Best Practices

Canva

Create efficiently in Canva while preserving the approved NASPA system, shared templates, and accessible output.

Begin with the right template

Choose the template family that matches the communication goal before you begin editing.

Start from a Brand Portal link instead of a blank Canva file.
Choose the correct family: Announcement, Quote, Data, Webinar, Membership, or another approved format.
Published Brand Templates are managed by NASPA admins and brand designers. Use the template action and leave Brand Kit settings and permissions unchanged.
Use the supplied layout before requesting or creating a new variation.

Visual example

The Brand Kit and locked template elements keep work consistent across teams.

Use the approved color palette and Open Sans styles supplied in the template.
Insert logos from the Brand Kit; do not upload a recreated or downloaded screenshot.
Keep important text inside the safe area and shorten copy before shrinking the type.
Use approved solid colors, gradients, backgrounds, diamonds, and triangles only as documented.

Visual example

Avoid

A resized design is a new layout that needs review, not an automatic finished product.

Use Resize or Magic Switch as a starting point, then recompose each format intentionally.
Preview mobile crops, reading order, contrast, alternative text, and spelling.
Export PNG for text-led graphics, JPG for photographic content, and MP4 for motion.
Open the exported file and check it at actual publishing size.

Visual example

These external resources informed the draft’s structure and practices. They do not replace NASPA policy or MarComm approval.

Canva

Guidance for keeping brand assets, templates, and permissions consistent in Canva.

Canva

Canva guidance for adapting a design to another output size.

Canva

Canva guidance for contrast, alternative text, headings, reading order, and accessible PDF export.