Canva Design Basics 1.2: Navigating the Canva Dashboard

Master the Canva interface to streamline your design projects with efficient searching and organization techniques.

Getting Started with Canva Dashboard

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

  • Navigate the main sections of the Canva dashboard confidently
  • Search for templates and design elements efficiently
  • Organise your projects using folders and best practices
  • Customise your dashboard to match your workflow

Introduction

Right, let's get you comfortable with the Canva dashboard. This is where you'll spend most of your time, so knowing your way around makes everything easier. We'll cover the main sections, show you how to find what you need quickly, and share some tricks for keeping your work organised. No fluff here – just the practical stuff that actually helps.

Lessons

Understanding the Dashboard Layout

The Canva dashboard has three main areas you need to know about:

Home Section
This is your starting point. You'll see recent designs, suggested templates, and trending content. It's useful for getting inspired or picking up where you left off.

Templates Area
This houses thousands of ready-made designs. Think of it as your design library – everything from Instagram posts to business cards lives here.

Projects Section
Your personal workspace where all your designs are stored. Both finished work and ongoing projects sit here.

Getting familiar with the layout:

  1. Open your Canva account
  2. Click through each main section (Home, Templates, Projects)
  3. Notice how the navigation stays consistent across sections
  4. Check out the search bar at the top – you'll use this constantly

The sidebar on the left shows recent activity and quick shortcuts. The main area changes based on which section you're in.

Searching for Templates and Elements

Good searching saves hours of scrolling. Here's how to find what you need:

Use specific keywords
Instead of searching "poster", try "concert poster" or "event poster". The more specific you are, the better your results.

Apply filters
After searching, use the filters on the left to narrow down by:

  • Colour scheme
  • Layout style
  • Features (like animations)
  • Price (free vs paid)

Search effectively:

  1. Click the search bar at the top
  2. Type your specific keyword
  3. Press enter to see results
  4. Use the filters to refine your options
  5. Preview templates by hovering over them

Pro tip: Pay attention to the suggested keywords that appear as you type. These often lead to better results than your original search term.

Organising Your Projects

Once you start creating designs, organisation becomes crucial. Here's how to stay on top of things:

Create folders for different purposes:

  • Client work
  • Personal projects
  • Templates you've customised
  • Seasonal designs

Set up your folder system:

  1. Go to your Projects section
  2. Click "Create a folder"
  3. Give it a clear, descriptive name
  4. Drag existing projects into relevant folders
  5. Create new designs directly in folders when possible

Keep things tidy:

  • Name your designs clearly when you create them
  • Delete drafts you're not using
  • Archive completed projects you might need later
  • Review your folders monthly and reorganise as needed

This bit most people miss: you can star your favourite templates and designs. Click the star icon to add them to your favourites for quick access later.

Practice

Here's what to do next:

  1. Dashboard tour: Spend 10 minutes clicking through each main section. Get familiar with where everything lives.

  2. Search practice: Try searching for three different types of designs (like "birthday card", "LinkedIn banner", "logo"). Use the filters to narrow down results.

  3. Organisation setup: Create two folders – one for practice designs and one for real projects. Create a simple design and save it in the practice folder.

  4. Customisation: Look for the personalise option on your home screen and set your preferences.

Roll your sleeves up and actually do this. Reading about it isn't enough – you need to click around and get comfortable with the interface.

FAQs

How do I customise my dashboard to show relevant templates?
Click on your profile picture, then "Settings", then "Personalise your home screen". You can set preferences for the types of designs you create most often.

Can I collaborate with others on Canva projects?
Yes. Open any design and click the "Share" button in the top right. You can invite people to view, comment, or edit your designs.

Where do I find high-resolution download options?
In the design editor, click the download button (arrow pointing down) in the top right. Select your file type and choose the highest quality option available.

What happens if I can't find a specific template?
Try different keyword combinations, check if you're using the right filters, or browse related categories. Sometimes the perfect template is listed under a different name than you'd expect.

How many folders can I create?
There's no practical limit. Create as many as you need to stay organised, but don't go overboard – too many folders can be as confusing as too few.

Jargon Buster

Templates: Pre-designed layouts you can customise for your own use. Think of them as starting points rather than finished products.

High Resolution: Images with lots of detail and clarity. Essential for anything you plan to print or display on large screens.

Filters: Tools that help narrow down search results based on specific criteria like colour, style, or features.

Dashboard: Your main control centre in Canva where you access all features and manage your designs.

Wrap-up

You now know how to navigate the Canva dashboard efficiently. You understand the main sections, can search effectively, and have a system for keeping your work organised. These fundamentals will make everything else in Canva much easier to learn.

Next, you'll want to start creating your first design. The skills you've learned here – searching, organising, and navigating – will help you work faster and more efficiently as you develop your design skills.

Ready to put this into practice? Visit https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership to continue your learning journey.

Canva Design Basics