choose a template that fits your brand’s style and customize it to suit your needs. This can save you a lot of time compared to starting from scratch. Canva’s drag-and-drop functions make it easy to add images, text, and elements to your design. Simply click on an element and drag it into place. Make sure your designs align with your brand’s visual identity by customizing the colors and fonts to match your brand’s guidelines. This helps in creating a cohesive look across everything you create for your company.
Another reason Canva is perfect for startups is its collaborative features. If you’re more than a one-person show, Canva allows you to collaborate with your team in real time. You can share your designs and get feedback, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Whether you need a logo, a social media banner, or a flyer, Canva has it ready to go. The variety of templates and elements available means you have a lot of design freedom.
Personalize your designs by uploading your own images. Whether it’s your logo, product photos, or team pictures, adding personal elements can make your designs more authentic and engaging. Explore the Elements tab for icons, shapes, and illustrations. These can enhance your design and make it stand out more. Familiarize yourself with Canva’s keyboard shortcuts to save time in the design process. Remember, you’ve got a business to run on top of taking care of your marketing. For instance, pressing ‘T’ adds a text box, and ‘R’ adds a rectangle. Use Canva’s grid and alignment tools to ensure your design elements are perfectly aligned, creating clean and professional designs. You’ll see bright pink, pre-set margins pop up as you drag elements around your canvas. These remind you that it’s important to leave some breathing room between the edge of the canvas and your design elements. It also helps to, again, create a cohesive look across all of your artwork. Space is important as much as the design itself.
If you need to create multiple versions of a design, use the Duplicate Page feature. This way, you can make small tweaks without starting from scratch.
Like any new skill, learning and becoming comfortable with Canva takes practice. The more you use it, the more you’ll feel great with its features and capabilities. It is an incredible tool for startups looking to create professional-quality graphics without breaking the bank. You'll be designing like a pro in no time. Keep experimenting, learning, and refining your skills, and you’ll soon see the impact you have in your market.