This guide is perfect for designers, marketers, and creators who want to find Canva elements faster and make their projects stand out. By learning how to use the right keywords, you’ll save time and uncover hidden design assets you never knew existed.
Unlock the Power of Canva Elements with the Right Keywords
I remember when I first started using Canva. I would spend hours scrolling through thousands of design elements, trying to find the perfect graphic for my project. It was frustrating and time-consuming.
Then I discovered the secret: using the right keywords.
Today, I want to share everything I’ve learned about Canva elements keywords. This guide will help you find exactly what you need in seconds, not hours. Whether you’re creating social media posts, presentations, or marketing materials, the right search terms will change how you design.
Let’s jump in and explore how to unlock Canva’s full potential.
What Are Canva Elements?
Canva Elements are ready-made design pieces you can add to your projects with just one click. Think of them as your design toolbox filled with everything you need to create stunning visuals.
Here’s what you’ll find in the Elements library:
- Graphics and illustrations in every style imaginable
- Photos and stock images for professional designs
- Videos and animated elements to make content pop
- Audio tracks and sound effects
- Shapes, lines, and frames to organize your layout
- Stickers and icons for fun, engaging designs
These elements help you build beautiful designs for social media, presentations, flyers, and marketing materials. They save you hours of work because you don’t need to create everything from scratch.
Now, Canva offers two types of elements. Free elements are available to everyone with a Canva account. Pro elements require a Canva Pro subscription, which gives you access to over 100 million premium graphics, photos, and videos.
The best part? Both free and Pro elements come with commercial use licenses. This means you can use them in your business projects without worrying about copyright issues.
Why Using the Right Keywords Matters in Canva
Using the right keywords in Canva is like having a GPS for your design journey. Without good keywords, you’re basically wandering around hoping to stumble upon what you need.
Let me explain why keywords are so important.
When you search for “flower,” Canva might show you 30 million results. That’s overwhelming. But when you search for “watercolor wildflower,” you get specific results that match exactly what you’re looking for.
Specific keywords help you discover hidden gems that other designers miss. Many beautiful elements are buried in Canva’s massive library. The only way to find them is by using descriptive search terms.
Keywords also save you tons of time. Instead of scrolling for hours, you can find the perfect element in minutes. This means you can focus on actually designing instead of just searching.
Think about it this way. Generic keywords like “background” or “icon” give you millions of results. But combining keywords like “minimalist geometric background” or “hand-drawn coffee icon” takes you straight to what you need.
The difference between good and bad keywords can literally save you hours every single week.
How to Search for Elements in Canva
Let me walk you through the exact process I use to find elements in Canva. It’s simple once you know the steps.
Step 1: Open the Elements Tab in Canva
First, open your Canva project. Look at the left sidebar. You’ll see several icons there.
Click on the Elements icon. It looks like a square with a folded corner.
Once you click it, you’ll see different categories pop up. These include graphics, photos, videos, audio, and more. Each category contains millions of design assets.
Step 2: Enter Your Keyword in the Search Bar
At the top of the Elements panel, you’ll see a search bar. This is where the magic happens.
Type in descriptive terms related to what you need. Be specific. Instead of typing “flower,” try “boho wildflower” or “vintage floral border.”
The more descriptive you are, the better your results will be. Don’t be afraid to combine multiple words. Canva’s search engine loves detail.
Step 3: Filter Results by Type, Style, and License
After searching, you’ll see results appear below. But wait, there’s more you can do.
Look for filter options at the top of your results. You can filter by:
- Graphics, photos, videos, or audio
- Free vs Pro content
- Animated vs static elements
- Color schemes
These filters help you narrow down results even further. If you’re on a free plan, filtering for free elements saves you time by hiding Pro-only content.
Step 4: Browse and Select Your Desired Element
Now comes the fun part. Browse through the results and preview elements by hovering over them.
When you find something you like, click on it. The element will appear on your canvas.
From there, you can customize it. Change the colors to match your brand. Resize it to fit your layout. Add effects like shadows or transparency.
You can also click the three dots on any element to see more options. This includes viewing all keywords associated with that element or finding similar designs.
Best Canva Elements Keywords by Category
I’ve tested hundreds of keywords to find the ones that work best. Here are my top picks organized by category.
Keywords for Business and Marketing Designs
When you’re creating professional content, try these keywords:
- business icon
- professional graphic
- corporate template
- marketing badge
- sales banner
- office illustration
- presentation element
- business infographic
- professional mockup
- corporate frame
These keywords help you find clean, professional elements perfect for business presentations and marketing materials.
Keywords for Social Media Content
Social media designs need to grab attention fast. Use these keywords:
- Instagram story frame
- social media icon
- engagement sticker
- trending graphic
- story template
- social badge
- interactive element
- highlight cover
- post frame
- content sticker
These search terms will help you create scroll-stopping social media content that gets engagement.
