A basic guide to using Canva
Getting Started
Visit the Canva website and sign up for a free account.
Once you're logged in, you'll be greeted with the Canva dashboard.
Exploring the Canva Dashboard
The dashboard is where you can access all your designs and find various design templates.
On the left side, you'll find the main navigation menu, including options like Templates, Design types, Elements, Text, Background, and more.
The middle section displays the templates by design type - think presentations, social media posts, posters, etc.
To the right you can access your folders, recently edited designs, and team collaboration options.
Creating a Design
Click on the ‘Templates’ option in the left navigation menu to browse through available design templates.
Choose one that suits the channel you’re aiming for, or start with a blank canvas by selecting the ‘Custom dimensions’ option.
Once you've selected a template or custom canvas size, the Canva editor will open.
Using the Canva Editor
This is where you’ll customise your design. On the left side of the editor, you'll find a toolbar that includes a range of options, such as adding text, elements, images, and backgrounds.
The top toolbar also allows you to undo/redo changes, align objects, adjust the size and position of elements, change fonts, and apply various styling options.
To add text, click on the ‘Text’ option in the left toolbar and choose a text style. Double-click on the text placeholder to edit it.
To add elements like shapes, icons, or lines, click on the ‘Elements’ option in the left toolbar and choose from the available options.
To upload images or use stock photos, click on the ‘Uploads’ tab in the left toolbar or search for images in the ‘Photos’ tab.
Then customise your design by adding, resizing, repositioning, and formatting as much as you need to.
Saving and Downloading
To save your design, click on the ‘Publish’ button in the top right corner of the editor.
Enter a name for your design and select the desired folder.
Once saved, you can access your designs from the Canva dashboard.
To download your design, click on the ‘Download’ button from the drop-down menu choose the desired file format (e.g., PNG, JPG, PDF, etc.).
Collaborating and Sharing
Canva also allows you to collaborate with others on your designs.
To invite team members to collaborate, click on the ‘Share’ button in the top right corner of the editor and enter their email addresses.
You can also generate a shareable link to allow others to view or edit your designs, and set the access levels for collaborators.
Additional Features
Canva offers various additional features such as image cropping, photo filters, image transparency, and image resizing. Play around with these different options from the toolbar to see how you can enhance your design.