Introduction
Need some graphic design magic but don't have the skills? Hiring a professional designer isn't an option right now? No worries!
When I left the corporate world to start my own business, I quickly realized that I needed graphic design to establish my brand across all my online platforms. As a start-up company bootstrapping its way to success, hiring a graphic designer was simply not in the budget. So, I had to get creative with my content needs, and luckily, I discovered Canva, which gave me the tools I needed to compete.
In today's digital landscape, standing out without professional-looking content is like losing a toddler in the shopping mall. Therefore, getting noticed means creating an even playing field with your content. And Canva is your answer. Think of it as your virtual design assistant, available for just a fraction of the cost.
In this blog post, I’ll share some design tips for all of us non-designers to help you create stunning content using Canva. Whether you're a blogger, social media manager, or small business owner, these tips will empower you to elevate your visuals and shine in a heavily crowded space.
Visuals are Everything!
Let’s be real—what stops you in your daily scrolling? Stunning visuals! We're all programmed to scroll until something catches our eye. That's because humans have been drawn to appealing aesthetics since the beginning of time. And where better to start than with your brand?
Your brand is you name, logo, colors, fonts, and style. It should be easily recognizable and consistent across all platforms—from your website to your social media. One of Canva's best features is its ability to help you create a brand template or palette that not only identifies you but sets you apart in your niche.
Ask a professional to create a brand kit and you could be looking at anything from $100 to $1000s. So, keep that precious coin in your pocket for now and use Canva to create your customizable brand kit instead.
Begin by searching popular companies online for aesthetics you like to use as inspiration. Then sit back and carefully consider what you want your brand to say when people see it. Now you can go into Canva, pull up a template and start experimenting with the look and feel that best represents your product or service. (For instance my colors are grey, black and white with a pop of pink) that I feel conveys a business feel with a touch of feminine.
A brand kit should capture your brand identity; from the logos, colors, and fonts, all contained in a reusable brand kit. Start with a distinctive logo and color palette that flows across your platforms. Add don't forget things like company swag, in case you want to create tee shirts, mugs, or pens in the future. Using Canva for these elements can help you present a professional look that gets your company noticed!
Need handouts, brochures, invitations, or welcome kits? You can create them all with Canva! The platform offers professionally crafted templates that serve as excellent starting points for your designs.
When selecting a template, consider the theme and purpose of your content. Are you going for a sleek and modern vibe, or something playful and colorful? Canva has a wide variety of templates to suit different styles, so take your time exploring your options.
And don’t hesitate to customize the templates to make them uniquely yours! Change the colors, fonts, and images to align with your brand identity. With Canva's user-friendly interface, you can easily drag and drop elements to create a design that reflects your creative vision.
Utilize Design Elements
Effective design is all about balance and harmony. Enhance your visuals by incorporating various design elements like shapes, icons, and illustrations. These elements can help break up text, add visual interest, and guide the viewer's eye across your design.
Remember the principles of design: contrast, alignment, repetition, and proximity. For instance, use contrasting colors for visual impact, align elements for order, repeat design elements for consistency, and group related elements for a cohesive look.
Feel free to experiment with different design elements to find what works best for your content. The key is to play around with shapes, textures, and patterns to add depth and dimension. There are no mistakes—only lessons learned! Over time, you'll develop an intuitive sense of what looks good. If you're ever in doubt, check out other templates for inspiration. The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity flow! And don’t forget to check out the countless things you can create with Canva using this free download.
Use Templates as a Creative Springboard
Over the past five years, I’ve created thousands of pieces of material in Canva; some for clients, but most for my brand and social media posts. Honestly, I rarely use a template as is; I customize it about 95% of the time, especially if I plan to monetize it.
I even designed my book cover, Simple and Easy Tools for Communication: Skillfully Navigate Life's Tough Conversations, in Canva. I took a professional photo, removed the background, and placed it on a page with some attractive text. I've also used Canva for brochures, contracts, proposals, business cards, Instagram reels, Pinterest posts, and much more.
Just a note: Canva’s licensing recommends that you change at least three elements of a template before using it. You can read more about their licensing in Canva Content Licensing Explained. This is to respect the work of the thousands of creators whose designs are on the platform. So, I suggest changing a font, a color, and another element before using a template.
Conclusion
Don't let a lack of experience intimidate you! Canva was designed for folks like you and me who may not have graphic design skills. Yes, you can sit at the graphic design table! Designing stunning visuals doesn’t have to be a daunting task (let’s leave daunting to traditional designers). Instead, use Canva to elevate your visual content and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
As a special BONUS, I've packed tons of content about how Canva can help save you time and money into my FREE Guide to Growing Your Business with Canva. Grab your copy today and discover the marvelous world of Canva!
Welcome to Planet Canva, my friend! Have fun creating. I can't wait to see you on the playing field!
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