Canva is a simplified Graphic Design tool, whose popularity is attributed to the ease of use and the infinity of tools it provides including its free version. Canva can be used from the computer (Website) or from the mobile (app or web version).

7 Basic Canva Tricks to Improve Your Designs

Canva allows anyone to use it. The ease of having different templates makes it easy for beginners to work with. So much so, that even students of any educational level can use it: from children to teenagers and adults. It is not only a tool for professionals, but it has also been used as an educational tool.

Is it necessary to invest in the image of my brand? Of course! the image of your brand will allow, among other things, to position you; moreover, the image alone can attract potential customers. Never underestimate the power of image.

Canva has over 60 million photos and nearly 5 million vectors, graphics and fonts. It also has a wide portfolio of template and resource options (see images below). Its tools include templates, photo editing, a variety of typography, stickers, animations, icons and images. Free Canva is a good alternative for those who are just starting out, Canva Pro is recommended for those who need to disable all of Canva’s features.

Topic

Canva design
graphic

Method

Theory by
the blog

Goal

Creating
layouts

More info

Like everything in life, Canva has particularities that you should know if you want to get the most out of it, that’s why, below, we present you 7 basic Canva tricks to improve your designs.

1. Use proper filters on your photos to generate brand identity

Filters are fundamental to give brand identity to your publications and designs. Keeping the same filter is essential for designs to be visually consistent and maintain harmony. An Instagram feed, for example, that has the same filter on all its photos looks better than a feed that mixes concepts and is not clear about its identity. The point is to maintain a predetermined aesthetic. Aesthetics attract or alienate a potential customer, don’t forget that.

2. Maximize the power of fonts

Keeping the same typography is fundamental for brand identity, however, this does not mean that a single font will be used, the idea is to be able to play with several typographies that are aesthetically related to dynamize your designs. You must understand that each type of business has a typography that will be more appropriate, also, you must take into account the logo of your brand. Play with the size, alignment, bold, italics, spacing and line spacing. A good typography will make an impact and make your designs attractive, otherwise, nobody will want to read your design.

The objective must be to generate visually attractive content with a specific aesthetic, this includes tones, filters, colors and typography. The client must be able to identify the characteristic features of your brand identity. This way, you position yourself.

3. Duplicate your posts to save time and maintain the template

To keep the same aesthetics, filters, fonts and design idea it is possible for you to duplicate a post or page and start working as if your custom design is a template that you can use and edit at your convenience. You can duplicate and then edit specific things like text, graphics or photos. It also allows you to test the same content, but through different layouts, so you can evaluate which one works best for you. Not only do you save time, but you avoid overlooking design details and thus avoid losing brand identity in your designs.

4. Use templates, but give it your touch

The best thing about Canva is the varied templates it offers, but the idea is not that you use it as is, but that you use it as a base and give it the touch of your brand: colors, typography and filters. Using the templates as they are presented by canva makes you run the risk of another brand doing the same and you end up having repeated designs, the worst! There is nothing better than being original. Use the templates to optimize, but don’t forget that copying is not the most recommended, use your ideas!

5. Make your designs dynamic

Use arrows, waves, alternatives with movement… this will prevent your designs from being flat. For example, in an Instagram carousel, use arrows to indicate image rotation, or in Instagram stories with swipe up, use arrows with movement to indicate users to do so: they are details, but they will make your designs more attractive, don’t bore viewers.

Need Graphic Design Consulting at Canva?

Create the right visual content, keeping the right aesthetics and brand identity will allow you to position yourself in the best way in the media, and thus, increase your chances of reaching potential customers. Canva is the tool that can help you for this purpose. Interested?

Click and select

6. Be careful with margins

Margins were invented for good reasons, don’t forget to keep them in mind. Keeping margins in mind will allow you to better design footers or headers without making the design look too cluttered. In addition, it makes the design look less cluttered and more aesthetic.

7. When downloading, choose the format, size and resolution well

Canva recommends the most suitable format for each design, however, you can choose the one that suits you best. You have to keep your goals in mind: you can’t download a PDF of a post on Instagram. Also, the resolution: for image platforms such as Pinterest or Instagram it is essential to use the best quality and resolution, and keep the right size. On the other hand, if you are going to use your designs to put them on your blog or Website, it is necessary to lower the resolution a bit and adjust the size so that it is not too heavy.