Jumpstart your creative journey with Canva Design Essentials Pt. 1: Core Tools & Layouts, led by award-winning designer and educator Dan Scott. This beginner-friendly course is your foundation for mastering Canva, equipping you with essential tools, design principles, and layout strategies to create stunning visual content with confidence.



Canva Design Essentials Pt. 1: Core Tools & Layouts
This course is part of Canva Design Essentials Specialization

Instructor: Skillshare
Access provided by The National Institute of Engineering
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(16 reviews)
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7 assignments
July 2025
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There are 7 modules in this course
Begin your Canva journey by getting familiar with the platform and preparing for your course project. In this module, you'll explore Canva’s core interface, learn how to access design resources, and create your first design brief. You’ll gain clarity on the purpose of your design and the audience it’s meant to serve—essential steps for any design workflow.
What's included
3 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
This module focuses on building confidence with Canva’s design tools. You’ll learn to start a design from scratch or from a template, work with free and premium images, and apply essential cropping techniques—including using frames—to improve your visual compositions. By the end, you'll be ready to manage image elements effectively and customize your projects with precision.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Good design starts with an organized workspace. In this module, you’ll explore Canva’s interface beyond the canvas, including tips for naming, sorting, and accessing your designs. You’ll also learn how to upload your own media and discover reliable sources for free design assets, so you can personalize your creations and streamline your workflow.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Take your design skills to the next level by learning to use shapes and layers to build clear, balanced compositions. This module guides you through essential layout tools and introduces best practices for exporting your work in various file formats. You’ll complete your first guided project using foundational shape and positioning tools in Canva.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
In this color- and type-focused module, you’ll enhance your visual design fluency by working with Canva’s color palettes, text formatting tools, and design styles. You’ll explore how to mix your own colors, apply pre-made themes, and stylize fonts for impact—all while maintaining a cohesive look and feel across your project.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Refine your typographic and layout skills with advanced Canva features. You’ll explore techniques like grouping and locking elements, curving text, and adding effects like drop shadows to enhance clarity and visual appeal. These techniques will help you elevate the professionalism and polish of your designs.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
In the final module, you’ll apply everything you've learned to design a visually striking Instagram post. You’ll experiment with shapes, icons, lines, and brand elements to create content that’s optimized for social media. This hands-on project will help you practice real-world skills in hierarchy, composition, and platform-specific formatting.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt
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Reviewed on Oct 5, 2025
Videos are quick, fun, and easy to understand. Dan is very engaging and I wish I had taken this sooner!



