How I’m using Canva to help my clients

I know how important it is for my clients to have quality designs. I also understand that not all my clients have access to expensive design tools or the knowledge to use them. That creates a barrier to entry when it comes to creating great designs. That’s why I made the conscious decision to embrace Canva.

Maybe a controversial opinion? Some designers feel that Canva's ease of use and price makes it a threat to their livelihood, as it can be used for projects that they may otherwise be hired for. This undercuts the value of professional design services, as clients may opt for a cheaper alternative. Additionally, some designers feel that the designs created with Canva lack the originality and creativity of professionally made designs. Plus, the client can never truly own something creative with Canva - so it’s best to avoid it for logo creation.

Awhile back I decided I’d use it to set up my clients’ brand kits, which includes their logos, colours, and fonts from their brand identity guidelines. This helps me help my clients keep consistency across all their touchpoints using their brand identity.

I also use Canva to create custom branded templates for my clients to use for their social media posts and advertising. These templates give you an easier way to get creative out there without having to start from scratch each time.

Some things to keep in mind when using Canva instead of hiring a professional designer:

1. Since you can’t own the intellectual property of designs created using Canva’s assets, avoid it for projects like logos.

2. Keep in mind that while Canva can be a cost-effective solution, it may not always be the best option for more complex or specialized design projects.

3. Don’t forget to double-check your work, as it is easy to overlook mistakes or inconsistencies when working with a pre-made template.

Let me know if I can set up a brand kit or create editable templates for you!