Ever been stuck on a presentation that feels more like a sleep-inducing lecture? We've all been there. Whether you’re prepping for a class lecture, a group project, your dissertation defense, or a program budget update, Canva can help you take your presentations from “meh” to memorable! If you haven't tried Canva yet, it’s an easy-to-use design tool that’s perfect for students, staff and instructors on the go. In this blog, we’ll explore five simple ways to enhance your presentations using Canva. Ready to upgrade your slides? Let’s dive in!
1. Create Presentations Outlines Using Magic Design for Presentations
Canva’s Magic Studio feature can be a lifesaver when you’re short on inspiration for your slideshow. It uses AI to suggest designs based on your content, helping you create a visually appealing presentation in minutes. You can use it to develop an outline for your slides, making it easier to organize your thoughts and structure your content. Keep in mind that this is just a starting point - Magic Design can help speed up your process, but it doesn’t replace your own creativity and judgment! While Magic Design is available with a free account there may be limitations on how many slideshows you can create at a time. Explore Magic Studio and find many more ways to enhance your presentation such as creating custom images, text, or video!
To unlock the full insights, watch the video, "Visualize your ideas with Magic Design AI: Magic Presentations, Layouts, styles and the Draw App." (Length 5:55)
2. Templates and Template Designs
Canva offers plenty of templates to suit any presentation topic, making it easy for you to find a design that matches your vision. Simply search for templates based on your subject or theme, and you'll discover a variety of options with pre-made slides that showcase unique layouts, color schemes, and font combinations. While the templates themselves may not contain the exact content you need, they provide a creative foundation for building visually stunning slides. If you’re looking to maintain consistency without changing your entire presentation, you can apply the color scheme and font type from a chosen template to your existing slides. This allows you to keep your own content while enhancing the overall aesthetics of your presentation.
To dive deeper, watch the video, "Canva for Beginners: Using Templates (2/10)." (Length 4:55)
3. Using Frames to Highlight Images
Frames in Canva are pre-cut shapes that let you easily drag and drop images, automatically cropping them to fit the frame’s outline, giving your presentation a polished and professional look. By using frames, you can creatively showcase images or videos, drawing attention to key visuals in your slideshow. To find frames in Canva, simply head to the “Elements” tab and search for “frames” in the search bar. You'll discover a variety of options, from simple geometric shapes to more intricate designs, such as circles, diamonds, and even custom shapes. Frames add a stylish touch to your slides, helping you highlight your images and videos in a more visually appealing and engaging way.
To use a frame, simply add it to your slide and then drag and drop your chosen image or video on top of it. The content will automatically adjust to fit the frame, making your visuals look sharp and intentional. Want to focus on a specific part of the image or video? Just double-click on it, and you can move or resize the content within the frame to highlight the perfect section. Frames offer a seamless way to elevate your slides and keep your audience engaged!
To learn more, watch the video, "Use frames, grids and shapes." (Length 4:49)
4. Animations and Transitions
Canva's animations and transitions take your presentations to the next level by adding movement and flair to your slides. Unlike traditional presentation tools like PowerPoint, Canva offers a diverse range of animation effects that can be applied to individual elements like text, images, or shapes. To achieve these effects, simply select the element you want to animate, then click on the “Animate” button to choose from various options such as fades, bounces, or slides. You can also customize the timing and duration of the animations to suit your style. When it comes to transitions, Canva offers a smooth, modern set of options between slides, from dynamic fades to eye-catching wipes. Experimenting with these advanced animations and transitions can help keep your audience engaged and make your presentation stand out.
For example: You can create an illusion of 3D or depth within your slideshow using Canva, by applying a zoom effect to an image or a graphic element. To achieve this effect, start by selecting the element you want to animate. Then, click the “Animate” button and choose the "Zoom" option from the list of effects. You can customize the zoom direction, choosing to zoom in for a closer look or zoom out for a wider perspective. Adjust the duration and intensity to control the speed and impact of the effect.
To unlock additional insights, watch the video, "Using animations and transitions in video editing." (Length 20:59)
5. Develop Graphics to Highlight Statistics
Creating statistical graphics in Canva is a simple yet effective way to present data in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format. You can use a variety of design elements such as charts, icons, and shapes to bring your data to life and make your points more memorable. Canva's infographic feature under charts makes it easy to create visually engaging statistical graphics to highlight your data. For example, to highlight a statistic like "only 1 in 4 Americans do exercise enough," you could use a series of four little human icons, with one of them in a different color to represent the 25% who exercise enough.
Here's how you can use this feature:
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Navigate to Charts: In Canva, go to the “Elements” tab, then select “Charts” from the list of options. You'll find the “Infographic” section within the chart types.
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Choose an Infographic: Browse through the various infographic templates to find one that suits your needs. Look for a design that includes icons or graphics, such as people figures.
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Customize the Infographic: Once you select a template, customize it to fit your statistic. Replace any existing icons or graphics with the little man figures. Canva has a variety of icons you can use, so search for "human" or similar terms to find the right images.
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Modify the Icons: Arrange the little human figures to represent your data. For instance, use a row of four icons, coloring one of them differently to signify the 1 in 4 Americans who exercise enough.
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Add Text and Labels: Use text boxes to label the graphic and provide context. Add the statistic as a title or caption to make sure the audience understands the information being presented.
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Adjust Style: Customize colors, fonts, and other design elements to match your presentation style and enhance visual appeal.
Once you've finished customizing the infographic, it will serve as an impactful visual representation of the statistic. Infographics can help simplify complex data and keep your audience engaged, making your presentation more effective overall.
To watch and discover more, watch the video, "The Easy Way to Create Graphs & Charts | Tip Talk 13." (Length 3:08)
With Canva’s tools, you can easily elevate your presentations by using features like Magic Design, frames, animations, and custom infographics. Whether you're a student, faculty member, or staff member, these tips will help you create polished, engaging slideshows. While there are paid accounts available for Canva, all recommendations shared are available to users with a free account. Try Canva for your next project and make it stand out!