Canva Basics Refresher
Canva Basics Refresher
Welcome back!
If you attended the Canva Basics workshop, this page reinforces the key ideas so you can keep building confidence at your own pace.
THE 3 DESIGN RULES
The workshop focused on three simple design principles that make almost any design clearer and more effective.
Less is More
One design equals
One clear message.
If it doesn’t help the message, remove it.
Readability First
Big. Clear.
High contrast.
If it’s hard to read, it doesn’t matter how pretty it is.
Consistency
Use the same colours, fonts and layout style.
Consistency builds trust
CANVA LAYOUT
Mouse over the green hot spots in the images below to explain each feature on the pages.
This is only available on a computer. Limited information on tablet and phone.
Tip:
Most tools in Canva appear only after you select an object. If you can’t see a tool,
try clicking on the element you want to edit.
Left Sidebar – Design Tools
The left sidebar is where you access the main tools used to build your design. From here you can browse templates, add elements like shapes and photos, insert text, upload your own files, and access Canva’s AI tools and apps. This is typically the first place you will interact with when starting a new design.
Top Toolbar – Element Controls
The top toolbar changes depending on what you have selected in your design. When you click on an image, shape, or other object, this bar displays editing tools such as background removal, cropping, flipping, transparency, positioning, and animation. These tools allow you to adjust and refine individual elements in your design.
Text Toolbar – Text Formatting
When a text box is selected, the toolbar switches to text editing options. Here you can change the font, size, colour, alignment, spacing, and add effects such as shadows or outlines. These tools allow you to control how text looks and behaves within your design.
Main page (first to load - Template page)
When you first open Canva, you will see the main home page, sometimes called the Template Page. This is where most designs begin.
From this page you can:
Search for design types using the search bar (for example: Instagram post, flyer, poster, presentation)
Browse popular templates for different platforms
Access quick actions such as resizing or creating new designs
Use the left sidebar to navigate between design categories like social media, videos, print, and documents
Templates are one of Canva’s most powerful features. They give you a ready-made layout that you can customise by changing the text, images, colours, and fonts.
For beginners, starting with a template is often the fastest way to create a professional-looking design.
Select the type of document you want to create.
Have a look through them and have a play, there is no better way to learn!
Popular document/design sizes - Often what you might be looking for will be in here.
Design type categories
Search bar for document sizes - type what you want to make in here. Ie Flyer
Create a design page - opens from clicking Create button
The Create button in Canva opens the design selection screen. This is where you choose the type of design you want to make.
From here you can:
Search thousands of ready-made templates
Choose common formats like social media posts, presentations, flyers, or posters
Start with a blank design
Select a custom size if you need specific dimensions
Templates are a great starting point for beginners. You can change colours, fonts, images, and layout to suit your own need
Create a new document/design
Takes you to home page with recent designs
Open project page - here you can create folders to keep designs in.
Browse available templates - also the first page that loads on entering Canva when logged in.
A place to manage your brand. Logo, Colours, Typography, Images etc. Pro Feature.
Canva AI generates design ideas, text, and images automatically to help you create content faster.
Apps you can use to extend the abilities of Canva - worth a look!
The Grow feature helps turn a simple design into a larger project,
expanding a post into slides, documents, or additional pages automatically.
Content planner allows you to connect your Social Media accounts and post automatically.
Design School is what it sounds like. Tutorials and courses to upskill at home!
This row of buttons allows for a quicker way to Create/Start specific types of documents
Active design page
The Active Design Page is where you actually build and edit your design.
This workspace includes:
The design canvas in the centre where your layout appears
The left-hand toolbar for adding text, images, shapes, and elements
The top toolbar which changes depending on what object you select
The share and download options in the top right corner
To edit something, simply click on it. Canva will show the tools you need to adjust that object.
This workspace is designed to make design simple — most actions are done by clicking, dragging, and adjusting settings in the toolbar.
SideBar: Browse pre-designed layouts you can apply to your design
Returns to the home Template page
File Menu containing various page
settings and actions. Expanded breakdown below.
Resize your document - Canva Pro feature
Current mode - Editing, Commenting, Viewing
Undo button - Undo last action - can click multiple times
Redo button - Redo last undone action - can also be clicked multiple times.
Changes saved indicator and action history
Document Name
Share button - one way to share and download your document. Expanded breakdown shown below.
