In the short time I have been a librarian, I have come to realize that a big part of the job is promotion. We have to let everyone know the amazing opportunities the library provides our students/clients. On my campus, my students are visual people. I think most teenagers like to look at pictures, especially if the picture includes them or their friends. So visual promotion is a key part of position.
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| DigiCit poster |
One of my "go to" tools I rely on to help me with visual promotion is Canva. This is a FREE, web-based, design program that I have used to create posters and flyers for upcoming events. It could also be used to create a one page newsletter or info-graphic. The benefit of using their pre-designed templates is that the creation process is pretty simple. In my opinion the ability to import your own images, and the complete creative control you have over your design are some of the strongest features of the tool.
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| My 1st attempt at Canva |
There are so many options for your design- including font choices, color choices, icon choices, etc., that you could spend HOURS perfecting a design, and while that may be a drawback for some, I think it’s a bonus. I just need to block out lots of time to play and make my design perfect for my audience! There are plenty of free options on the site to create some amazing designs, but the site also offers elements that require payment. In the six months I have been using the site, I have yet to find a need for the paid elements.
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| One of my favorite Canva creations |
When you first begin using Canva there are tutorials to guide you through the process. Most of the steps are intuitive, but many of the tutorials offer ideas on how to improve your design visually and include tips on color coordination, font choices, and visual spacing.
The next time you have a flyer to create, give Canva a try - I think you will be pleased you did!
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