Canva is a popular free online design tool that makes it incredibly easy for anyone to create beautiful and professional-looking content. One of the many things you can design in Canva is slideshow presentations.
Slideshows are a great way to showcase photos, tell a story, or present information in an engaging visual format. The key to creating an effective slideshow is good planning and design. Follow this simple step-by-step guide to learn how to make a stunning slideshow presentation using Canva.
Step 1: Sign Up for a Free Canva Account
If you don’t already have one, go to www.canva.com and click “Sign Up” to create your free Canva account. You can sign up quickly using your Google or Facebook account.
Once signed in, you’ll be taken to the Canva homepage dashboard where you can start designing your slideshow.
Step 2: Choose a Template
Click on “Presentations” on the left sidebar to browse Canva’s presentation templates. You can filter by category or layout. Choose a template that fits your slideshow concept and intended audience.
Consider the purpose of your slideshow. Are you telling a story? Presenting research findings? Showcasing products? Make sure to pick a template that aligns with your goal.
Step 3: Customize the Template
Once you’ve selected a template, you can customize it to match your brand or theme.
Change the background by clicking “Background” on the left toolbar. Upload your own photo or choose from Canva’s image library.
Update colors using the color picker icon next to each design element. Pick complementary colors that look cohesive.
Swap out text by clicking directly on headers or body text boxes. Use your own wording relevant to your presentation topic.
Step 4: Add Your Own Images
A slideshow is all about visuals, so you need great images. Click the “Uploads” tab on the left sidebar to upload your own photos.
Drag and drop images directly onto slides. Resize or reposition images so they fit nicely within the slide layout.
Use Canva’s massive library of stock photos if you need more visuals. Search over 2 million images by keyword or category under the “Elements” tab.
Step 5: Include Infographics and Graphics
Spice up your slideshow by adding charts, icons, illustrations or other graphic elements. These make content more visually interesting and easier to digest.
Search Canva’s elements library for relevant graphics. Drag them onto slides and position next to related content.
Use charts or graphs to present data visually. Canva has tons of customizable charts to showcase statistics.
Step 6: Add Animations and Transitions
Animations and transitions make your slideshow more dynamic and polished. They also help guide the viewer through the presentation.
Click on individual elements like images or text boxes and add animations like fade in, fly in or float in. This makes elements enter the slide in a smooth, attention-grabbing way.
Add transitions between entire slides like wipe or push. This creates an overall flow as you progress through the presentation.
Step 7: Include Videos for Engagement
Videos are highly engaging, so consider incorporating relevant video clips to captivate your audience.
Click the “Uploads” tab and upload your own video files in MP4 format. Position the video placeholder onto a slide.
Search “videos” under Canva elements to browse their stock video library. There are animated clips, backgrounds and more to choose from.
Step 8: Add Presenter Notes
Presenter notes are text boxes with notes visible only to the presenter. They help jog your memory during the actual presentation.
Click the “+” icon on each slide while in editing mode to add a presenter notes box. Type detailed notes to guide your narrative for that slide.
Presenter notes are a presentation lifesaver! No more fumbling for words with your notes discretely in front of you.
Step 9: Download and Present
When your slideshow design is complete, it’s go time! Click the “Download” button at the top of the editor page.
Choose to export your file as a PPTX PowerPoint presentation or PDF slideshow. PowerPoint is better for presenting live on a projector.
Open the exported file and present using presentation mode. Your notes will be visible to you but not the audience.
Now you have a professional Canva-designed slideshow ready to captivate any crowd. With a stellar presentation and some practice runs, you’re sure to deliver an engaging, visually appealing showcase.