SideBar: Add shapes, icons, photos, illustrations, charts, and other design elements to your page.
SideBar: Insert headings, subheadings, and body text, or choose from styled text combinations.
SideBar: Access your brand kit including logos, colours, and fonts to keep designs consistent. Canva Pro Feature
SideBar: Upload your own photos, videos, and files to use directly in your designs.
SideBar: Access additional Canva tools such as drawing, QR codes, charts, and other specialised features.
SideBar: View and access your saved designs, folders, and recent projects.
SideBar: Connect external apps and tools to Canva to expand what you can create.
SideBar: Use AI to generate images, graphics, and videos from a simple text prompt.
SideBar: Add music or sound effects to your design or video project.
SideBar: Browse textures, colours, and images to use as the background of your design.
Apps & Recent documents folders displayed here. Will change for you,
depending on your apps and what you have opened.
Tool Bar. This bar is contextual. Will change when editing
image/text/shape etc. See below for examples of each type.
Ask Canva Bar - See below for breakdown
Image Tool Bar
When an image or photo is selected in Canva, the Image Tool Bar appears at the top of the screen. These tools allow you to quickly edit and adjust your image.
Common actions include:
Edit / Adjust the colours, brightness, and contrast
Remove the background from an image
Erase or refine parts of an image
Flip or reposition the image
Animate the image for social media or presentations
This toolbar helps you quickly customise photos without needing advanced editing skills.
Use Canva’s AI assistant to help edit, generate,
or improve your design using simple prompts.
Open Canva’s image editing tools to adjust colours,
apply filters, or enhance your image.
Automatically replace or transform the background of an image using AI.
Canva Pro Feature
Remove the background from an image to isolate the subject.
Canva Pro Feature
Manually erase parts of an image or background
removal to refine the result.
Change or adjust the colour of the selected element.
Trim or resize the visible area of the
selected image or element.
Flip the selected element
horizontally or vertically.
Adjust how transparent or opaque
the selected element appears.
Copy the styling of one element and apply it to another.
Add a comment to the design to leave feedback,
ask questions, or collaborate with others.
Remove the selected element from your design.
Add animation effects to bring movement
to the selected element.
Arrange the element on the page by aligning,
layering, or spacing it with other objects.
Text Tool Bar
When you select a text box, Canva displays the Text Tool Bar. This menu contains all the controls used to style and format text.
Here you can:
Change the font and size
Adjust colour, bold, italics, and underline
Control alignment and spacing
Add text effects such as shadows or outlines
Animate text for videos or presentations
Using this toolbar allows you to quickly adjust the look and readability of your text.
Choose the typeface used for the selected text.
Adjust the size of the selected text.
Change the colour of the selected text.
Make the selected text thicker and more prominent.
Add a strike through to the selected text
Add a line beneath the selected text.
Add a strike through the selected text.
Change the capitalisation of the selected text
(uppercase, lowercase, etc.).
Align the text left, centre, or right within the text box.
Create bulleted or numbered lists from your text.
Adjust the space between lines of text and between letters.
Adjust how transparent or opaque the selected element appears.
Apply visual styles such as shadow, outline, curve, or lift to your text.
Add animation effects to make the text move or appear dynamically.
Control how the text is layered and aligned with other elements on the page.
Copy the styling of this text and apply it to another element.
Shape Tool Bar
When a shape or graphic element is selected, the Shape Tool Bar appears. This menu allows you to customise the appearance and position of shapes.
Common tools include:
Changing the colour or style of the shape
Adjusting alignment and positioning
Flipping or rotating the shape
Animating shapes for visual interest
Layering shapes using the Position tool
Shapes are often used as background highlights, dividers, or containers for text, helping improve readability and visual structure in a design.
Open editing options for the selected shape or graphic element.
Change the fill colour of the selected shape.
Adjust the style or thickness of the shape’s outline.
Change how rounded the corners of the shape appear.
Trim or resize the visible area of the shape.
Flip the shape horizontally or vertically.
Adjust how transparent or opaque the shape appears.
Add motion or animation effects to the shape.
Control how the shape is layered and aligned
with other elements in the design.
Quickly apply preset colour and design
styles to the selected shape.
