Using Canva for Inclusive Design with a screenshot of the Canva App. Igniting MSMS Success - Level Up your digital

Canva: Easy to use design app for SMEs

by with One Comment Creative

Unlock Your Business’s Visual Potential and Make a Difference.

In today’s digital age, visual content is king and we have spoken about inclusive design and various tools to help you navigate the marketing space. From social media posts to marketing materials, businesses of all sizes need compelling visuals to connect with their audience. But for many Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), professional design can seem out of reach. Not any more with Canva, the user-friendly design platform, is here to empower you to create stunning visuals that resonate with your target market and reflect your commitment to inclusivity.

Canva is also affordable with Pro coming in at just R110,00 per month which is further discounted should pay for the full year, at just R900,00 per annum.

Why is Canva a Game-Changer for SMEs?

  1. Accessibility: Canva’s intuitive interface makes design accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise.
  2. Affordability: With a range of free and premium options, Canva fits within any budget.
  3. Diversity: Canva offers a vast library of templates, images, and elements that cater to diverse audiences, ensuring inclusivity in your designs.
  4. Efficiency: Create professional-looking graphics quickly and easily, saving you time and resources.

Using Canva for Inclusive Design

South Africa, our beautiful Rainbow Nation, consists of diverse cultures, languages and traditions. Our rich cultural heritage makes it crucial to reflect the country’s diversity in your business. Here is how you can navigate this space successfully:

  • Choose inclusive imagery: Opt for images that represent people from diverse backgrounds, ages, abilities, and ethnicities.
  • Use inclusive language: Avoid stereotypes and generalisations in your text.
  • Consider colour accessibility: Ensure your colour combinations are accessible to people with visual impairments.
  • Be mindful of cultural sensitivity: Research and understand the cultural nuances of your target audience.

How Do You Translate Inclusive Design into Canva?

Canva offers several features to support inclusive design:

  • Diverse stock photos: Access a wide range of images featuring people from various backgrounds.
  • Colour palette generator: Create colour combinations that are visually appealing and accessible.
  • Customisable templates: Adapt templates to fit your brand and audience, incorporating elements that resonate with diffferent cultural groups.
  • Magic Studio: This innovative AI-powered tool can generate diverse characters, settings, and scenes, helping you create inclusive visuals that reflect inclusivity in your design.
Source: https://www.canva.com

Get Started with Canva

Ready to elevate your MSME’s visual game? Sign up for Canva and start exploring its endless possibilities.

Reach out to hello@levelupyourdigital.africa with any questions you might have. We’re happy to always offer free advice to help you grow your business.

Remember, design is a powerful tool for building connections and creating a positive impact. Let your creativity shine!

An image of diverse arms representing the importance of inclusive design in digital marketing.

Inclusive Design for Marketing: How to Reach & Engage a Wider Audience

by with One Comment CreativeDigital Marketing

In our previous posts on creative marketing and creative design tools, we’ve explored how impactful visuals can elevate your brand. But design isn’t just about looking good; it’s about connecting with your audience in a meaningful way.

At Level Up your digital, we believe in fostering a digital space where everyone feels seen and heard. This commitment to inclusivity guides not only our content, but also how we encourage you to approach your own marketing design by introducing you to inclusive design principles.

Designing for Everyone: Why Inclusivity Matters

Inclusive design means creating visuals that are accessible and welcoming to people from all walks of life. This goes beyond avoiding offensive imagery; it’s about considering:

  • Visual Impairments: Use high-contrast colors, clear fonts, and alt text for images.
  • Cognitive Differences: Structure your designs logically, avoid clutter, and use simple language.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural symbolism and avoid stereotypes.

When you design inclusively, you’re not just doing the right thing; you’re expanding your potential audience and building a brand that resonates with a wider range of people.

How to Implement Inclusive Design

Let’s take those creative design tips from our previous post and infuse them with inclusivity:

  1. Social Media Templates: Use diverse imagery that reflects your audience. Include captions or alt text that describe visuals for screen readers.
  2. Email Newsletters: Ensure color palettes are easy to read for people with colorblindness. Use clear headings and bullet points to make content scannable.
  3. Infographics: Keep the layout simple and avoid overwhelming amounts of text. Offer alternative text formats, like audio descriptions, for people who prefer to listen to information.

Additional Tips for Inclusive Design

  • Get feedback: Ask people from diverse backgrounds to review your designs.
  • Test for accessibility: Use online tools to check your website and designs for accessibility issues.
  • Stay informed: Design trends and technology are always evolving. Keep learning about new ways to make your designs more inclusive.
An image with the text Dos and Don'ts relating to Inclusive Design

Dos

  • Do use diverse imagery that reflects your audience.
  • Do include captions or alt text for images.
  • Do use high-contrast colors and clear fonts.
  • Do structure your designs logically and avoid clutter.
  • Do use simple language and avoid jargon.
  • Do test your designs for accessibility.
  • Do get feedback from people with disabilities.

Don’ts

  • Don’t use offensive imagery or stereotypes.
  • Don’t rely on color alone to convey information.
  • Don’t use text that is difficult to read.
  • Don’t use flashing or flickering images.
  • Don’t make your content inaccessible to people with disabilities.

By following these dos and don’ts, you can create inclusive designs that reach a wider audience and make your brand more welcoming to everyone.

Conclusion

Inclusive design is not just a trend; it’s a necessity. By creating designs that are accessible and welcoming to everyone, you can build a more inclusive and equitable world.

Remember: Inclusivity is a journey, not a destination. It’s about continuously striving to create a digital space where everyone feels welcome. By embracing inclusive design principles, you’re not only improving your marketing, but also contributing to a more equitable and welcoming online world.

We invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we can level up the digital landscape for everyone.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Creative Design Tools for MSMEs

Boost your Creativity: 5 Creative Design Tools for MSMEs

by with 4 Comments CreativeDigital Marketing

The post details various graphic design tools suitable for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) especially in the African market. The author highlights Canva, Design Wizard, Adobe Express, Snappa, and Vista Create as tools beneficial to businesses with limited resources. A rising star, Microsoft Designer, is also acknowledged. Factors influencing the choice of tools include specific needs, budget, and user experience levels.

A paint brush

Creative direction to Level Up your brand

by with One Comment CreativeDigital MarketingDigital Transformation

The content discusses the importance of a strong brand image and gives practical guidelines for creating compelling digital marketing content. The key recommendations include creating relevant, original content and avoiding spammy tactics. It also outlines best practices for design: using grid layouts, effective white space, focal points, contrasting elements, and repetition. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for originality, imagination, and enjoyment in the creative process to produce engaging, visually appealing content that resonates emotionally with the audience and distinguishes a brand in the market.