DesignPLUS for Canvas

What Is DesignPLUS?

DesignPLUS is a suite of tools that integrates directly with Canvas and helps instructors create visually engaging, organized, and interactive course content without needing to write HTML or CSS.

At Arkansas State University, DesignPLUS is available to all instructors but is optional. Courses can be built and taught successfully using Canvas alone. However, DesignPLUS can make it easier to create consistent course designs, improve content organization, support accessibility, and engage students through interactive learning activities.

Note: Many university course templates include DesignPLUS elements. You do not need to know how to create or edit DesignPLUS content to use these templates successfully.

Getting Started with DesignPLUS

DesignPLUS works alongside Canvas's Rich Content Editor (RCE), allowing instructors to create layouts, interactive activities, and visual content directly within Canvas pages, assignments, discussions, announcements, and other course materials.

If you are new to DesignPLUS, we recommend exploring the following resources:

Opening the DesignPLUS Sidebar

To open the DesignPLUS Sidebar while editing content in Canvas:

OR

Once opened, the sidebar provides access to page layouts, interactive content, accessibility tools, and other DesignPLUS features.

Key Features of DesignPLUS

🎨 Create Professional Course Pages

DesignPLUS provides drag-and-drop elements that allow instructors to create attractive and consistent course pages without editing HTML.

Examples include:

These tools can help organize course materials and create a polished learning environment.

📚 Organize Content

DesignPLUS includes several tools that help structure information and improve navigation.

Common organizational elements include:

These elements can help break large amounts of information into manageable sections, reduce scrolling, and improve readability.

✅ Add Interactive Learning Activities

DesignPLUS allows instructors to embed simple learning interactions directly within Canvas pages.

Available activities include:

These activities can support:

Because these interactions are embedded directly within the lesson content, students can check their understanding without leaving the page.

Tip: Consider placing knowledge checks throughout a lesson rather than only at the end. Frequent opportunities for practice can help students monitor their understanding as they learn.

♿ Support Accessibility

DesignPLUS includes an Accessibility Checker that reviews individual pages and identifies common accessibility concerns while content is being edited.

Common issues identified include:

The Accessibility Checker is one component of a broader set of Cidi Labs tools available to instructors.

➤ See: Course Accessibility Tools and Support

🔄 Create Consistent Course Designs

DesignPLUS layouts and templates help instructors maintain a consistent visual structure throughout a course.

Consistency helps students:

Best Practices

✅ Design for Learning First

Effective course design begins with clear learning objectives and well-organized content. DesignPLUS should support learning rather than simply enhance appearance.

✅ Use Headings Consistently

Use Canvas heading styles to organize content into logical sections. Consistent headings improve both readability and accessibility.

✅ Avoid Overloading Pages

Interactive activities and design elements can improve engagement, but too many on a single page may overwhelm students. Use them intentionally.

✅ Check Accessibility Early

Run the Accessibility Checker while building content rather than waiting until the page is complete.

✅ Preview Content in Student View

Always review pages from the student perspective to ensure that layouts, media, and interactive components display correctly.

Working with Existing DesignPLUS Elements

💡 Use the Breadcrumb Trail

When your cursor is placed inside a DesignPLUS element, the Edit Current Element tab displays a breadcrumb trail showing the nested elements surrounding your current location.

Selecting the appropriate item in the breadcrumb trail helps ensure that edits and actions affect the intended element.

💡 Create New Insertion Points

If you are having trouble placing a new DesignPLUS element exactly where you want it, open the Edit Current Element tab and use Insert Paragraph Before or Insert Paragraph After.

These options create a new paragraph location before or after the selected element. You can then place your cursor in that new location and use Add New Element to insert a DesignPLUS component where you want it.

Many instructors find this workflow particularly helpful when editing existing pages that already contain several DesignPLUS elements.

💡 Move Elements Up or Down

The Move Text Up and Move Text Down buttons can move an entire DesignPLUS element higher or lower on the page.

These tools are useful when reorganizing content and often provide a quicker solution than rebuilding existing layouts.

💡 Use Arrange Content for Complex Changes

The Arrange Content option is available from the three-dot menu within the Edit Current Element tab.

Arrange Content displays the page structure and allows elements to be manually reordered using drag-and-drop controls. This can be especially useful when working with pages that contain multiple nested DesignPLUS components.

Beyond Course Design

While many instructors initially use DesignPLUS to improve the appearance of Canvas pages, it can also support the development of rich, interactive learning materials.

By combining:

instructors can build lessons that function similarly to digital textbooks or Open Educational Resources (OERs) directly within Canvas.

DesignPLUS makes it possible to transform Canvas pages from static content into interactive learning experiences where students read, practice, review, and assess their understanding within a single environment.

Need Help?

If you need assistance using DesignPLUS, developing Canvas content, or designing engaging learning experiences, contact your faculty support office: 

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)

Email: CETL@AState.edu 
Phone: 870-972-2334
Location: Dean B. Ellis Library, Suite 301

A-State Online Faculty Support

Email: facultysupport@astate.edu 
Phone: 870-680-8464

Faculty teaching in fully online degree programs should also consult with their assigned course builder or the A-State Online Faculty Support team before making significant course design or structural changes. Online degree programs may have program-specific requirements, templates, or standards that should be maintained.

Related Content

➤ Templates and Canvas Commons
➤ Course Accessibility Tools and Support
➤ Embedding Media in Classes
➤ Integrating Video into Canvas Activities
➤ Instructional Media from Public and Open Sources
➤ Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Publishing