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Create a Storyboard using Canva

By the end of this project, you will learn how to create a storyboard from scratch using the free version of Canva. Storyboards are sequential breakdowns of each shot for a visual presentation. A visual presentation can include animation, live-action video, sales and marketing pitches. We can use Canva to complete this project because it provides all the tools you need to create an organized and visually appealing product while offering a variety of options for sharing and collaboration. You will learn how to plan and organize your ideas and utilize graphic design tools as you create a storyboard template for your next visual experience.

Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the North America region. We’re currently working on providing the same experience in other regions.

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Useful for learners with no background in design

Provides hands-on labs for interactive learning

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in storyboard creation

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Reviews summary

Canva storyboarding for visual projects

According to learners, this course is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to create storyboards quickly and efficiently using the free version of Canva. Students highlight the clear, step-by-step instructions and the practical, hands-on approach, making it ideal for beginners. While the course provides a solid foundation in utilizing Canva for visual presentations, some note its primary optimization for North America and suggest it might be too basic for those seeking advanced storyboarding techniques.

Provides immediately applicable skills for visual presentations.

"I learned practical skills that I could immediately apply to my marketing pitch for work."

"The project-based approach was excellent; I now have a tangible storyboard I can use."

"This course provided a quick way to understand and create visual breakdowns for my video projects."

Effectively teaches storyboard creation using Canva's free version.

"It's fantastic that I didn't need to purchase any software or subscriptions to complete this project."

"The course showed me just how powerful the free version of Canva can be for creative visual tasks."

"I loved learning practical skills without any financial barrier, thanks to the focus on free Canva tools."

Provides a clear, step-by-step introduction to storyboarding.

"As a complete beginner to storyboarding, I found this course incredibly easy to follow and very helpful."

"The instructor broke down complex steps into simple, actionable tasks, perfect for someone just starting out."

"I really appreciated how the course walked me through every step of using Canva for my first storyboard project."

Offers a solid foundation but may lack advanced storyboarding techniques.

"This is a good starting point for Canva storyboarding, but I was hoping for a deeper dive into more advanced concepts."

"If you're already familiar with Canva or have some storyboarding experience, parts of this course might feel too basic."

"The course focuses strictly on the mechanics of creating a storyboard in Canva, rather than broader theoretical aspects."

Content may be less optimized for learners outside North America.

"As someone outside North America, I noticed some regional specifics that made a few examples less directly applicable."

"The course explicitly states it's optimized for North America, and while the core principles are universal, it's worth noting."

"While the main Canva techniques are global, I did encounter minor discrepancies due to my non-North American location."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Create a Storyboard using Canva with these activities:

Refresh Storyboarding Basics

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Review basic principles of storyboarding to kick-off the course.

Browse courses on Storyboard

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Sketch out sample storyboard panels
Annotate key elements in a sample storyboard

Attend Online Storytelling Webinars

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Engage with professionals and learn from their experiences in visual storytelling.

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Find relevant webinars or online events focusing on storytelling
Attend the webinars and take notes on key insights
Connect with other attendees and discuss best practices

Read Communicate

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This book helps understand how to communicate effectively to be more successful in managing your team and projects. This will aid in creating your presentations and working with others on team projects.

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Read Chapters 2 through 4.
Read Chapters 8 through 10.

Six other activities

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Practice Storyboarding with a Sample Project

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Apply your storyboard skills by practicing on a mini-project.

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Select a simple visual presentation idea (e.g., social media ad, explainer video)
Create a basic storyboard outline for your idea
Use Canva to create a draft storyboard based on your outline

Offer Feedback on Storyboards

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Provide constructive criticism and support to other learners by reviewing their storyboards.

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Join online communities or forums related to visual storytelling
Offer to review storyboards shared by other members
Provide specific and actionable feedback on storyboard clarity, flow, and overall effectiveness

Craft a Storyboard Template

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Design a storyboard template in Canva to lay the foundation for your visual presentation.

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Choose a suitable Canva template
Customize the template with your own elements
Optimize the layout for clarity and flow

Participate in Storyboarding Workshops

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Enhance your storyboard skills through hands-on workshops.

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Find workshops led by experienced storyboard artists or designers
Attend the workshops and actively participate in exercises and discussions
Collaborate with other participants and learn from diverse perspectives

Explore Advanced Storyboarding Techniques

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Expand your knowledge by exploring advanced storyboarding techniques.

