The more logos I make the more trust I need to handover to clients. To have faith that once everything is done and dusted their brand identity may continue to flourish outside my hands. It’s not easy expecting the everyday person to know the design tips of a graphic designer such as myself: someone who’s spent years studying art and technique just to get it all right.
Believe it or not the thing I want most isn’t my client’s money… it’s the chance to see the art we create together continue to thrive and grow outside my office. The day I get to see one of the brands I’ve crafted drive past me will be a very happy day indeed.
So, to all future clients, existing ones and any others looking on, here are some design tips for Canva: the super free accessible design program open to anyone!
Design Tips (you can use on Canva)
- Margins
Make sure that all important information, like text, starts part way inside the canvas. When you are writing on a piece of paper or a notebook we start our text inside the page, not at the edge.
- Limit your fonts
Having too many fonts can be jarring and confusing. Ideally a design should aim to have 2-3 fonts at most. A header, subheading, and paragraph font.
- Define a colour palette
The most important part of brand consistency is colour. Choose or find a colour palette that works well and make sure to use it across most of your designs. If you are creating a once off design, make sure to pick colours that work well together. Here are some examples of some harmonious colour schemes to help you get started:
- Keep a consistent style
When you’re scrolling Canva’s free asset list my advice is to pick icons that have a similar style. For example, if you use an illustration that has a lot of texture and looks painterly, try not to pair it with a flat and clean cartoon.
- Aim for a mood
Almost every design is made with purpose. Think about what that purpose is and how it makes you feel. For instance, announcing an upcoming sale might make me feel excited, happy, and loud. On the other hand, a wedding invitation can evoke a more reserved feeling of excitement, along with whimsy and elegance. Try to capture these moods and feelings in your design. If you’re struggling, creating a mood board beforehand can help give some guidance.
- Remove one thing
Now that you’re just about done, remove one thing! Many designers, including myself, love to add decoration. Many times, we also go a little overboard with excitement. Removing one thing can make your purpose clearer and your design more effective. Ask yourself: do I need this decoration, or do I just like it?
- Follow your brand guide
If you’re a hobby designer you may not need this message, but if you’re a business owner with a new brand than the most important tip of all is this: follow your brand guide! This is your designer’s golden rulebook for keeping your brand intact and looking professional.
Mini Design Tips:
- Most logos don’t have white backgrounds. Avoid this at all costs.
- Never use bright red & blue or bright red & green together.
- Keep text short and sweet.
- Try an alternative shade to pure black or white.
- If you plan on printing your design make sure to check out this blog.
I hope that these can help everyone at least a little bit, but if you’re curious to know more the best piece of advice I can offer is to look at the world around you. Pick up on what everyone else is doing and do it better.
