Building Better Presentations with Canva
TL;DR:
- Pick one design theme and stick with it across all slides
- Use images and graphics instead of cramming text everywhere
- Keep slides simple so your audience stays focused
- Use Canva's Presenter View to see your notes while presenting
- Upload your own images or use Canva's built-in library
- Export to PowerPoint or PDF when you need to share outside Canva
Creating presentations that actually work doesn't have to be complicated. Canva gives you the tools to build something that looks professional and keeps your audience engaged, but you need to know how to use them properly.
Start with a Solid Design Foundation
Choose one design theme and use it throughout your entire presentation. This means sticking with the same fonts, colours, and layout styles on every slide. When everything looks consistent, your audience can focus on what you're saying instead of getting distracted by random design choices.
Canva's templates are perfect for this. Pick one that fits your topic and use it as your starting point. You'll save time on design decisions and end up with something that looks polished.
Focus on Visuals, Not Text Walls
Your slides should support what you're saying, not repeat it word for word. Use images, charts, and graphics to make your points instead of filling slides with paragraphs of text.
People process visual information much faster than text, so a good image can communicate your idea more effectively than a bullet point list. Keep it clean and simple. Your audience should be able to glance at a slide and understand the main point in seconds.
When you're choosing images, go for high-quality ones that actually relate to your content. Canva has a huge library of stock photos and graphics, but you can also upload your own images if you have something specific in mind.
Use Presenter View for Smooth Delivery
Canva's Presenter View is one of those features that makes a real difference when you're actually giving your presentation. It shows you your speaker notes and upcoming slides on your screen, while your audience only sees the current slide.
This means you can stay on track without having to memorise everything or awkwardly read from your slides. You'll look more confident and your delivery will be much smoother.
Keep Your Content Focused
Each slide should make one main point. If you're trying to cover three different topics on one slide, split them up. Your audience needs time to process each idea before moving on to the next one.
Think about the story you're telling. Each slide should build on the previous one and lead naturally to the next. This keeps people engaged and makes your presentation easier to follow.
FAQs
Can I use my own images in Canva presentations?
Yes, you can upload your own images and graphics. Canva also has a large library of stock photos and illustrations you can use.
Is Presenter View available in all Canva plans?
Presenter View is included in Canva Pro and Canva for Enterprise plans. It's not available in the free version.
Can I export my Canva presentation to PowerPoint?
Yes, you can export presentations to PowerPoint, PDF, and other formats. This makes it easy to share your presentation or present it using different software.
How many slides should my presentation have?
There's no magic number, but aim for one slide per minute of presentation time. A 10-minute presentation should have around 10 slides.
Jargon Buster
Canva: A web-based design platform that lets you create presentations, graphics, and other visual content using templates and drag-and-drop tools.
Templates: Pre-designed layouts that you can customise with your own content. They include placeholder text and images that you replace with your material.
Presenter View: A feature that shows you speaker notes and upcoming slides on your screen while displaying only the current slide to your audience.
Stock Photos: Professional photos that are licensed for use in presentations and other projects. Canva includes access to millions of these images.
Wrap-up
Good presentations aren't about fancy animations or complex designs. They're about clear communication and keeping your audience engaged. Canva gives you the tools to create something that looks professional without spending hours on design work.
Stick to one consistent design theme, use visuals to support your message, and take advantage of Presenter View to deliver your presentation confidently. Keep your content focused and your slides simple, and you'll create presentations that actually work.
Ready to improve your design skills? Join Pixelhaze Academy for more practical tutorials and expert guidance.