Keywords for Nature and Landscape Elements
Nature elements add organic beauty to any design. Try searching:
- floral border
- mountain illustration
- nature background
- tropical leaf
- sunset scene
- botanical graphic
- forest element
- ocean wave
- garden flower
- wilderness landscape
These keywords bring natural beauty into your designs.
Keywords for Abstract and Geometric Designs
For modern, clean designs, use these keywords:
- geometric shape
- abstract pattern
- minimalist line
- modern frame
- gradient background
- abstract blob
- organic shape
- geometric frame
- abstract scribble
- minimal graphic
Abstract elements add contemporary style to any project.
Keywords for Holiday and Seasonal Graphics
Seasonal content needs timely elements. Search for:
- Christmas ornament
- Halloween icon
- Easter decoration
- birthday balloon
- festive banner
- holiday frame
- seasonal graphic
- celebration element
- party decoration
- winter illustration
These keywords help you create relevant content for every season and holiday.
Keywords for People and Lifestyle Illustrations
When you need people in your designs, try:
- diverse characters
- working professional
- family illustration
- lifestyle graphic
- teamwork icon
- people avatar
- character illustration
- person silhouette
- lifestyle scene
- human figure
These searches give you diverse, inclusive representations of people for your projects.
Advanced Keyword Search Tips for Canva Elements
Now let me share some advanced tricks that will take your Canva search skills to the next level.
Use descriptive adjectives before your main keyword. Words like minimalist, vintage, colorful, hand-drawn, and watercolor completely change your results.
For example, searching “icon” gives you generic results. But searching “hand-drawn icon” shows you unique, artistic elements.
Try combining style and subject in your searches. Here are examples that work great:
- flat design icon
- line art flower
- 3D mockup
- retro badge
- watercolor splash
- brush stroke gold
- neon frame
- sketch style
You can also search by mood or theme. Words like elegant, playful, corporate, whimsical, and bold help Canva understand the vibe you’re going for.
Another pro tip: use Canva’s suggested searches. When you type a keyword, Canva shows related searches below the search bar. These suggestions often lead to hidden gems you wouldn’t have thought to search for.
How to Find Trending and Popular Canva Elements
Staying current with design trends keeps your content fresh and relevant. Here’s how I find trending elements.
Canva often features curated collections on their homepage. These collections showcase trending styles and popular elements. Check them regularly to see what’s hot.
Pay attention to seasonal trends. Around holidays and events, search for seasonal keywords like “Christmas,” “summer,” “back to school,” or “Valentine’s Day.”
You can also explore specific creator collections. Many talented designers publish element sets with consistent styles. Search for creator names using the @ symbol, like @sketchify or @marsaladigital.
Follow design trends outside of Canva too. What are popular brands doing? What styles are you seeing on social media? Then search for similar keywords in Canva.
Current popular styles include:
- Scandi (minimalist Nordic-inspired designs)
- Moody (dark, atmospheric elements)
- Grunge (edgy, textured graphics)
- Muted (soft, subdued tones)
- Collage (mixed-media style)
These trending keywords give you access to contemporary design elements.
Using Specific vs Generic Keywords
This is probably the most important lesson I can teach you about Canva keywords.
Generic keywords are broad and vague. They include words like “background,” “icon,” “graphic,” or “frame.” These searches return millions of results, making it hard to find what you need.
Specific keywords are detailed and precise. They paint a clear picture of what you want. Examples include “modern geometric background,” “hand-drawn coffee cup icon,” or “watercolor floral frame.”
Let me show you the difference with an example.
Searching for “coffee” might give you photos of coffee cups, coffee beans, coffee shops, and random coffee-related items. It’s too broad.
But searching for “coffee cup icon” gives you exactly what you need: icon-style illustrations of coffee cups.
Taking it further, “line art coffee cup icon” narrows it down to a specific style.
Here’s my strategy: start with a specific keyword. If you don’t find what you want, you can always make it more generic. But starting generic means endless scrolling.
Layer your keywords for precise results. Use this formula: style + subject + format. For example:
- minimalist + flower + border
- vintage + badge + frame
- modern + geometric + pattern
This layered approach gives you exactly what you’re looking for without wasting time.
Best Practices for Searching Canva Elements
After years of using Canva, I’ve developed a system that works every time. Here are my best practices.
Start broad, then narrow down. Begin with a general keyword to see what’s available. Then use filters and more specific terms to zoom in on what you need.
Experiment with synonyms and related terms. If “icon” doesn’t give you good results, try “graphic,” “illustration,” or “element.” Different keywords often reveal different design styles.
Save your favorite elements as you find them. When you see an element you like, click the star icon or three dots to favorite it. This builds your personal library of go-to assets.
