Social media graphics

Gaining access to Canva

You can get in touch with content@qmul.ac.uk if you would like to find out more about access to Canva and the Queen Mary branded templates.

Checklist

Use high contrast colours

• Ensure there’s enough contrast between text and background.
• For example, dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background.
• Canva’s accessibility checker will confirm whether the contrast between fonts and background is sufficient

Choose clear, legible fonts

• Use Source Sans (our official Queen Mary font).
• Generally use Bold or Regular font weight (Light can sometimes be used if contrast is sufficient).
• Use a minimum font size of 36pt for readability on mobile.

Keep text short and simple

• Limit text to key messages.
• Avoid large blocks of text and stick to bite-sized, digestible content.
• Use the caption to include more details.

Add text descriptions or alt text

• Add alternative text when adding images.
• If adding an image including any text (try to avoid this), add descriptions in the post text or caption around it so that it can be accessible to everybody.

Avoid relying on colour alone

• Don’t use colour as the only way to convey meaning (eg red for bad, green for good).
• Use labels, symbols or patterns alongside colour cues.

Use templates with accessibility in mind

• Start with clean and uncluttered templates.
• Avoid templates with too many overlapping elements or decorative flourishes that reduce clarity.

Include hashtags and emojis sparingly

• Use sentence case for hashtags (eg #AccessibleDesign not #accessibledesign).
• Place emojis at the end of sentences, not in the middle, to avoid disrupting screen readers.

Test your design

• View your design on a mobile screen to see it in context.