5 Ways To Take Aesthetic Notes With Canva Quickly

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Let’s explore how to make good and attention-grabbing notes in Canva – a free and powerful graphic design platform. It is probably the largest free platform of its kind around available at the moment. We can also quickly create social media and #studygram worthy posts for sharing. This post created entirely with Canva free is meant to illustrate what is possible, though not exhaustive, with what we can create with Canva for taking notes and hopefully inspire the readers in some ways to get creative with this excellent free graphic resource.

5 ways to take aesthetic notes with Canva quickly

  1. Digital Notebooks
  2. Templates
  3. Flashcards
  4. Timelines and todos
  5. Mindmap

Also, Canva auto-saves frequently to help us not lose content created. Designing on Canva is not only quick but also intuitively simple with tons of graphics resources e.g. vectors, images, fonts, etc.

Digital notebooks

Let’s create our own digital notebook with Canva. We can create a custom size e.g. 8.5×11 inches. It is easy, just click Create a design on the top-right and select custom size.

Custom size in Canva
8.5 x 11 inches

The first page can be the cover of the notebook and pages can be added as needed.

Click Untitled to rename the file.

Now, let us get to the fun and most powerful feature of Canva in my opinion: Elements. Click Elements on the left and start our cover page.

Elements in Canva

Create a beautiful border for our text and graphic.

Type Border and select one of your liking
Click Text on the left and choose one font displayed or type and search.
Change background color easily
Click Add page to add more content

Rinse and repeat and start to get creative. Add different types of text effects and graphics for visual appeal. Text can be customized as well. To add your own content, start by clicking Uploads on the left.

Search and add another font

Canva has many fonts for various purposes. Feel free to mix and match.

Effects can also be applied to highlighted text.
Page completed within minutes

Click More on the left to easily add or embed other or external content types e.g. QR code, Google Maps, Pexels, Emojis, etc.

Canva More
Comment can be also be added at the side: Canva More with Pexels, Emojis, QR code, and even YouTube video can be inserted.
Click Share with options

Templates

Perhaps you do not wish to create content from a blank page. Then templates can also be a viable way to kickstart your designs or notes.

Let us create a planner template for our notes quickly.

Templates in Canva
Planner types
Planner Cover
Alternative Planner Cover
Planner
Choose a weekly planner of your choice
Choose a daily schedule
Add a free calendar if you prefer
Or a project planner for notes overview
Priorities, reminder lists, and goals

We can also put templates for wholesome purposes and uses. For example, we can support peace with Canva tailored templates. Notes or designs can be simple but deliver a strong and clear message.

Stand for peace
#peace
Stand for peace
#peace
Stand for peace
#peace

Flashcards

Create a flashcard with a 5 x 3 inches design. And start adding text and graphics elements. Here are some examples of flashcard covers with some quick effort. Some ideas for flashcards use: Study Better: Zorbi Flashcards With Chrome And Notion Integration and 4 Ways To Study Better With Flashcards And More.

Chemistry cover
Art cover
Literature cover

Here is an example of how our notes may appear in lists. Tables and graphics are inserted by Element searches. Be sure to take advantage of Canva’s huge free graphic element resources.

Flashcards points lists

We may also quickly apply a card theme by searching cards or any theme in Templates before customizing.

Applying a card theme

A useful feature in Canva for an overview of notes, pages, flashcards, and books can be the Grid View (stacked squares icon) located at the bottom right.

Grid View is useful for overviews

Timelines and todos

For example, search templates for project timelines and apply one for your purpose. This works for todos as well.

Project Timeline
Another project timeline for note-taking
Todo template one
Todo template two
Todo template three

Mindmap

Create an 8.5 x 11 inches design. Apply a template first or start designing with Elements-> Lines and shapes. It is easy and can be fun for those with an artistic disposition.

Simple mindmap created with Canva. Template link for free personal use here.

Those who are interested in notes that can be displayed as mindmaps may want to check out How To Take Notes In Obsidian (Fast & Easy Guide).

Obsidian-Graph-View
Visual display of Obsidian notes relationships
What are the benefits of Canva for graphic design and notes?
  • Free and easy
  • No space or usage limitations
  • Ready design templates with sizes
  • Tons of free and paid graphics for inserting
  • For both personal and commercial use
  • Aesthetic-focused for visual appeal
  • Various export options
Click Download and different options for exporting are available

Note: Canva Pro will offer more but the free version is features-pack as it is. Select PDF Print format for KDP covers and interiors. Canva Pro ($119.99 annually) elements with a crown icon displayed mean that it is a paid resource.

On a side note, did you miss this post?   4 Ways To Study Better With Flashcards And More

Canva can be used for a variety of uses, not just creating notes, including making presentations, ads, and even KDP books for selling! And all can be done in Canva.

Note: Did you know that you can download the Canva Mac Desktop app and use it without the web app?

Canva has probably removed more obstacles to creating creative design content than any others I know. We can create any content that involves free graphics content and elements for both personal and commercial use.

For example, we can create unlimited digital notebooks of various subjects and topics with pages and volumes of graphic content that stand out for sharing or submission.

Conclusion

Canva is truly one if not the most promising free app for creating design content, whether for study notes or otherwise. In fact, Canva is so intuitive and powerful that we can create profitable products with Canva free version alone!

As far as visual notes go, Canva is the most outstanding in this aspect I have seen and surpasses even Notion. Although Notion is a strong overall note app, Canva goes beyond just note-taking with more general marketing and profitable design potential e.g. KDP (Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing) books, landing pages, and social media marketing.

Be kind and good luck in your note-taking ventures.

More Information

Where can I get more ideas for creating Canva study notes?

Canva has posted 20 eye-catching ideas for your study notes.

Is there another resource to create templates with ease?

Please check out Tangent Templates Review: Worth It For KDP Books?

How to create a KDP book with Canva?

Both KDP and Canva are free.

KDP book interior with Canva.
One can also create KDP book covers with Canva.