Designing Great Slides with Canva

Designing Presentations That Empower: Lessons from Canva’s Creative Playbook

What does it take to create a presentation that not only looks great but truly empowers your audience? In their dynamic Present to Succeed session, Rob Kawalsky and Nick Belshaw—leaders at Canva—pull back the curtain on the real secrets behind effective, engaging presentations. Their message: it’s not about being a design expert, but about using the right tools, mindset, and collaboration to unlock creativity for everyone.

Why Presentations Matter: Beyond Pretty Slides

Rob and Nick open with a simple but powerful idea: presentations are more than slides—they’re opportunities to tell stories, inspire action, and connect people. Canva’s mission is to “empower the world to design,” and that means making visual communication accessible to all, not just professional designers. The most impactful presentations, they argue, are built on clarity, purpose, and a deep understanding of your audience’s needs.

The Canva Approach: Three Pillars for Presentation Success

Throughout the session, Rob and Nick outline a practical, three-part framework for creating standout presentations:

1. Start Inspired

   Don’t fear the blank page. Canva’s vast library of templates and content gives everyone a head start. Whether you’re building a business pitch, a classroom lesson, or a nonprofit campaign, you can find a design that fits your story—and make it your own.
   

2. Collaborate with Ease

   Great presentations are rarely solo efforts. Canva’s real-time collaboration tools let teams brainstorm, comment, and edit together—no matter where they are. Assign tasks, gather feedback, and iterate quickly, all within the platform. The result? Presentations that reflect diverse ideas and are stronger for it.
   

3. Engage Your Audience

   The best presentations invite participation. With features like Canva Live and talking presentations, presenters can interact with their audience, gather live feedback, and even record sessions for asynchronous sharing. It’s about turning presentations from one-way lectures into two-way conversations.
   

Real Stories: Empowerment in Action

Rob and Nick share stories of Canva users—from teachers and small business owners to global nonprofits—who’ve used the platform to achieve real goals. Whether it’s a job-winning CV, a fundraising campaign for the Red Cross, or a collaborative team brainstorm, the common thread is empowerment. By lowering the barriers to design, Canva helps people focus on their message and impact.

Behind the Scenes: Tools That Make a Difference

The session goes beyond theory, with live demos of Canva’s most powerful features:

• Brand Kit for visual consistency

• One-click background remover and smart mockups for professional polish

• Rich media integration (videos, GIFs, charts) to bring content to life

• Seamless sharing and privacy controls for secure collaboration

Rob and Nick’s advice: Don’t get lost in the details. Use the tools to support your story, not overshadow it. Start with your message, then let design amplify your voice.

Building Your Own Creative Toolkit

You don’t need to be a designer to create presentations that stand out. Start by clarifying your purpose, knowing your audience, and using the resources at your fingertips. Canva’s templates, collaboration features, and learning resources (like Canva Design School) are there to help you every step of the way.

Final Thoughts: Empowerment Over Perfection

The closing message from Rob and Nick is clear: The goal isn’t perfection—it’s empowerment. When you focus on clarity, collaboration, and engagement, you create presentations that move people. Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or just starting out, Canva gives you the tools to make your ideas shine.

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Join the Conversation

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