LinkedIn is one of the most popular professional social media platforms, with over 722 million users worldwide as of 2021. As a visual platform, having eye-catching graphics and designs can help your LinkedIn profile and posts stand out. This is where Canva comes in handy.
Canva is a free online graphic design tool that makes it easy for anyone to create professional-looking visual content. With its drag-and-drop interface and extensive template library, you don’t need any design experience to quickly customize graphics for LinkedIn on Canva.
What is Canva?
Canva is a graphic design platform that allows users to create visual content like posters, banners, presentations, social media posts, and more. It was founded in 2012 in Australia by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams.
Some key things to know about Canva:
- Free to use: The basic Canva platform is free to use for both personal and commercial projects.
- User-friendly: Canva has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that’s easy for beginners to learn.
- Massive template library: There are over 60,000 templates to make design simple.
- Image library: You can choose from over 1 million stock photos, graphics and illustrations.
- Design elements: There are over 8000 fonts, shapes, frames etc. to customize designs.
- Resize and export: Graphics can be resized to multiple formats and exported for web or print.
With these features, Canva aims to empower anyone to create visual content, no design experience required.
Benefits of Using Canva for LinkedIn
Here are some of the main advantages of using Canva to create graphics for LinkedIn:
Quick and easy to use
Creating designs on Canva is a simple drag-and-drop process. With no technical skills required, you can put together polished graphics in minutes by customizing Canva’s professionally-designed templates.
Ideal for resizing
LinkedIn has specific image dimensions for profile pictures and cover photos. With Canva, resizing visuals for any LinkedIn requirements is seamless.
Massive template selection
Canva offers templates for almost any need, from social media posts to banners, infographics, presentations and more. This makes it easy to quickly create appropriate designs for your LinkedIn profile or content.
Brand consistency
Using the same tool for your designs ensures visual consistency across your LinkedIn presence and other branding materials.
Affordable
As the basic Canva is free to use, it’s an affordable way for solopreneurs, small businesses, and individuals to create quality branded graphics without costly design fees.
Accessibility on the go
With mobile apps for iOS and Android, you can design Canva graphics on your phone or tablet whenever inspiration strikes!
Types of Visuals to Create for LinkedIn with Canva
Here are some of the key visuals you can design with Canva specifically for elevating your LinkedIn presence:
Profile Picture
Your profile photo is one of the first things people will notice on your LinkedIn page. A professional headshot designed in Canva with your logo or branding makes a strong impression.
Cover Photo
Your cover photo spans the entire top of your LinkedIn profile so is prime real estate for displays your brand! Use Canva’s templates to design covers for desktop and mobile.
Content Post Visuals
Creating posts with eye-catching graphics will get you more engagement on LinkedIn. Design visual quotes, informational graphics, and other illustrations with Canva templates.
Presentations
To establish yourself as a thought leader, share presentations on LinkedIn. With Canva you can quickly brand slides with your color scheme and logo.
Ads
Sponsored posts and ads on LinkedIn need to catch attention fast. Create promotional graphics and banners that align to your brand using Canva.
LinkedIn Events & E-course Promos
Promote LinkedIn events, online courses, webinars and other offers with custom Canva designs optimized for the platform.
Blog/Company Page Banners
Spice up your LinkedIn Company Page header or Showcase Pages with a engaging banner graphic made in Canva.
Infographics
Infographics are a popular and information-packed visual format on LinkedIn. Pick a Canva template and customize it with your data.
Canva Pro for Advanced LinkedIn Design
Canva Pro unlocks even more features for creating professional LinkedIn graphics with capabilities like:
- Brand kit – color palettes, fonts brand assets
- Folder & brand management tools
- Presentations
- Social media planner
- Animated designs
- Unlimited graphic uploads & folders
- Premium photo library access
With Canva Pro you can maintain consistent branding across a limitless amount of LinkedIn visuals for your personal profile, company pages, or clients.
Step-by-Step Guide to Designing LinkedIn Graphics with Canva
Here is an overview of how to use Canva to quickly design polished graphics for LinkedIn:
Step 1: Select a Template
Browse Canva’s template categories and choose a design with the right dimensions and layout for your needs. Templates are available for LinkedIn covers, posts, ads and more.
Step 2: Customize the Design
Personalize the template by dragging in your own brand’s colors, fonts, logos and images. Resize, add, delete or rearrange elements as needed.
Step 3: Add Graphics & Text
Enhance your design with any visuals needed, like charts, icons or illustrations. Input your text including headlines and body copy.
Step 4: Download & Share
Export your completed graphic in the optimal file format and dimensions for LinkedIn. Then simply upload it directly on LinkedIn to use it.
Tips for Optimized LinkedIn Graphics
Follow these best practices when designing LinkedIn visuals in Canva for the best results:
- Use high quality, professional photos. Canva’s image library has many options.
- Display your brand colors, logo, and style for consistency.
- Be purposeful with text, minimal is often optimal.
- Resize graphics to recommended LinkedIn dimensions.
- Save PNG files with transparent backgrounds if suitable.
- Include relevant, engaging captions when sharing.
- Use contrasting colors for text/backgrounds.
Conclusion
In summary, Canva is an invaluable resource for easily creating customized graphics that align to your brand for LinkedIn. The accessibility, affordability and ease of use of Canva’s platform makes it feasible for solopreneurs, job seekers, small businesses and marketers at any level to design visual content that stands out on LinkedIn.
By using professionally designed templates and Canva’s extensive design features, anyone can quickly produce polished graphics that capture attention on LinkedIn profiles and posts. The broad range of options for graphic types also makes Canva ideal for all of LinkedIn’s applications, from cover images to ads to company page banners.
Dedicated Canva users can also upgrade to Canva Pro for advanced features to truly master branded design across an unlimited amount of LinkedIn content. With some strategic graphic design skills and Canva’s powerful tools, you can take your visual presence on LinkedIn to the next level.
