Design and Formatting

Data and Design with Canva: A Visual Storytelling Journey

Now, I have talked a lot about data analysis, measurement, and visualization in my articles, but I wanted to share something different this time. I am sure you have been in a situation, where you had all the data and statistical proof figured out, but you found it super difficult to convey your point to senior leadership or your clients. Moreover, even though the right answer or interpretation was obvious to you, your audience missed the point completely. How could that happen? Well, this is where data and design clash!

Over the past few months, I worked with the folks from LinkedIn Learning to launch a course that provides the glue between data and design. In other words, a course that teaches you how to become a better visual storyteller, no matter what industry you come from. Here it is!

Canva for UX Brainstorming and Collaboration: Data and Design Course

If your work involves UX design, brainstorming, collaboration, or presenting your ideas in a succinct manner (almost all jobs today), then I would highly recommend you to take a look at this course. Personally, I started using Canva in 2014 and since then, I’ve seen the tool evolve from a tiny graphic design platform to a powerhouse for masterful visual communication. Here is the course outline, if you want to dig a bit deeper.

The Curriculum

  • Introduction
    • What is Canva and Canva Pro?
    • Explore the Canva UI
  • Business Design Essentials
    • Cropping, flipping, and basic positioning
    • Structure and align design elements
    • Use the Background Removal tool
    • Use color palettes and symbolism
    • The power of SVG graphics
    • Lock and switch between layers
    • Configure dynamic charts and lines
    • Use frame, grids, and smart mockups
    • Resize designs with Magic Resize
  • Presentations
    • Connect design vision and target audience, part 1
    • Connect design vision and target audience, part 2
    • Understand typography
    • Animation and effects in presentations
    • Talking presentations and Canva Live
    • Podcasts and adding audio to designs
    • Edit video in Canva with timelines and transitions
    • Import and edit PDFs
  • Collaboration
    • Design together with your team and clients
    • Engage your audience with icebreakers
    • Run ideation or brainstorming sessions
    • Create interactive polls and quizzes
  • Conclusion
    • Design with Canva on desktop and mobile
    • Apps and integrations
    • Next steps

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out on LinkedIn or subscribe to the datastudio newsletter for more updates. In the meantime, happy learning!

Lachezar Arabadzhiev

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