Use the “Magic Recommendations” feature. After adding an element to your design, Canva suggests similar elements. This is perfect for finding matching graphics in the same style.
Copy elements from templates. Found a great element in a Canva template? Copy it and paste it into your own design. This is a sneaky way to discover great elements you might not find through regular search.
Check element information for more keywords. Click on an element, then click the “i” button or three dots. You’ll see all the keywords associated with that element. This gives you ideas for related searches.
Create folders for different project types. Organize your starred elements into folders like “Social Media,” “Business,” or “Nature.” This makes finding saved elements much easier later.
How to Customize Canva Elements After Finding Them
Finding the perfect element is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you customize it to match your brand.
Changing colors is the easiest way to make elements your own. Click on the element, then click on the colored square in the toolbar. Choose your brand colors or any color you want.
Many elements let you change individual colors. For example, if an illustration has multiple colors, you can change each one separately.
Resizing and rotating elements helps them fit your layout perfectly. Click and drag the corner handles to resize. Keep shift pressed while dragging to maintain proportions.
To rotate, click and drag the curved arrow at the top of the element. You can also enter exact rotation degrees in the toolbar.
Apply effects to make elements stand out. Canva offers several effects:
- Shadows add depth and dimension
- Transparency makes elements blend with backgrounds
- Blur creates soft, dreamy effects
- Outlines make elements pop
You can duplicate elements to create patterns or repeat designs. Just copy and paste, or hold Alt (Option on Mac) while dragging.
Layer elements to create complex designs. Put text over images, stack shapes to create new forms, or combine multiple elements into custom graphics.
Don’t forget to group elements together. When you’ve created something complex, select all the elements and group them. This makes them easier to move and resize together.
Common Mistakes When Searching for Canva Elements
I’ve made all these mistakes myself, so learn from my experience.
The biggest mistake is using overly vague keywords. Words like “design,” “graphic,” or “image” are too broad. They don’t tell Canva what you actually want.
Ignoring filter options wastes time. If you’re on a free plan, filter for free elements right away. If you need animated elements, filter for animations. Use filters to save yourself from scrolling past irrelevant results.
Not exploring alternative keywords limits your options. If one keyword doesn’t work, try related terms. Think about different ways to describe what you need.
Many people give up too quickly. Sometimes you need to try five or six different keyword combinations before finding the perfect element. Be patient and keep experimenting.
Another mistake is not checking element licenses. While most Canva elements are free for commercial use, always verify the license if you’re using designs for business purposes.
Forgetting to save favorite elements means searching for the same things repeatedly. Make it a habit to star elements you like. Your future self will thank you.
Finally, not customizing elements makes designs look generic. Take time to change colors, resize, and adjust elements to match your unique brand style.
Canva Pro Elements vs Free Elements
People always ask me if Canva Pro is worth it. Let me break down the differences.
Canva Free gives you access to thousands of elements. You can create beautiful designs without spending a penny. However, many premium elements will have a Pro badge and require payment or upgrade.
Canva Pro unlocks over 100 million photos, videos, and graphics. That’s a massive difference. You get:
- Access to all premium elements without individual payments
- More fonts and typography options
- Advanced features like background remover
- Brand kit for consistent branding
- Animation and video features
- Premium templates
For occasional users, the free plan might be enough. But if you’re creating content regularly, Pro pays for itself quickly.
Think about it this way: buying just a few Pro elements individually costs more than a month of Pro. Plus, you get unlimited access to everything.
I upgraded to Pro after my third month using Canva. The time I saved and the quality of my designs improved dramatically. For anyone serious about design, it’s absolutely worth the investment.
You can try Canva Pro free for 30 days to see if it works for you. Most people who try it end up keeping it because the value is so clear.
How to Organize and Save Your Favorite Elements
Organization is key to working efficiently in Canva. Here’s my system for keeping everything organized.
Start by favoriting elements as you find them. When you see something you like, click the three dots and select “Star” or click the star icon. This saves the element to your starred collection.
Access your starred elements anytime by clicking “Starred” in the left panel of Canva. This shows everything you’ve saved.
But don’t stop there. Create folders to organize elements by category. You might have folders for:
- Social media graphics
- Business icons
- Nature elements
- Text elements
- Backgrounds
To create folders, go to your starred elements and click “Create folder.” Name it and start adding elements by dragging and dropping.
I also recommend building a personal library of go-to design assets. These are your absolute favorites that you use regularly. Keep them in a special “Favorites” folder for quick access.
Another tip: create mood boards for different projects. Make a design with all the elements, colors, and styles you want to use for a specific project. Save this as a template for easy reference.
Clean out your starred elements periodically. Delete things you no longer use. This keeps your library manageable and easier to navigate.
