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Creating with Canva

Today, I spent some time creating with the free iPad app Canva so it seemed like the perfect app to talk about on the blog today!

When I first learned about Canva during an iPadpalooza 2015, I was not a big fan of it. Though I created a few things with it, I got frustrated. I didn't think it was user friendly. When I re-visited the app this past Saturday at the ISTE HackEd Smackdown session, I decided to give it a second chance.

First things first--Canva is a graphic design tool. I prefer to use the iPad app, but you can also design online. When you log onto Canva, you can choose from a variety of templates--social media, instagram post, poster, blog graphic, facebook cover, photo college, Pinterest graphic, business card and so many more. When I began designing the Facebook and Twitter cover for this blog, I chose the Facebook Cover. After choosing your template you can choose your layout, background and add text. Some of the backgrounds require you to pay for them but most are free. You can also upload pictures from your photo library. Canva saves all of your designs until your ready to download it. I downloaded my two creations this afternoon to my iPad photo library and then used airdrop to send them to my computer. I've used Chirp (I'll write a blogpost about that another day) but never air drop.

With Canva, you have to play around with it to get your work the way you want it. It takes some time and experimentation. After creating with this app today, I'm excited to use this app even more, for not only teaching purposes but also to create graphics for my role as a Merchandiser in my side business.

Two of my SIMPLE creations today for this new blogging adventure:




The card I created for my students at the beginning of the year. At the time, I was planning to teach second grade.

Keep Calm and Create!
Not created with Canva and not my work.

-Elle 

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