The DesignPLUS toolbar make it easier for instructors to create content in Canvas that is visually engaging and accessible.

According to Ghai & Tandon, "visually pleasing designs can enhance usability, credibility, user satisfaction, and trustworthiness . . ." (2022).

DesignPLUS also provides options for instructors to present their content in ways that are unique to their teaching styles and content.

Enabling DesignPLUS in Canvas

  1. Go to the page you want to edit.
  2. Click the "Edit" button.
  3. Open the DesignPLUS toolbar with the keyboard shortcut:
    • Windows: Alt + Shift + D
    • Mac: Option + Shift + D
  4. If you do not want to use the keyboard shortcut every time, you can click on the kebab menu on the DesignPLUS toolbar and choose "User Settings."
    • Choose whether you want the DesignPLUS toolbar to always launch (first option) or whether you want the button to appear when editing a page (second option).
Design Plus sidebar

DesignPLUS Training

Examples of Content with DesignPLUS

Home Page

comparison of Canvas home page with and without Design Plus formatting
On the home page, DesignPLUS allows you to add icons and images that will break up content and make your online course warm and welcoming.

Syllabus

Without DesignPLUS

(see the full page screenshot for more detail)

A screenshot of a syllabus page in Canvas that doesn't use DesignPLUS. Part of the image is zoomed in to show details.
The formatting features in Canvas without DesignPLUS are somewhat limited.

With DesignPLUS

(see the full page screenshot for more detail)

A screenshot of a syllabus page in Canvas that uses DesignPLUS. Part of the image is zoomed in to show details.
DesignPLUS allows you to break up your content while still making use of accessibility features.

Pages

Without DesignPLUS

A screenshot of a page in Canvas that doesn't use DesignPLUS
Depending on how much content you have on a page in Canvas, it can be really overwhelming for students (and harder to keep track of where you are in the lesson).

With DesignPLUS

This page makes use of the accordion style in DesignPLUS.
This page makes use of the tabs style in DesignPLUS.

How COLRS Can Help

An example of editor only instructions in Canvas when using DesignPLUS

Examples

For examples from UIS faculty and staff, see the following pages: