Video Tutorial: Master the Design Process to Create Pretty Pop-Ups

In our last Canva 101 tutorial, we talked all about type and touched on different typographic terms, how and where to find inspiration, and mixing and matching typefaces. If you're a beginner or just need a refresh, check out The Art of Choosing the Right Typeface and don't forget to download the super helpful style guides that we created for you when you're working on your next project with type.

In this week's Canva 101 tutorial, Master the Design Process, Haute Stock's Design Expert LeAnna Weller Smith takes us through her design process to create an IKEA-inspired pop-up graphic.

Now, we know the graphic below might not resonate with YOUR brand style, but don't let that sway you from checking out this extra haute tutorial! In it, LeAnna will walk you through her step-by-step process that will take you from concept to completion in under 15 minutes!

You'll learn the design process you need to create a pretty pop-up of your own that suits your brand style perfectly!

Be sure to follow along as LeAnna guides you through the following phases that will get your creative ideas flowing when starting any new design project. Trust us, the goods in this one will keep you inspired so you can finally say "buh-bye" to hours of staring at a blank screen!

What we cover (along with design tips spread throughout): 

1. Research and Inspiration
2. Selecting Photos and Design Elements
3. Choosing Complimentary Colors
4. Testing and Deciding Which Fonts to Use
5. Putting it All Together

 

Before we begin, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• If you haven't already, create an account with Canva. There's a free version as well as a 'Canva for Work' version that has more bells and whistles....either will do.

• We will be using the card size 5.5 in x 4.25 in. for this video. So, if you want to follow along you can start there or you can start with a graphic size that suits your needs.

• Make sure to grab one of your favorite Haute Stock images and Graphic Pack Art to use as you walk your way through the tutorial.

Now what are you waiting for? Let's get started!

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This post was written by LeAnna Weller Smith: Executive Creative Director, Weller Smith Design & Design Expert, Haute Chocolate.

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Design Roundup: Get creative with your graphics!

We've recently rebranded from Haute Chocolate to Haute Stock. New name, same beautiful images. 

Hey hautie, in case you missed our recent design tips and video tutorials, we've put them in one easy spot for you to refer to. If you need inspo for creative ways to use your stock photos, want to know how to add a gradient to your image in Canva, or need a quick typography refresh, scroll down to find out how! 

 

1 / 7 CREATIVE WAYS TO CUSTOMIZE STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOUR BRAND

In this first post, we discussed 7 creative ways to use mockups, flatlays and other types of styled stock to customize and personalize your current brand styling. We used some examples created by our Haute Stock (formerly, Haute Chocolate) members, and some of our own made in Canva, to show you the different ways you can utilize your styled stock images to create interesting and eye-catching graphics. 

2 / VIDEO TUTORIAL: HOW TO CUSTOMIZE STOCK PHOTOS USING FILTERS, GRADIENTS AND OVERLAYS

We want to help you create customized images that match YOUR brand's style. This new Canva 101 Tutorial shows you how to use Color Overlays, Filters and Gradients to create SIX different graphics using the SAME styled stock image; how haute is that? 

3 / VIDEO TUTORIAL: THE ART OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPEFACE

Typography got you confused? Design Expert, LeAnna shared her tried and true methods for choosing the right typeface for branded graphics. While it might sound simple, even the most experienced designers need to spend time mixing and matching different fonts and typefaces to obtain the desired effect.  

In addition to the video tutorial, we have a FREE style guide download for you to use as a reference. Scroll to the bottom of that blog post to get it! 

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Well, that's a wrap! We LOVE hearing from you hauties, so if you like what we've been sharing or if there's something specific you'd like us to talk about make sure to like, share or comment below. If you try one of our tutorials or suggestions, we would love to see your work, so tag us on social with #hautestock and we just might feature you and your business! 

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This post was written by LeAnna Weller Smith: Executive Creative Director, Weller Smith Design & Design Expert, Haute Chocolate.

Video Tutorial: The Art of Choosing the Right Typeface

Last week our Canva 101 Tutorial showed you how to use color overlays, filters and gradients to create six different styles of graphics using the same stock image.

To take that a step further, this week we will discuss typography and how, by selecting the right typeface for your project, you can further customize your branded graphics.

Over the years, I have designed book covers for a wide variety of topics, all requiring a different look to match their specific brand style. For example, when I worked on a cover for a French book on Style, the look was completely different than what I designed for the cover of cookbook that featured Paleo Recipes.

Forever Chic, Book Cover Designed by LeAnna Weller Smith

Frozen Paleo, Book Cover Designed by LeAnna Weller Smith

Had I chosen to use the same type treatments for both, they would definitely not have resonated with the customers they were intended to attract. The same goes for designing graphics that represent your brand. You wouldn't want to use fonts that don't fit your style or that don't resonate with your target market.

How do you go about selecting the right typeface for your brand when there are soooo many to choose from?

Coming from someone that has worked with tons of different typefaces and fonts, while I often know what will work best, occasionally even an expert like myself needs to spend time mixing and matching to obtain the desired effect.

So, to make things easier for you, I thought it would be fun to put together a few sample styles along with tips for choosing typefaces for your next set of branded graphics.

Be sure to check out the short video tutorial below that shows some of these tips in action and as a BONUS, we have a FREE typography style guide for you to use as a reference!

Here are some important tips to keep in mind when choosing fonts:

1. Take a look on the web to find inspiration for type treatments (ie. a combination of types that look good together) that you like. From those, you can try to emulate that style using typefaces that are available to you from within Canva, Google Fonts or you can download fonts from sites like Creative Market, Dafont.com and Font Squirrel. Bonus: If you have Canva for Work, you can upload your brand fonts to use on your graphics.

2. Generally I like to have a font suite of 3 different typefaces which often includes:  

• Serif - those classic typefaces that have what we call "feet", like Bodoni, Times and Playfair.
• Sans Serif - you guessed it — fonts with no "feet", like Helvetica, Montserrat and Aileron.
• Finally, some sort of script face (the key here is to make sure it is a readable script, could be flowy or handwritten), like Allura or Mr Dafoe.

*All the fonts mentioned are available in Canva for reference.*

Now you're ready to start designing...So let's get to it!

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This post and video tutorial were created by LeAnna Weller Smith: Executive Creative Director, Weller Smith Design & Design Expert, Haute Chocolate

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Don't forget to grab your free typography style guide BELOW!