Course Content
Module 1: Getting Started with Canva Mobile App
Hii ndio mwanzo! In this module, we get to know the Canva app. We'll download it, create your free account, and get comfortable with the basics. Tuko sawa? You'll also learn the difference between the free and Pro versions, so you know exactly which tools you have to create beautiful designs without spending a coin.
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Lesson 1.1: The Why and How
06:27
Lesson 1.2: Your First Steps
00:00
Lesson 1.3: Free vs. Pro
Module 2: The Core Skills of a Canva Creator
Sawa, you’ve got the basics down! This module is where we get our hands dirty. You'll learn the essential skills you need to become a pro at using the free Canva app. We’ll cover everything from using templates (that's the easiest shortcut!) to working with different elements, text, and photos. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create your own unique designs from scratch.
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Lesson 2.1: The Power of Templates
Lesson 2.2: Working with Elements
Lesson 2.3: Mastering Text and Fonts
Lesson 2.4: Photos and Mockups
Module 3: Creating and Selling Your First Products
Sasa, it's time to build! In this module, you'll apply all the core skills you learned in Module 2 to create actual digital products that you can sell. We'll focus on products that are easy to design and have a high demand in the local market, like invitations, planners, labels, and even coloring books. By the end of this module, you'll have a small portfolio of completed designs that you can start selling to your friends, family, and online.
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Lesson 3.1: Birthday & Wedding Invitations
Lesson 3.2: Printable Calendars & Planners
Lesson 3.3: Product Labels & Bottle Wrappers
Lesson 3.4: Logo & Business Card Design
Module 4: Marketing & Selling Your Designs
You've learned all the skills you need to create beautiful products. Now, it's time to learn how to find customers and make sales. In this module, you'll learn simple, effective ways to market your designs using the tools you already have on your phone. We'll focus on selling to your network first and then finding new customers.
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Lesson 4.1: The Power of Your Phone
Lesson 4.2: Pricing & Professionalism
Using Canva Mobile App To Make Money (with Mwalimu Mkuu)

Lesson 1.2: Your First Steps

Now that you have the app, it’s time to get started for real. In this lesson, we will create your free account and then take a quick tour of the app’s main screen, so you know exactly where everything is.

Part 1: Creating Your Free Canva Account

Creating your account is quick and easy. Think of it like getting a key to a new house—you need it to go in and save your work. There are a few different ways to sign up, but all of them are free.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Open the App: Tap the Canva app icon you just downloaded. You will see a welcome screen.

  2. Choose How to Sign Up: Canva will give you a few options.

    • Continue with Google: If you already have a Gmail account, this is the fastest way. You just tap this button and choose your Gmail address from the list.

    • Continue with Facebook: If you use Facebook, you can link your account this way.

    • Continue with email: This option lets you use any email address you have. You will need to enter your name, email, and create a strong password.

  3. Create Your Password (if you chose email): Pick a password that is hard for others to guess. It should have a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Write it down somewhere safe so you don’t forget it.

  4. Tell Canva How You’ll Use It: The app will ask, “What will you be using Canva for?” Choose “Small Business” or “Personal.” This helps Canva show you the best templates for your goals.

That’s it! Your free account is ready.

Part 2: Getting to Know the Main Screen

Once you’re in, you’ll see the main screen, which is your Canva “dashboard.” It might look like there’s a lot going on, but let’s break it down into the most important parts.

Look at the bottom of your screen. You will see a few buttons that help you navigate.

  • Home: This is the button you tap to get back to the main screen. Here you’ll see a search bar at the top and a ton of templates suggested for you.

  • Projects: This is your personal storage. Any design you create or save will be found here. You can also organize your designs into folders.

  • Templates: This button takes you to a huge library of ready-made designs. You can search for anything here, like “Invitation,” “Poster,” or “Calendar.”

  • The Plus (+) Button: This is a big, colorful button usually at the bottom or middle of the screen. Tapping it lets you create a new design from scratch. It’s where your creativity begins!

  • Menu: The last button on the right is the menu. It has extra options like your settings and other apps that work with Canva. Don’t worry about this one too much for now.

The most important parts for you will be Home, Projects, and the Plus (+) button. We’ll be using these three a lot in our lessons!

Now you know how to get into Canva and where to find the most important buttons. You are all set for the next lesson where we will talk about the difference between free and Pro features.

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Learning doesn’t stop at the classroom. It starts wherever curiosity lives.

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