Exploring CANVA for Beginners

Introducing participants to the platform, covering essential tools and features with guided practice of creating designs - beginner focus.

Make content creation simpler, faster, and smarter by using AI tools to plan, edit, and publish high-impact content that drives results.

Please note: To join this workshop you or your business needs to reside within one of the following GM local authorities: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside or Trafford, Wigan.

You also need to be: The owner of a business OR an aspiring entrepreneur with a business idea you want to develop.

Besides your Eventbrite ticket to the event, you will also need to register with Generator HERE.

Doors will be open at 09:30, with the talk beggining soon thereafter. For parking and access information, please follow this link.

____ EXPLORING CANVA FOR BEGINNERS _____

Overview of the Workshop

• Welcome and introduction to the facilitator and their experience using CANVA for social content and graphics.
• Participants briefly introduce themselves and share their familiarity with CANVA.
• Explanation of what CANVA is, why it’s beneficial for businesses, and examples of what can be created.

CANVA Platform Walkthrough

• Navigating the homepage: Home, Projects, Templates, Brand, CANVA AI, and Apps.
• Highlighting the value of the Brand area for consistent design.
• How to start a new design and choose the correct format.
• Naming and organising your work into folders.
• Using the search bar to quickly locate projects.

Poster Creation Demo

Using a Template / Creating From Scratch

• Adding and editing text, images, graphics, and shapes.
• Uploading your own images.
• Using frames, removing backgrounds, editing transparency, and adjusting image settings.
• Adding QR codes, clickable links, and basic animations.
• Downloading and saving your final design.

Break + Impact Forms

Video Editing Walkthrough

• Adding clips and basic trimming.
• Adjusting brightness, cropping, and changing speed.
• Adding transitions and text overlays.
• Animating text elements and exporting the final video.

Final Section

• Demonstration of presenting and screen recording using CANVA.
• Q&A and optional 1‑to‑1 support.

The Generator is a project with two vibrant enterprise hubs, located in St Peter’s Square, on the ground floor of the Town Hall Extension, and in Royal Mills in Ancoats. Our services include workspaces, events and workshops, 1-to-1 business information support, plus access to expert intellectual property and legal advice, and an introduction to our industry-standard business databases. The Generator is funded by the UK government. Find out more at www.generatormcr.org