How To Animate Scenes Using Canva In 2025

In today’s digital world, animated content is everywhere—from eye-catching social media posts to sleek YouTube intros and engaging website banners. But here’s the best part: you don’t need expensive software or advanced animation skills to create motion graphics. Thanks to tools like Canva, you can animate scenes quickly and easily—even if you’re a beginner.

Whether you’re designing for a personal project, freelance client, or business brand, this guide will teach you how to animate scenes using Canva step by step in 2025. Let’s dive into the creative world of animation!

Why Animate in Canva?

Canva is widely known for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, but what many don’t realize is that its animation capabilities are surprisingly powerful, especially with the constant updates in 2025.

Here’s why Canva is perfect for animation:

No technical knowledge required
Access to animated templates and elements
Pre-set animation styles for scenes and objects
Easy to export as video or GIF
Works in-browser or on mobile

Best of all, you can do most of this for free, although Canva Pro unlocks more features and export options.

Step 1: Sign In and Create a New Project

First, head over to canva.com and log into your account. If you don’t have one yet, it’s free to sign up.

Choose a Project Type:

Social Media Post (e.g., Instagram, TikTok)
Video (YouTube, Facebook, etc.)
Presentation
Custom size (if you’re creating content for a website)

Click “Create a Design” and select your desired format (like 1920×1080 for full HD videos).

Step 2: Add or Choose a Scene

In Canva, a scene is like a slide or frame in your animation project.

You Can:

Start with a blank page
Use a template (search “animated” or “video” in the template search bar)

Templates are ideal if you’re short on time or want something polished. Canva offers animated templates for intros, promos, reels, and even business pitches.

Each scene appears as a separate page in the editor—think of them like video clips in a timeline.

Step 3: Customize Your Scene Content

Now it’s time to personalize your scene.

You Can Add:

Text: Titles, subtitles, captions
Images: Upload your own or use Canva’s free stock
Shapes & Icons: Great for infographics or callouts
Videos: Use your own or search Canva’s stock footage
Animated Stickers & Elements: Found under “Elements > Stickers” or “Elements > Animated”

Tip: Don’t overcrowd your scene. Keep it focused, especially if you plan to animate every element.

Step 4: Animate Your Elements

Here comes the fun part: adding animation!

Animate Objects Individually:

Click on the text, photo, or element you want to animate.
Click the “Animate” button in the top toolbar.
Choose from animation types like:
- Fade
- Pan
- Rise
- Pop
- Tumble
- Drift
- Photo Zoom (for images)

Hover over each animation to preview it in real-time.

Animate the Entire Page (Scene):

If you want everything to animate together, click on a blank part of the canvas, then click “Animate” and choose a page-wide effect like:

Block
Match & Move
Stomp
Slide In

This is especially useful for intros, transitions, or when using templates.

Step 5: Control Animation Timing

Timing matters in animation. Canva lets you adjust the timing of each scene and its elements.

Here’s how:

Click the clock icon labeled “Timing” at the top
Set how long a scene should last (e.g., 3 to 10 seconds)
You can adjust how long individual elements stay on screen (Pro feature)

You can also drag the duration bar on the timeline if using the video editor mode.

Step 6: Add Transitions Between Scenes

If your project has multiple scenes, Canva allows you to add transitions for smoother flow.

To Add Transitions:

Hover between two scenes/pages
Click the “+” icon
Select from transition options like:
- Dissolve
- Slide
- Circle Wipe
- Match & Move (Smart transition that tracks similar objects)
Adjust speed and direction

Transitions are great for giving your animated project a professional look.

Step 7: Add Background Music or Voiceover

No animation is complete without sound! Canva allows you to add audio files directly to your scene.

Steps:

Go to “Audio” in the left toolbar
Choose from Canva’s royalty-free tracks or upload your own
Drag and drop your track onto the scene timeline
Adjust volume and timing if needed

For voiceovers, you can:

Record directly using Canva’s built-in recorder
Upload a pre-recorded voice file

Pro Tip: Keep background music subtle so it doesn’t overpower any voiceover or onscreen text.

Step 8: Preview and Make Final Adjustments

Before exporting, click the play button to preview your entire animation. Watch for:

Smooth transitions
Proper timing
Balanced text and motion
Clarity of message

Make any necessary changes to your animation, timing, or content until you’re satisfied.

Step 9: Export Your Animated Scene

Once your animated scene is ready, it’s time to download or share it.

Click “Share” > “Download”

Choose:

MP4 Video (for most uses like YouTube, social media)
GIF (for short animations or blog embeds)
PDF (with Animation) if you’re sharing it as a slideshow or presentation (only limited animation preserved)

For the best results:

Choose MP4 at 1080p
Toggle on “All pages” if it’s a multi-scene project

Canva Pro offers additional export settings like transparent backgrounds and higher frame rates.

Bonus Tips for Better Animated Scenes

Use Brand Kit: Keep your animations on-brand with colors, fonts, and logos (available in Canva Pro)
Keep Text Short: Viewers won’t read long paragraphs in motion scenes
Balance Motion: Avoid animating everything—too much movement can be distracting
Use Layers Wisely: Stack elements in the right order to guide viewer attention

Conclusion

Animating scenes in Canva has never been easier. Whether you’re creating a quick social video, an eye-catching Instagram reel, or a full presentation, Canva provides all the tools you need—without the steep learning curve or high cost.

So go ahead—open Canva, pick a template, and start animating. With just a few clicks, you can bring your ideas to life and wow your audience in 2025.