If you want your Canva designs to feel more realistic and three-dimensional, you need to understand the concept of Perspective. In this tutorial, I will show you how to add depth and dimension to your designs using three simple principles: Size, Layering, and Shadows.
One of the easiest ways to create the illusion of depth is by playing with size.
Larger objects appear closer
Smaller objects look farther away
This works for any element in Canva, whether it is text, icons, graphics, or images. To make your design feel realistic, keep the scale consistent across similar objects.
Layering is a powerful way to make your designs look like they exist in real space.
Elements that overlap feel grounded
Use “Send to Back” or “Bring Forward” to adjust the depth
Layer items strategically to create the feeling of distance
For example, a balloon that partially covers text feels like it is floating in front, while text sent to the back appears further away.
Shadows are what make your designs look realistic. Without them, everything floats on the page. Canva makes it easy to:
Add drop shadows to icons and images
Use soft corner shadows for mood and dimension
Adjust the transparency and blur to control how realistic it looks
The trick is subtlety. Small shadows under objects and corners give a sense of weight and placement.
Understanding perspective allows you to create:
Visual hierarchy that directs the eye
A sense of space and realism
More engaging designs that stand out
Whether you are designing a carousel, a website banner, or even just a social media post, perspective transforms your design from flat to dynamic.
The Canva Position tool and Layers view can instantly improve your design workflow. This tutorial shows you how to arrange elements, control visibility, and create professional layouts in minutes.
Canva just launched a built-in Texture App, and it changes everything. This guide shows you how to use it, where to find it, and which textures to try first to add depth and visual richness to your designs.
