Accessing DesignPLUS Tools in ISU Canvas

This article provides instructions on how to access and use the DesignPlus tools in ISU Canvas at Idaho State University (ISU).

DesignPlus is an advanced content editor for Canvas. It provides access to advanced page design and formatting features that would otherwise require extensive web design knowledge. DesignPlus can be enabled in any Canvas page or tool where the rich content editor appears, with the exception of New Quizzes.

• Accessing DesignPlus Tools
• Exploring the DesignPlus Sidebar
• Additional Resources

1. Within your ISU Canvas course, open a content item (page, assignment, course syllabus, discussion description, quiz description, etc.) and select Edit.
2. In the upper right corner of your window, click on the DesignPlus Sidebar icon (orange rocket ship). Alternatively, you can use one of the following hotkey combinations:
   1. Mac: control+1 or option+shift+d
   2. Windows: ctrl+1 or Alt+Shift+d
3. The Content Editor menu will appear on the right-hand side of the screen.

With the DesignPlus sidebar, you can do the following:

• Apply a theme to your content: A theme is a page layout with predefined text and heading styles, colors, graphic elements, etc. Applying the same theme to all of your course content can give it a professional, polished look.
• Add a banner image to any page: Select from several sample banners (including IU-themed banners) or add your own.
• Add a navigation menu to any page: Add a set of links in a dedicated content block that jumps to a part of that page or another page. Each link can be modified once the navigation block is added.
• Add/rearrange content blocks: Quickly create or rearrange reusable blocks of text while maintaining your current template design (if applied).
• Copy existing content: Add content to a page from other sources, including from institutional templates, pages and templates from the current course, and your other courses.
• Create reusable templates: Create model pages, assignments, quizzes, discussions, and announcements to ensure a unified design across your entire course. Then, use the Cidi Labs Multi-Tool to generate module items based on your templates.
• Add accordions, expanders, or tabbed elements: Add interactive content that users can hide or show by clicking the title.
• Add module progress indicators: Select from several page footers that help students understand where they are within the course structure.
• Customize any HTML style: Use a graphical interface to customize any HTML style on the page. Select an element in the RCE to see the available style options for it.
• Check accessibility: Use the built-in accessibility checker to confirm the accessibility of headings, links, images, and color contrast.

For more information, please visit the following DesignPLUS support resources : 

• DesignPLUS Training Series (external link): Developed by Cidi Labs, this collection of videos covers all the major features of the DesignPLUS Sidebar. The ITRC highly recommends it for new users.
• DesignPLUS User Guide (external link): Developed by Cidi Labs, this is the authoritative reference tool for DesignPLUS Sidebar users. Topics are organized alphabetically by tool or feature name. Each topic includes an introduction, a description of the interface for using the tool or feature, step-by-step instructions, examples, and best practices.
• DesignPLUS Sidebar Training Resources (external link): A listing, maintained by Cidi Labs, of all DesignPLUS training resources for end users and admins.

• Visit the ITRC Portal for answers to common questions (external link)
• For additional assistance email AnswersITRC@isu.edu (external link)