Adding animated icons to your website is a great way to make it visually engaging without overwhelming visitors. The best part? You don’t need to hire a designer to achieve this effect. In just a few simple steps, you can create stunning animated icons using Canva. Here’s how.
Check out the video tutorial below to see the process in action.
Why you should use animated icons
Animated icons bring life to a website by subtly drawing attention to key sections without being distracting. They enhance user engagement, making your brand look more polished and dynamic.
Step 1: Search for the right icons
Start by searching for icons that align with your brand’s aesthetic. Canva offers a vast selection of icons, including outlined and hand-drawn styles. For a recent client, I used keywords like celestial and horoscopes to find icons that fit their brand identity.
Step 2: Customise to match your brand
If you find an icon that almost fits but isn’t quite right, tweak it to match your brand style. You can adjust colours, line thickness or even layer multiple elements together to create a unique design.
Step 3: Add animation
Canva offers a variety of animation styles to bring icons to life. Experiment with different animations and adjust the timing to create a smooth, eye-catching effect that complements your website.
Step 4: Download with a transparent background
If you have Canva Pro, you can download your animated icons with a transparent background. This makes it easy to integrate them seamlessly into your website. You can export them as individual GIFs to ensure they work across different platforms.
The final result
After following these steps, you’ll have animated icons that are on-brand, subtle and visually appealing. They add a professional touch without being overwhelming.
Want more tips on using Canva for your business? Let us know in the comments!
