Canva Design Essentials - Carousels, Infographics, Reels

Updated in 24th of March 2025

by McFAI — Tech

Canva makes creating carousels, infographics, and reels covers relatively straightforward. Here`s a breakdown of how to design each of these:

1. Creating Carousels in Canva:


Determine Your Dimensions:

  • Instagram carousels often use square (1080 x 1080 pixels) or landscape (1080 x 1350 pixels) formats.
  • Decide how many slides you want in your carousel.
  • If you`re using the landscape format, you will need to multiply 1080 by the amount of slides you want. For example, 3 slides would be 3240x1350 pixels.

Create a Custom Design:

  • In Canva, click "Create a design" and enter your custom dimensions.
  • For a seamless transition between slides, ensure your design flows smoothly across the entire canvas.

Design Your Slides:

  • Divide your canvas into the desired number of slides using guides or rulers.
  • Add text, images, icons, and other elements to each slide.
  • Maintain a consistent visual style throughout the carousel.
  • Use elements that span across multiple slides to create a sense of continuity.

Download Your Slides:

  • Download your design as a PNG or JPEG file.
  • If you created one large image, you will need to use a tool to split the image into individual slides. There are many free online tools that can do this.
  • Upload the individual slides to Instagram.

2. Creating Infographics in Canva:


Choose a Template or Start from Scratch:

  • Canva offers a wide variety of infographic templates. Browse the templates to find one that suits your needs.
  • Alternatively, create a custom design with your desired dimensions. Infographics are commonly tall and narrow.

Organize Your Information:

  • Structure your infographic with clear headings, subheadings, and sections.
  • Use visuals to represent data, such as charts, graphs, and icons.

Design Your Infographic:

  • Use Canva`s design elements to create a visually appealing infographic.
  • Maintain a consistent color palette and font style.
  • Use white space to improve readability.

Download Your Infographic:

  • Download your infographic as a PNG or PDF file.

3. Creating Reels Covers in Canva:


Use the Instagram Story or Post Dimensions:

  • Reels covers should have the same aspect ratio as Instagram stories (1080 x 1920 pixels) or Instagram posts (1080 x 1080 pixels).
  • It is best practice to use the 1080x1920 dimensions.

Design Your Cover:

  • Use Canva`s design elements to create an eye-catching cover.
  • Include a clear title or text that indicates the content of your reel.
  • Use high-quality images or videos.
  • Make sure that the most important information is in the center of the image, so that it is not cropped out when viewing the reels grid.

Download Your Cover:

  • Download your cover as a PNG or JPEG file.
  • Upload it to Instagram when you upload your reel.

Canva Tips:


  • Use Templates: Canva`s templates can save you time and provide design inspiration.
  • Use Grids and Rulers: Grids and rulers help you align elements and create a consistent layout.
  • Use Color Palettes: Canva`s color palettes can help you create a cohesive design.
  • Use High-Quality Images: Use high-resolution images to avoid pixelation.
  • Use Canva`s Animation Features: Add animations to your carousels and reels covers to make them more engaging.
  • Canva Pro: Canva Pro unlocks more advanced features, such as background removal, brand kits, and access to a larger library of design elements.



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