Create a Digital Design with Piktochart

Piktochart is a free, web-based graphic design tool for creating a variety of designs, including:

• Infographics
• Presentations
• Posters
• Reports
• Flyers

Piktochart is easy to use, with many pre-set templates and images provided within the tool.

Sign up for a free account at piktochart.com

Create a new, blank infographic project:

1. After logging in to Piktochart, select 'Infographic' from the left navigation menu.
2. Select 'Start from blank,' which is the blank template option (first option that appears).
3. A new tab will open where you can start to edit your blank infographic project.

Edit an infographic from one of Piktochart's free readymade templates:

1. After logging in to Piktochart, select 'infographic' from the left navigation menu.
2. Browse the free template options and select one to use for your project.
3. Once you've decided which template you'd like to use, hover over the template with your mouse, and select 'use template.'
4. A new tab will open with the new project using the selected template.

With pre-set dimensions:

1. Once you've opened an infographic project, click on the settings icon found on the left hand side of the infographic file.
2. From the dropdown menu, select one of the document options: Letter (8.5 x 11 in), A5 (148 x 210 mm), A4 (210 x 297 mm), or A3 (297 x 420 mm).
3. The project will automatically resize to the chosen dimensions.

With custom dimensions:

1. Once you've opened an infographic project, click on the settings icon found on the left-hand side of the infographic file.
2. From the dropdown menu, select 'Custom.'
3. Input the height and width you'd like your project to be in pixels (px), centimetres (cm) or inches (in). The project will automatically resize.

1. Select a block of the infographic file.
2. Select 'Background' from the left navigation menu.
   • For a solid colour background: Select a colour from the colour selector at the top of the menu.  If there's a specific colour you're wanting, you can enter in the hex colour code (#RRGGBB). Then select 'no-image' from the background images selection
   • To change the background design, select one of the free background images provided and the background design will automatically change.
3. To change the transparency of the background image, use the scale slider to adjust the percentage that suits your design.

1. Select 'Graphics' from the left navigation menu.
2. Select from one of the provided options: Shapes & Icons, Illustrations, Lines, Photos or Photo Frame.

Shapes & icons:

• Search for a specific shape using the search bar or select a shape from one of Piktochart's pre-set categories from the drop down menu.
• Select 'All,' 'Colour' or 'Mono' to filter for different shape options. 
• Click the shape to have it appear in your design.

Illustrations:

• Click on one of Piktochart’s available illustrations to have it appear on your design. 
• Click and drag on the corners of the illustration to resize. 

Lines:

• Click 'Add a line' and a dashed line will appear in your design.
• Change the colour, opacity and line style using the top menu in the infographic design window.

Photos:

• Search and add images to your design using Piktochart's photo library.  Click the image to have it appear in your design.
• You can also find Creative Commons images through Unsplash via Piktochart. Click the image you want to use to have it appear in your design.  Any image you choose will automatically be added to your 'Recent Uploads' to easily locate later.

Photo frames:

• Photo frames allow you to display a photo within a frame.
• Click the photo frame you want to use to have it appear in your design.
• Select a photo from the photo library or Unsplash and drag and drop it inside the photo frame.

1. Select 'Uploads' from the left navigation menu.
2. Select browse images. 
3. Select the files you'd like to upload from your computer, then click open. Acceptable formats: JPG, PNG, GIF or SVG files.
4. Once the image has fully uploaded, click it to add it to your design.

1. Select 'text' from the left navigation menu.
2. Select the style of text you want to use (i.e. title, subtitle, etc.) and click it to have it appear in your design.
3. Double click the text box to enter new text.
4. Select a 'Text Frame' to edit a pre-set text template.

1. Locate the box at the top of the Piktochart window that reads 'untitled infographic'
2. Click within the box to type a new name for your design.

Unfortunately, there is no 'collaborative' feature offered on the basic, free Piktochart account. Only you can edit your work from your original account. Instead, try:

Sharing a 'view only' link:

1. Select 'Share' from the menu on the right hand side of the Piktochart window.
2. A screen with 'Share' options will pop up. Ensure the slider next to ‘Make this link public’ is turned on. This will make sure that anyone with the link will be able to view the visual.
3. Copy the link provided and share it with classmates or other group members to get feedback.

Create a general account for all group members:

1. Create one, general account that all group members can access and make edits to the infographic.
2. Make sure all group members have the username and password to access the Piktochart account where you've created your infographic.

1. Select 'Download' from the right hand side of the top menu in the Piktochart design window.
2. Select 'PNG' (the only download option for the free account.
3. Select 'Medium' for the quality.
4. Click 'Download as PNG.'  The downloaded file can be found in the 'downloads' folder on your computer.