This is one of the most popular photo and video editing apps today because of its extremely simple, pleasant and intuitive interface. Even advanced graphic designers are migrating to it. Canva because the tool is more than sufficient for most usage scenarios.

The application is available for Android, iOS and PC, it is quite lightweight and runs very well even on more basic devices. Its free version offers several incredible features, but its paid version, Canva Pro, unlocks all of the tool’s features – and all for an incredibly low price.

To give you an idea of the power of this software, the featured image in this article was created entirely in Canva. Cool, isn't it?

Read also: Check out the 7 best apps for drawing and editing on Android/iOS

Main features of Canva

Want to know what makes Canva so impressive in the hands of professionals and beginners alike? Here are some of its main features:

• Intuitive and clean interface: Rather than presenting the tools in a very technical and niche way, Canva prefers a more straight-to-the-point approach;
• Easy to share files: Links can be shared with others to make your work available, or even work together on specific projects;
• Library of templates and elements: Tens of thousands of assets can be inserted (and completely modified) into Canva;
• Magic Media: Create stunning videos and images with AI – just set the parameters and let the algorithm do its magic! If the result isn’t satisfactory, just try again and change the instructions.

How to get started with Canva?

Need a helping hand to create amazing projects with the app? Here are some tips that will certainly make the process simpler and more fluid:

Choose the format correctly

Do you want to create a Facebook banner? A simple Instagram post? Or perhaps you’d like to design your ebook? By clicking the “+” button, you can type in the search bar what you want to do – and Canva will tell you the correct dimensions for the task.

For example: if you enter “Instagram post”, Canva will give you a specific option for that (in 1080×1080 resolution). The same will happen if you want to create a story (1080×1920).

Make good use of the editor's search engine. It will save you a lot of time during the creative process. On the other hand, if you want to create a design from scratch, simply determine the dimensions of the document and confirm.

Explore and experiment with different elements

Finding the perfect assets to compose your image can be a real challenge in other editing tools; in the case of Canva, this is one of the main highlights. In the left corner of the screen, you can click on “Elements” and choose the ones that best suit your needs.

While many are available for free, the best options are usually paid. Either way, there’s no shortage of amazing options for creating memorable designs.

Use the search bar a lot to find what you need: there are so many options that if you try to find them manually, you will probably waste several precious minutes.

Test the Edit Photo feature

Click on an image in the document and then click on Edit Photo. Apply several different filters (very similar to those found on Instagram), control colors, contrast, brightness and many other features, remove the background, apply AI assets, among many other incredible features.

There are many fine adjustments that can be made to images. All the tools available in the app are usually more than enough for most users, even advanced ones.

Upload quickly

Under the “Uploads” tab, you can set up Canva to upload your designs to certain platforms, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Facebook, and Instagram. Instead of having to open the apps separately, log in, and manually upload, connecting them directly to the software and integrating with social media makes things easier.

In the case of cloud file hosting tools, all your work will be automatically saved to your respective accounts. This is a great idea to protect your data against mechanical problems, such as damage to your smartphone or tablet, for example.

Integrate with your favorite media

Click “More” to choose which other apps you want to integrate Canva with. There are dozens of options to choose from: Giphy, Google Images, Pexels, and many other online services can be integrated whenever you want.

This is especially interesting for commercial use, when the company and its customers are present on several digital fronts at once.

The Drawing tool is powerful

Got a stylus? You can use it in Canva to create hand-drawn designs and then edit them to your liking. Just click on the “Draw” option in the software’s dashboard, choose from a variety of different brushes and colors, and get started.

Believe me: true masterpieces can be created with such complete, yet simple, software.

Explore the Brand Kit

The “Branding” option allows you to create customized 100% branding kits – and this is very important for companies to create a digital presence designed for their respective target audiences.

Insert the logo, standard color palette and fonts used by the company and base all work on this information. This does not mean, of course, that everything needs to look the same; however, it helps to perpetuate the visual identity of the business.

This powerful tool is not limited to companies: if you have a channel on YouTube, Twitch or another platform, you can create thumbnails and many other incredible pieces of art for social media – all within your visual proposal.

Harness the full power of Canva!

It's amazing how much can fit into such a small application, isn't it? Even professionals in the field are migrating to the software, given its unparalleled productivity.

You can integrate it with various social networks and cloud storage services, create complex artwork for any occasion, and quickly share it with whoever you want. All this for free – although there is a paid version that unlocks all the features and exclusive elements.

Have you had any experience with Canva? Leave your experience in the comments!