Designing graphical content can be a challenge. From social media posts to on-premise displays, there is an ever-evolving need for graphics and editing software. On top of that, everyone’s time is valuable, so a library of customizable templates quickly shifts from useful to indispensable. At Retriever Digital Signage, we have a huge library of professionally designed templates, but that library of possibilities grows exponentially when you consider integrations with software such as Canva.
What Is Canva?
Canva is a popular image, graphic, and video editing software. It is a web application that can be used in your browser with drag and drop design tools. Canva’s services are free for basic editing, but they offer pro and team pricing plans for advanced features and designs. This makes it easy to begin using their editing tools — and templates — so you can quickly start creating.
Why Should I Use Canva?
The fun templates and easy design tools offered by Canva are great places for beginners and casual designers to get started designing their content. They make it easy to get professional-looking projects underway with a low learning curve. This makes it a great option for enhancing your digital signage.
How Do I Use Canva with Digital Signage?
Digital signs are inherently graphical. Making your message pop while communicating with your customers and employees is always the goal. There are several easy ways to get your Canva designs to your digital signage using Retriever, and they fall into two categories: downloads and embeds.
Download Your Project
The most versatile way to share your designs on the screen in your lobby is to download them. Canva offers the ability to download any project as an image, video, or PDF. The Retriever has slide templates that take any of these options and distribute them for you, making the process simple and easy.
Embed Your Project
Embedding your Canva design on your TV means that when you update your project in Canva, it automatically updates on your sign. The Retriever has a special “Canva Embed” template that works with both the “HTML embed code” and the ”Smart embed link” options.
For more in-depth documentation on using Canva with Retriever Digital Signage, check out our article on “4 Ways to Embed Canva Presentations on Digital Signage.”
4 Tips for Designing Digital Signage Content in Canva
Here are some things to keep in mind as you begin designing digital signage content.
Aspect Ratio
Your projects will look the best on your sign if you start with the right aspect ratio. Most TVs have an aspect ratio of 16:9 when mounted in landscape view or 9:16 when mounted in portrait view. These are common starting points in Canva for presentations or videos, so you can just select those sizes when setting up your project, and it will work great on your sign.
Blank or Template
Starting with a blank canvas can be liberating or daunting. Canva lets you start from scratch if you want an empty space you can fill with your own creativity. But it also has a library full of designed templates, ranging from fun to fancy, for those who need a quick nudge in the right direction. Whichever way you roll, exploring the options is sure to get your creative juices flowing.
Legibility
Communicating clearly is perhaps the most important principle to keep in mind when setting up your digital signage. If your message is not readable and understandable, it will just be ignored. Keep this in mind when you are writing your message and when you are choosing fonts. Make sure you can still easily read it when you take a step back and squint. If not, then you may need to increase the font size, change the typeface, adjust the text color, or remove some unnecessary words.
Motion Graphics
The goal of digital signage is to get people’s attention. One of the best ways to do that is through the use of movement. Videos, motion graphics, and animation are eye-catching and engaging. Canva has options to animate elements with transitions or add-on effects. Just download your finished project as a video and share it on Retriever.
Putting It All Together
Canva can be a great option for designing content for your digital signage. It’s easy to use and quick to get started. It also pairs perfectly with Retriever Digital Signage. The Retriever handles the distribution so you can easily update, schedule, and manage your content, whether it is going to one screen or many screens across multiple locations.
Today, it is easier than ever to design content for your digital signs. There are many ways to creatively reach your customers with on-premise displays and engage with them in a meaningful sense. When you use Canva with Retriever, you are combining your own creativity with a streamlined communication system that gets your message out in a powerful way.