Let’s talk DIY for a minute. You’ve got the idea, the heart and the Canva window open, but somewhere between ‘this’ll do’ and ‘graphic design is my passion’, things got a little wonky. There’s a bajillion options of designs in Canva and on the interwebs which makes it super easy to go all squirrel mode and forget why you even opened Canva to begin with.

So if your designs are feeling more ‘eh’ than ‘effortless’ and you’re sitting back like ‘how tf did I end up here with this looking like…this’. It’s okay. Don’t sweat it. Here are a few common DIY design mistakes I see all the time and how you can fix them fast in Canva so your visuals work as hard as you do.

1. Too Many Fonts, Not Enough Function

If your design is having a full identity crisis with four different fonts screaming for attention, it’s time for a little typography TLC.

Fix It in Canva:

• Stick to two fonts max: One for headlines, one for body copy. Maybe a third if you really know what you’re doing, but let’s walk before we run.
• Use font pairs that naturally vibe together. Canva even has pre-curated font pairings. Type “font combinations” into the search bar and boom.

Pro Tip: If your headline is a script font, keep your body text clean and legible. Balance is key, my friend. And for the love of baby jebus, make it legible. You have 3 seconds to get your audience’s attention. Don’t make them work hard to read how you can help them.

2. Colors That Clash (or Yawn)

Color is emotional. It’s the first thing people notice, and if your palette feels more like a crayon box explosion (or worse, just…gray on beige?), we need to rethink your vibe.

Fix It in Canva:

• Choose 3-5 brand colors and stick with them. Canva lets you set a Brand Kit (even on the free plan!), so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time.
• Use contrast to your advantage. Light backgrounds + dark text = legibility. High contrast = attention-grabbing.
• Use the color picker to match tones in photos or graphics so everything feels cohesive and intentional, not accidental.

Pro Tip: Tools like Coolors or Canva’s color palette generator are great if you’re starting from scratch. Extra bonus, try UI Colors so you can see how you can layer your colors without compromising your brand colors. I use that UI Colors ALL the time. It’s my #1 go to for color depth and layering.

3. Alignment? Never Heard of Her.

Your text is all over the place. Your logo is just kinda floating. Your photo is juuuust slightly off-center and it’s lowkey making everyone twitchy.

Fix It in Canva:

• Use those alignment lines, baby. Canva will auto-snap elements into place, just drag and wait for the pink lines to guide you.
• Group elements together (select and hit ⌘G or Ctrl+G) so they move as a unit and keep their spacing intact.
• Use the position tool (top right) to center things perfectly, whether it’s vertical, horizontal, or both.

Pro Tip: Set up a template with a grid system or use Canva’s built-in guides. Your designs will suddenly feel 3x more polished and editorial.

You Don’t Need to Be a Designer—You Just Need Some Strategy

Look, you don’t need a degree in graphic design to create visuals that look good and get clicks. Especially when you’re just starting out or if you’ve already worked with a brand designer and you have the goods. You just need a little guidance (hi 👋), a solid Canva plan, and maybe a playlist to keep things groovin’.

Ready to take things to the next level? I’ve got three ways to help you clean up your visuals and boost your brand confidence:

1. Grab Your Free Brand Spring Clean Checklist

It’s basically the Marie Kondo of branding—super satisfying, super easy, and you’ll feel 10x more confident after.
👉 Download it here

2. Join My Newsletter

Think of it as your weekly brand pep talk, packed with smart design tips, Canva hacks, and the occasional meme that perfectly sums up entrepreneurship.
👉 Get on the newsletter here

3. Snag Some Canva Templates

If DIY is your thing but you’d rather skip the messy middle, my template shop is here to save your brain cells. Gorgeous, easy-to-use designs that feel custom (without the custom price tag).
👉 Shop the Yes You Canva template shop

Let’s dust off the old and welcome in the fresh, strategic, and actually you version of your brand. You’ve got this—and I’ve got your back.