Let’s talk Canva.
I know Canva sometimes gets a “bad rap”, but honestly I can’t figure out why. It is an incredible platform that empowers individuals with limited design skills to produce professional-looking graphics, presentations, and marketing materials.
↳ MEANING – you DON’T have to spend your VALUABLE TIME adding ‘Graphic Designer’ to your never-ending list of things you do in your business.
To help entrepreneurs and small businesses effectively utilise Canva, I wanted to share some of my favourite tips and tricks that can save you hours of design time.
Mastering Canva’s Hidden Shortcuts:
Efficiency is key, especially when you’re managing your own business. Canva offers a range of keyboard shortcuts that can significantly speed up your design workflow. Here are a few essential shortcuts to remember:
- Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac): Duplicate selected elements or objects instantly.
- Ctrl + G (Cmd + G on Mac): Group selected elements to maintain their relative positions.
- Ctrl + Shift + K (Cmd + Opt + K on Mac): Unlink a group of elements, allowing you to move or edit them independently.
- Ctrl + Z (Cmd + Z on Mac): Undo your last action, a lifesaver for those “oops” moments.
By incorporating these shortcuts into your routine, you’ll navigate Canva like a pro, saving time and streamlining your design process.
Utilising Canva’s Brand Kit and Templates for Consistency:
Maintaining a consistent brand identity is crucial for building recognition and trust. Canva’s Brand Kit feature enables you to store and access your brand’s colours, fonts, and logos in one centralised location. Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Define Your Brand Kit: Go to the Brand Kit section in Canva. Here you can input your brand’s primary and secondary colours, upload your logo, and set your brand fonts.
- Create and Save Custom Templates: Design templates for your social media posts, presentations, or any recurring content. Save them as templates for easy access, ensuring that your brand’s visual elements remain consistent across all materials.
By using the Brand Kit and templates, you’ll save time. Also, reinforce a cohesive brand image that resonates with your audience.
Exploring Canva Pro Features for Advanced Design:
While Canva’s free version is powerful, upgrading to Canva Pro unlocks a host of advanced features that can take your designs to the next level. Here are some Pro features worth exploring:
- Access to Premium Elements: Gain access to a vast library of premium stock photos, illustrations, and templates.
- Magic Resize: Instantly resize your designs to fit various platforms and formats with just a few clicks, saving you time and effort.
- Brand Control: With Canva Pro, you can set up brand controls, ensuring that your team adheres to your brand guidelines when creating designs collaboratively.
Canva is a game-changer for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to create stunning visuals without the need for extensive design expertise. By incorporating these three tips—mastering shortcuts, utilising the Brand Kit, and exploring Canva Pro features—you’ll streamline your design process. Additionally, you’ll elevate the overall quality and consistency of your brand’s visual identity. Get ready to unleash your creativity and make a lasting impression in the digital landscape.