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Research online tutorials or courses on advanced storyboarding
Watch videos or read articles on best practices and industry standards
Apply your learnings to refine your storyboard template

Showcase Storyboard in a Portfolio

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Create a portfolio that highlights your storyboard skills.

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Compile your best storyboards and refine them
Create an online portfolio or website to showcase your work
Share your portfolio with potential clients or employers

Career center

Learners who complete Create a Storyboard using Canva will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers determine the educational needs and design training materials for educational institutions and corporations. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva help build a foundation in visual storytelling and sequential visual presentation techniques, which can support the development of effective and engaging training materials for learners in various settings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva provide practical experience in visual storytelling, layout, and design principles, which can help Graphic Designers enhance their skills in developing visually impactful designs for various platforms.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

UX Designer

UX Designers research, design, and evaluate the user experience of products and services. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva can provide a foundation in visual storytelling and user flow mapping, which can support UX Designers in creating user-centered and intuitive digital experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and content creation, which can support Marketing Managers in crafting engaging and effective marketing materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Content Creator

Content Creators develop and produce content for various platforms, including social media, websites, and blogs. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva can provide a foundation in visual storytelling and content planning, which can help Content Creators produce engaging and visually appealing content that resonates with their audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

Video Editor

Video Editors assemble and edit video footage to create cohesive and impactful videos. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and shot sequencing, which can support Video Editors in crafting engaging and effective video content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Editor

Animator

Animators create animated content for various platforms, including film, television, and video games. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and character design, which can support Animators in creating captivating and engaging animated content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Motion Graphics Artist

Motion Graphics Artists create visual effects and animated graphics for various platforms, including television, film, and video games. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and motion design, which can support Motion Graphics Artists in producing visually impactful and engaging content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Artist

Product Designer

Product Designers research, design, and develop digital and physical products. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and user experience design, which can support Product Designers in creating user-friendly and visually appealing products that meet user needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Art Director

Art Directors oversee the visual aspects of creative projects, including advertising campaigns, film productions, and magazine layouts. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and creative direction, which can support Art Directors in leading and executing visually impactful creative projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Photographer

Photographers capture images for various purposes, including journalism, commercial advertising, and fine art. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and composition, which can support Photographers in creating compelling and impactful images.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer

Illustrator

Illustrators create visual artwork for various purposes, including books, magazines, and advertising campaigns. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and character design, which can support Illustrators in creating engaging and visually appealing illustrations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and user interface design, which can support Web Developers in creating user-friendly and visually appealing websites that meet user needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers develop and execute social media strategies to promote products or services. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and content creation, which can support Social Media Managers in crafting engaging and effective social media content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Teacher

Teachers provide instruction and support to students in various educational settings. Courses like Create a Storyboard using Canva may be helpful in developing skills in visual storytelling and instructional design, which can support Teachers in creating engaging and effective lesson plans and presentations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Create a Storyboard using Canva.

Character Mentor

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Is written by a professional storyboard artist and provides insights into the techniques and tips that are essential for success in the field. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the art of storyboarding.

Cartoon Animation with Preston Blair, Revised...

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Provides a foundation in the fundamentals of animation, including drawing motion and creating effective storyboards.

Cartoon Animation with Preston Blair, Revised...

Paperback

Cartoon Animation with Preston Blair, Revised...

Kindle Edition

The Visual Story

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Comprehensive guide to storyboarding. It good choice for anyone who wants to learn more about the different aspects of storyboarding.

The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of...

Paperback

The Visual Story, Second Edition: Creating the...

Paperback

The Visual Story: Seeing the Structure of Film, TV...

Paperback

The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of...

Kindle Edition

Michael Chabon's The Escapist: Pulse-Pounding...

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Provides a comprehensive guide to the storytelling techniques used in graphic novels, offering insights that can be applied to storyboarding.

Michael Chabon's The Escapist: Pulse-Pounding...

Paperback

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Michael Chabon's The Escapist: Pulse-Pounding...

Kindle Edition

Check price

Doug Pratt's DVD-video Guide

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Practical guide to storyboarding for filmmakers. It good choice for anyone who wants to learn more about the specific requirements of storyboarding for film.

Doug Pratt's DVD-video Guide

Paperback

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Doug Pratt's DVD-video Guide

Kindle Edition

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