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Software Options

Canva

Canva is a graphics tool for creating slideshow presentations, posters, logos, infographics, social media posts, and more. Canva includes thousands of templates and a drag-and-drop interface. The free Canva plan provides access to templates, stock photos, graphics, and icons.

Tool Requirements

Supported Browsers

  • Latest version of Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari
  • Not compatible with mobile browsers

Operating System

  • Windows 8 or higher
  • Mac OS 10.9 or higher

Internet Connection

  • Required internet for editing & viewing media

Software Download

  • View & edit using a web browser
  • Android/iOS apps available

Account

  • Sign-up for a free account with Canva

Opportunities

  • Best for creating content with a focus on images rather than text, including website or blog graphics and engaging posters or flyers.
  • Access a library of photos, graphics, gifs, YouTube videos, and other elements to add to your content.
  • Share a design to collaborate in group projects. Allow your peers to comment on or edit your media.
  • Final products can be downloaded remotely as a PNG, JPG, or PDF file.
  • Published media for use on networking sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

Considerations

  • Collaboration does not allow multiple users to edit simultaneously. Instead, consider Microsoft Sway to create content you and your peers can edit at the same time.
  • Data for chart making has to be manually uploaded. Use Piktochart to create charts from existing Excel, Survey Monkey, and Google Drive files. Therefore, Infographics are better in Piktochart as well.
  • The embed code provided by Canva contains JavaScript that does not work in Canvas. Either download or share a link for your submissions.
  • To keep a visual private, download the visual and then submit it for an assignment. Any visuals that use the Share option are made publicly visible.

Additional Support

For details on how to use Canva, visit ERAU's Canva User Guide.

Piktochart

Piktochart is a browser-based tool that is used to create visuals including infographics, presentations, and printable graphics. It is ideal for users that are new to visual design tools and want a simple interface.

Tool Requirements

Supported Browsers

  • Latest version of Google Chrome or Firefox
  • Not compatiable with mobile browsers

Operating System

  • Windows 8 or higher
  • Mac OS 10.9 or higher

Internet Connection

  • Required internet for editing & viewing media

Software Download

  • View & edit using web browser

Account

Opportunities

  • Best used for data-driven visuals and focus on text-based content.
  • Access a library of photos, graphics, YouTube/Vimeo videos, and other elements to add to your content.
  • Allows you to import data from Google surveys, Survey Monkey, and Excel to create styled charts.
  • Interface makes it easy to duplicate content to help build similar designs in slides, infographic blocks, etc.
  • Allows you to create a regional map with comparative data.
  • Choose to download content into blocks (for printing) or as one continious image (for web page or file uploads).
  • Use Brand Assets to identify a color and font scheme for all visuals.

Considerations

  • Consider using Canva if you are interested in more design styles and template variety.
  • Storage is limited to 5 visuals. Consider Canva if you want more storage.
  • Does not allow for others to edit your content. To create collaborative visual media, use Canva.
  • The embed code provided by Piktochart contains JavaScript that does not work in Canvas. Either download or share a link for your submissions.
  • To keep a visual private, you must download the visual and then submit it for an assignment. Any visuals that use the Share option are made publicly visible.

Additional Support

For details on how to use Piktochart, visit ERAU's Piktochart User Guide.