Top Keyword Combinations for Popular Design Niches
Different industries need different design elements. Here are keyword combinations that work great for specific niches.
E-commerce Keywords
- product mockup
- shopping icon
- sale badge
- discount sticker
- shopping cart
- price tag
- e-commerce graphic
- online store element
- product frame
- retail icon
Education Keywords
- school icon
- study graphic
- teacher illustration
- learning template
- education badge
- book graphic
- student element
- classroom illustration
- academic icon
- knowledge graphic
Health and Wellness Keywords
- yoga illustration
- healthy food icon
- fitness badge
- wellness graphic
- meditation element
- exercise icon
- nutrition graphic
- health symbol
- mindfulness illustration
- workout element
Food and Restaurant Keywords
- recipe card
- food illustration
- restaurant menu
- cooking icon
- culinary graphic
- food badge
- kitchen element
- dining illustration
- chef graphic
- meal icon
Real Estate Keywords
- house icon
- property illustration
- real estate badge
- home graphic
- building element
- architecture icon
- property frame
- real estate symbol
- home buyer graphic
- realtor element
These niche-specific keywords help you find exactly what you need for your industry.
Conclusion: Master Canva Elements Keywords for Faster, Better Designs
Using the right keywords transforms your Canva experience from frustrating to fun.
Remember these key points:
Be specific with your searches. Combine style, subject, and format for precise results.
Use filters to narrow down options quickly. Save yourself from endless scrolling by filtering for exactly what you need.
Experiment with different keyword combinations. Don’t give up if the first search doesn’t work. Try synonyms and related terms.
Save and organize your favorite elements. Build a personal library of go-to assets for faster designing.
Customize elements to match your brand. Change colors, resize, and add effects to make elements uniquely yours.
The right keywords unlock Canva’s full potential. With over 100 million elements available, knowing how to search effectively gives you an enormous advantage.
Start practicing with the keywords I’ve shared today. Try different combinations. Explore new styles. Build your library of favorite elements.
The more you practice, the better you’ll get at finding exactly what you need. Soon you’ll be creating professional designs in minutes instead of hours.
Now go create something amazing. Your perfect design element is just a keyword search away.
FAQs About Canva Elements Keywords
1. What are the best keywords to find Canva Elements quickly?
The best keywords combine specific style words with subject matter. Try terms like “minimalist line icon,” “watercolor flower,” “hand-drawn badge,” or “modern geometric pattern.” Specific keywords work better than generic ones like “icon” or “graphic.”
2. How do I filter Canva Elements by style or category?
After searching for elements, use the filter options at the top of your results. You can filter by graphics, photos, videos, free vs Pro content, and even by color. Click “See all” above any category to view more filtering options.
3. Can I use Canva Elements for commercial projects?
Yes. Both free and Canva Pro elements come with licenses for commercial use. You can use them in business projects, marketing materials, and client work. However, you cannot resell the elements themselves or claim them as your own creation.
4. What’s the difference between free and Pro Elements?
Free elements are available to all Canva users at no cost. Pro elements require a Canva Pro subscription and are marked with a crown icon. Pro users get access to over 100 million premium photos, videos, and graphics compared to thousands of free options.
5. How do I save my favorite Canva Elements?
Click on any element and select the star icon or three dots, then choose “Star.” Access your saved elements by clicking “Starred” in the left panel. You can also create folders to organize elements by category or project type.
6. Why can’t I find the element I’m looking for in Canva?
Try different keyword combinations and synonyms. Use more specific or more generic terms depending on your results. Also check Canva’s suggested searches below the search bar for related terms. Sometimes browsing creator collections (using @creatorname) reveals hidden elements.
7. Are there trending keywords for seasonal designs?
Yes. Search for seasonal terms like “Christmas ornament,” “Halloween icon,” “summer vacation,” “back to school,” “spring floral,” or “winter holiday.” Canva updates seasonal elements regularly, so timing your searches around holidays gives you the best selection.
8. How do I search for specific illustration styles like flat or 3D?
Add style descriptors before your subject keyword. Try “flat design icon,” “3D mockup,” “line art illustration,” “hand-drawn graphic,” “watercolor painting,” or “sketch style.” These style modifiers help you find elements in specific artistic styles.
9. Can I upload my own elements to Canva?
Yes, you can upload your own images, graphics, and videos to use in your designs. Click the “Uploads” tab in the left panel and drag your files there. However, you cannot publish elements for other Canva users unless you’re accepted into Canva’s Creator program.
10. What are some creative keyword combinations for unique designs?
Try combining unexpected words like “cosmic geometric,” “vintage digital,” “moody minimal,” “grunge floral,” “retro modern,” or “boho professional.” Mixing contrasting styles often reveals unique elements that make your designs stand out from the crowd.
