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Top tips for using Canva
Canva, the best way to design without a designer (or even with one!).
We absolutely love Canva. Not only because its the go-to easy to use platform full of amazing templates for everything from your very first logo all way through to moving video posts for social media – But also because its an Australian based startup kicking serious goals.
Here we have collated the top tips on how to get started using
Top Tips as curated by Canva.
Limit your typefaces
When selecting a typeface or font for headings, subtitles and body text, use easy to read fonts for simple and effective graphic design. The eye finds it hard to scan multiple typefaces, so stick to a simple collection of fonts. This design uses variants from the Aileron font family, a geometric sans serif typeface that has a simple and modern aesthetic.
Don’t be scared of scale
Apply scale to type, shapes or compositional features that need proportionate emphasis. Use appropriate colours to enhance this technique while making sure suitable typefaces that look good when increased in size. Here, Raleway for the word ‘Scale’ is strong and bold with clear forms.
Use a small color scheme
Choose a color scheme that has 1-3 primary colors and an additional 1-3 secondary colors that contrast and complement each other. Use different tones of the same color for consistency by adjusting brightness for contrast. Finer typefaces will need stronger distinction against a colored background. Here, bright aqua is offset against forest green background for clarity and readability.
Keep your designs simple
Keep it simple, but don’t forget your basics. Make sure every element has a reason to be in the design and keep the number of fonts, colours, shapes and frames to a minimum. Use contrasting tonal colour combinations to text is sharp and easy to read. Applying a solid frame to contain your copy will enhance the compositional structure of a design.
Relax your eyes every now and then
Recharge your creative batteries by taking a break. Relaxation boosts energy and productivity so take a walk, grab a bit to eat, sit in the park to refresh the brain and revitalize the vision.
Use white space
Create a fluid design by surrounding words with white space to let elements breathe. The application of space around text boxes, images and other graphic elements makes a design easier to read. It’s also more likely to attract attention than a cluttered composition.
Trial & error
Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes they are the most important part of the learning experience. Design is all about trial and error so push your designs to the limit because the creative process is often never complete. Don’t like what you see? The ‘undo’ button is always a great friend.