Digital, Creative & Business
Canva Digital Design & Marketing
Fast, professional design and marketing content using Canva.
Syllabus at a glance
Around 4 weeks of guided study, with weekday evening or weekend sessions and short practical tasks between sessions.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Week 1 | Canva basics, templates and brand kits |
| 2 | Week 2 | Social posts, flyers and presentations |
| 3 | Week 3 | Short video and animation basics |
| 4 | Week 4 | Scheduling and content planning |
Module breakdown
- 1
Canva basics, templates and brand kits
Week 1Build a shared working vocabulary for canva basics, templates and brand kits and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind canva basics, templates and brand kits
- Step-by-step methods and templates for canva basics, templates and brand kits
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in canva basics, templates and brand kits, and how to avoid them
- Applying canva basics, templates and brand kits in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying canva basics, templates and brand kits to a local scenario.
- 2
Social posts, flyers and presentations
Week 2Work through the methods and tools used for social posts, flyers and presentations in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for social posts, flyers and presentations
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in social posts, flyers and presentations, and how to avoid them
- Applying social posts, flyers and presentations in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to social posts, flyers and presentations.
- 3
Short video and animation basics
Week 3Practise short video and animation basics on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in short video and animation basics, and how to avoid them
- Applying short video and animation basics in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your short video and animation basics work
Assessed work: Group simulation using short video and animation basics under time pressure.
- 4
Scheduling and content planning
Week 4Turn scheduling and content planning into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying scheduling and content planning in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your scheduling and content planning work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind scheduling and content planning
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use scheduling and content planning in your role.
Who this course is for
- • Learners, freelancers and small business owners who want practical, job-ready digital skills.
- • Programme, project and community staff who need structured, practical training.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional portfolio.
Entry requirements
- • Open to all learners; no formal qualification required.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • Practical component: Portfolio piece completed and reviewed in class.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Materials and support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Practice files and design or campaign briefs for each tool covered.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
Certification
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Produce branded content quickly
- Build a reusable template set
- Plan a weekly content calendar
Practical component
Portfolio piece completed and reviewed in class.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Ready to start Canva Digital Design & Marketing?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.