Is Canva a UI/UX Tool? My Experience with Website Design

By Eventus Offiong Okon

Web designer & digital strategist — building and ranking websites since 2019.

The first time I used Canva while learning web design in 2019, I wondered if it could truly be considered a UI/UX tool. Many people mistake it for a graphic design platform only, but over the years, I’ve discovered ways to leverage Canva for practical website design tasks.Since then, I’ve helped clients like Essieno Group and Starberry Group create functional website mockups, wireframes, and interface visuals using Canva. In this article, I’ll share what Canva can and cannot do for UI/UX design, how it fits into modern website workflows, and practical tips for anyone looking to use it effectively.

What Canva Can Do for UI/UX Design

Canva excels in visual design aspects of UI/UX work:

Wireframing: Canva templates allow designers to create page layouts and content structure quickly.
Interface Mockups: You can design buttons, menus, and sections visually for client presentations.
Branding Consistency: Colors, typography, and logos can be maintained across different pages and screens.
Collaboration: Canva allows sharing designs with clients or team members for feedback in real-time.

Example: For a local startup, I created a homepage and product page mockup entirely in Canva, which the client approved before development. It helped speed up communication and reduced revisions.

Limitations of Canva for UI/UX

No Interactive Prototypes: Canva cannot create clickable user flows or advanced interactive elements like Figma.
Limited UX Testing: You cannot run usability tests directly on Canva designs.
Not Code-Ready: Developers cannot export a live website directly from Canva.

Reality Check: Canva is a strong visual tool but should be combined with UX research, prototyping tools, and developer collaboration for a complete website design workflow.

How I Use Canva in My UI/UX Workflow

Early Mockups: I design visual layouts for clients to get approval before moving to Figma or direct development.
Content and Marketing Pages: Canva is excellent for quickly creating promotional pages, social media visuals, and email templates.
Client Education: I use Canva designs to explain UI/UX concepts in simple visual terms to clients who may not understand wireframes or prototypes.

For example, during a project for Starberry Group, I designed a content-heavy landing page mockup in Canva. It was approved by the client and then translated into an actual website by our developers, saving time and providing clarity.

Can Canva Replace Traditional UI/UX Tools?

The answer is no. While Canva is highly useful for visual mockups, wireframes, and branding, tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch are designed for interaction design, prototyping, and collaborative development handoffs.

However, Canva’s simplicity makes it ideal for:

Small businesses or startups on a budget
Rapid content visualization
Non-technical designers or business owners doing DIY websites

Conclusion

So, is Canva a UI/UX tool? Yes, but with limitations. It works best as a visual design assistant, helping with mockups, branding, and client communication. For complete website UX design — including interaction, prototyping, and usability testing — it should be combined with dedicated UX/UI tools.

Since 2019, I’ve consistently used Canva in my workflow for early-stage designs and client presentations. Combined with Figma, ChatGPT for copy and ideation, and developer collaboration, it becomes a powerful part of modern website design.

Taculia Designs