File Menu
The File Menu in Canva contains options for managing your design, saving your work, exporting files, and accessing additional settings. This menu is used when you want to organise, download, or control how your design is stored and shared.
Rename your design and view details such as the design type,
creator, and dimensions.
Start a new Canva design without leaving your current project.
Upload images, videos, or other files to use in your design.
Access design settings and configuration options.
View accessibility tools and options to improve readability and usability.
Canva automatically saves your work, but this shows
the current save status.
Allow the design to be accessed and edited
without an internet connection (when supported).
Move the design to a different folder within your Canva projects.
Create a duplicate version of the design so you
can edit it without affecting the original.
Export your design in formats such as PNG, JPG, PDF, or MP4.
View and restore previous versions of your design.
Delete the design and move it to your Canva trash.
Quickly locate and replace words or phrases throughout your design.
Open the design in the Canva desktop application if it is installed.
Send feedback or suggestions to the Canva team.
Report a design if it violates Canva’s policies or guidelines.
Download Menu
The Download menu in Canva allows you to export your design as a file so it can be shared, printed, or uploaded elsewhere. This menu lets you choose the file format, adjust the quality, and control additional export settings.
Choose the format you want to download your design in,
such as PNG, JPG, PDF, MP4, or GIF, depending on the type of project.
Adjust the resolution of your design. Increasing the size can
improve image quality for printing or large displays.
Reduce the file size of the download to make it easier to upload or share online.
Compress the file to reduce storage space,
though this may slightly reduce image quality.
Remove the background from the design so only the main elements remain.
This is useful for logos and graphics.
Remember your current download settings so they can be
reused the next time you export a design.
Export and save the design to your device using the selected settings.
Telling you how much the premium elements in your design would be worth.
Canva Premium Needed
Share Button Menu
The Share button in Canva allows you to share your design with others, control who can access it, or export it to different platforms. This menu is commonly used when you want to collaborate, download your work, or publish a design.
Invite people or groups to view, comment on, or edit your design.
Control who can access the design, such as only you,
specific people, or anyone with the link.
Generate a shareable link so others can view
or edit the design depending on the access settings.
Export your design as a file such as PNG, JPG, PDF, or video.
Order professional prints of your design directly through Canva.
Create a link that allows others to view the design in a presentation-style viewer.
Share or export your design directly to supported social media platforms.
Save the design as a reusable template for your team or brand kit.
Open the design in presentation mode for slides or live displays.
Export the design for use in Facebook or Instagram advertising.
View additional sharing, exporting, and publishing options available for the design.
Ask Canva Bar
The Ask Canva bar in Canva provides quick access to Canva’s built-in AI tools. It allows you to ask Canva to generate content, edit images, or make changes to your design using simple prompts. This feature helps speed up the design process by automating tasks that would normally take multiple steps.
Open Canva’s AI assistant to
generate text, images, design ideas,
or editing suggestions.
Quick access to AI-powered
editing tools for modifying images
or elements in your design.
Leave a comment about
this element.
Lock an element in place
so it cannot be accidentally
moved or edited.
Create a copy of the selected element.
Remove the selected element from your design.
Access additional actions and settings for the selected element.
File Type Options
When downloading a design in Canva, you can choose from several file formats depending on how the design will be used. Each format is suited for different purposes such as social media, printing, presentations, or video.
Tip: PNG is usually the best option for social media graphics, while PDF Print is best for professional printing.
A compressed image format that creates smaller file sizes.
Best for sharing images online or when file size needs to be kept small.
A high-quality image format that preserves detail and supports transparent backgrounds.
Commonly used for graphics, logos, and social media posts.
Best for digital documents, email sharing, and online viewing.
Keeps text and layout clear.
Optimised for printing with higher quality and colour accuracy.
A scalable vector format often used for web graphics, icons,
and logos that need to stay sharp at any size.
Used for exporting animated designs or videos with high-quality playback.
A short looping animation format without sound,
often used for simple animated graphics online.
Exports the design as a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation file.
SIMPLE POST FORMULA
Headline (big) + Details (small) + Call to action (what to do next) = POST!
PRACTICE CHALLENGE
The best way to learn Canva is by doing.
Create one simple social post this week using:
1–2 fonts
2–3 colours
One clear message
Export it as a PNG, post it, tag @KoruForm in the post!
Don’t have an active page – email your design to josh@koruform.nz for feedback