Our Guide For Designers
There’s something I need to say to my fellow designers, especially those working in non-profit branding, purpose-led marketing, or with small business clients.
Canva is not the enemy.
I know, it can feel like a threat. You’ve spent years mastering Adobe, learning design theory, branding strategy, layout principles… and now your clients are creating their own graphics with drag-and-drop templates.
But here’s the thing:
Your clients… especially in the non-profit and small business world are going to use Canva whether you like it or not.
So the real question is: are you going to resist it, or are you going to equip them to use it well?
so this Our Guide For Designers
Why Canva Is a Strategic Tool for Non-Profits and Small Businesses
- It’s accessible. Most non-profits and purpose-driven businesses don’t have an in-house designer. Canva gives them the tools to communicate quickly and affordably. Plus they have a program specifically for non-profits.
- It keeps branding consistent. When set up properly, Canva can help small teams maintain on-brand messaging between projects.
- It builds long-term trust. Offering Canva support shows that you’re invested in their impact—not just your deliverables.
If you’re working in branding for non-profits, social impact campaigns, or small business design, Canva is an opportunity—not a threat.
so this Our Canva Guide For Designers
1. Create Custom Canva Templates
Design easy-to-use templates for:
- Social media graphics
- Community flyers and posters
- Event promotions
- Impact reports and newsletters
Your templates can reflect their visual identity while keeping design quality high—even when they DIY.
Pro tip: Use Canva Pro to lock layouts and set up brand fonts and colours—this keeps everything consistent even when used by volunteers or internal teams.
2. Offer a Canva Toolkit With Every Brand Package
If you’re building a brand for a non-profit or social enterprise, don’t stop at the logo.
Include:
- Canva-ready templates
- A practical brand guide with Canva tips
- A short training video on how to apply the brand consistently
This is branding support with real impact—and clients will thank you for it.
3. Support DIY Brands Without Undervaluing Your Work
Not every small business or grassroots organisation can afford ongoing design retainers—but they still deserve good design.
You could offer:
- A half-day “Canva Setup Session”
- Quarterly template refreshes
- One-off design support for big campaigns
It’s a great way to stay connected to values-aligned clients without overcommitting your studio.
4. Teach Basic Design Principles
Even inside Canva, the rules of good design still apply.
Educate your clients with a one-pager or short training on:
- Visual hierarchy
- Spacing and alignment
- Font pairings and legibility
- Image selection and brand tone
This helps them create content that reflects their values and your professional design work.
5. Become a Partner, Not a Gatekeeper
When you position yourself as a branding partner—not just a logo deliverer—you gain long-term loyalty and impact.
By setting up Canva templates, offering real-world design guidance, and thinking about what clients need after the handover, you prove your value in a whole new way.
so this Our Canva Guide For Designers
The Bottom Line
If you’re working with purpose-led brands, non-profits, or small businesses, Canva isn’t something to resist—it’s something to harness.
Yes, Adobe is more powerful. Yes, you are the expert.
But your job as a designer is to empower your clients—not create dependency.
Let’s stop gatekeeping tools.
Let’s build brands that last beyond our involvement.
Let’s help organisations communicate with confidence—even when we’re not in the room.
and that's our guide for designers
Need Help Making Canva Work For Your Brand?
If you’re a non-profit, purpose-driven business, or small team using Canva—but your brand visuals just aren’t hitting the mark—I’d love to help.
Let’s chat about where your business is at, what’s holding your brand back, and what you need to move forward with clarity and impact. Whether it’s custom Canva templates, a brand refresh, or a website that works harder—I’ve got you.
👉 Book a free call and let’s make your brand do what it’s meant to—create real impact with the tools you already use.
so this Our Canva Guide For Designers
so this Our Canva Guide For Designers
