Step-by-Step Guide: Creating the Perfect 2023 Recap Video with Canva

Photo by Carriza Maiquez on Unsplash

The year 2023 has been a rollercoaster of memories, and what better way to relive those moments than by creating a captivating recap video? In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of crafting the perfect 2023 recap video using the user-friendly platform, Canva. *If you would like a step-by-step for other sites, such as CapCut, leave a comment below!

Step 1: Gather Your Content

Begin by collectingBegin by collecting the highlights of your year. Dive into your camera roll, scroll through your social media accounts, and extract those precious photos and videos that define your 2023. This initial step sets the foundation for a meaningful recap. Then head over to Canva. Log in to your Canva account and select the option to create a new design. In the design type menu, choose “Custom Dimensions” and set the dimensions to match your preferred video aspect ratio. There is an option for mobile video if you’re creating this for TikTok or other social medias.

Step 2: Choose Your Theme

Give your recap video a cohesive and visually appealing theme. Whether it’s based on seasons, milestones, or personal achievements, a theme adds a creative touch to your video, making it more engaging for your audience.

Selecting a theme for your 2023 recap video adds a unique and cohesive touch, transforming your collection of memories into a captivating narrative. Here’s how to jump into this creative process:

A. Reflect on Your Year:

Take a moment to reflect on the key moments and experiences that defined your year. Identify recurring themes or patterns — perhaps it’s a year of travel, personal growth, or special milestones. By understanding the essence of your year, you can choose a theme that resonates with your experiences.

B. Explore Canva’s Themes:

Canva offers a variety of pre-designed themes that can serve as a fantastic starting point. Navigate to the theme gallery within the Canva video editing interface and explore options that align with the vibe of your year. Themes can range from playful and energetic to elegant and sophisticated.

C. Create a Custom Theme:

Feel inspired to craft a theme that is uniquely yours? Dive into Canva’s customization options. Experiment with color schemes, fonts, and graphic elements to build a theme that reflects your personal style. Consider incorporating elements that represent specific events or memories from your year.

D. Consistency is Key:

Once you’ve chosen or created your theme, ensure consistency throughout the video. This includes maintaining a uniform color palette, using consistent fonts, and aligning graphic elements. Consistency not only enhances the visual appeal but also helps in storytelling by creating a cohesive narrative.

E. Flexibility for Variety:

While a theme provides structure, don’t be afraid to infuse variety into your video. Mix in different visual styles, transitions, and pacing to keep your audience engaged. The theme serves as a guiding thread, but it’s the dynamic interplay of visuals that brings your recap to life.

Step 3: Import and Organize Your Media

Upload your collected media into Canva and organize it in a way that tells a compelling story. Canva makes it easy to drag and drop your files, ensuring a seamless editing process.

Bringing your 2023 memories into Canva is a breeze, and once your media is in, organizing it efficiently sets the stage for a seamless editing process. Follow these steps to import and organize your cherished photos and videos:

A. Upload Your Media:

Once in the video editor, locate the “Uploads” tab on the left sidebar. Click on it to reveal the option to upload your media files. Drag and drop your photos and videos into the designated area, or click to browse and select files from your computer.

B. Arrange Your Media on the Timeline:

Canva’s video editor features a timeline at the bottom of the screen. Your uploaded media will appear in the uploads panel, and you can drag and drop them onto the timeline to arrange the sequence. This timeline allows you to visualize the flow of your video.

C. Trim and Split:

To fine-tune the duration of each clip, click on a video segment in the timeline. This activates the editing options, where you can trim the clip’s length or split it into multiple sections. This precision ensures that each moment gets its rightful place in your recap.

D. Utilize Canva’s Folder System: (optional)

Stay organized by creating folders within Canva. Group related photos and videos together in folders, making it easy to locate specific content during the editing process. This organizational tactic simplifies the entire workflow.

E. Take Advantage of Canva’s Search and Filter Options:

As your media library grows, Canva provides search and filter features to swiftly locate specific files. Use keywords, tags, or date filters to narrow down your selection and find the perfect visuals for each part of your recap.

F. Collaborate with Canva’s Team Feature: (optional)

If you’re working on your recap video with others, Canva’s team feature allows collaborative editing. Invite team members to join your project, making it a collective effort to organize and curate the best moments of 2023.

G. Preview Your Arrangement:

Before moving forward,Before moving forward, take advantage of Canva’s preview option. Play through your timeline to get a sense of the overall flow and pacing of your video. This step ensures that your memories are showcased in a coherent and engaging manner.

Step 4: Add Music and Transitions

Select a soundtrack that complements the mood of your recap. Canva offers a library of royalty-free music to choose from. Enhance the flow of your video by adding smooth transitions between clips for a polished and professional look.

Now that your memories are neatly organized in Canva, it’s time to infuse your recap with music and add seamless transitions for an engaging viewing experience. Follow these steps to elevate the audio-visual appeal of your 2023 recap video:

A. Navigate to the Elements Tab:

In Canva’s editor, find the “Elements” tab on the left sidebar. Under “Audio,” you’ll discover a vast library of royalty-free music tracks to choose from. Browse through genres or search for a specific mood that complements the tone of your recap.

B. Add Music to Your Project:

Select the desired music track and drag it onto the audio track in your timeline. Position it according to where you want the music to begin in your video. Canva allows you to adjust the duration of the music to match the length of your recap.

C. Adjust Music Settings:

Click on the music segment in the timeline to reveal additional settings. Canva enables you to adjust the volume of the music, ensuring it complements the narration or highlights specific moments without overpowering the visuals.

D. Experiment with Transitions:

To enhance the flow between your clips, explore Canva’s transition options. Click on the “Transitions” tab, and choose from a variety of dynamic effects such as fades, slides, or flips. Apply transitions between clips to create a polished and professional look.

E. Customize Transition Duration:

Tailor the duration of each transition to match the pacing of your video. Canva provides the flexibility to adjust transition durations, allowing for smooth and seamless connections between your memorable moments.

F. Preview Your Video:

Take a moment to preview your video with the added music and transitions. This step gives you a real-time feel for how your recap is coming together. Make adjustments as needed to ensure a harmonious blend of visuals and audio.

G. Sync Transitions with Music:

For a more immersive experience, sync your transitions with the rhythm of the music. Align impactful transitions with key beats or changes in the soundtrack to create a synchronized and captivating viewing experience.

H. Explore Canva’s Audio Editing Features:

Canva provides basic audio editing tools to fine-tune your soundtrack. Trim the music track, adjust fade-ins and fade-outs, or even add multiple music tracks for a layered effect. Experiment with these features to achieve the perfect audio accompaniment.

Step 5: Personalize with Text and Captions

Highlight key moments or add a personal touch by incorporating text and captions. Canva provides various fonts, styles, and customization options to make your text visually appealing and integral to your narrative.

Now that your 2023 recap video has a dynamic flow with music and transitions, it’s time to add a personal touch through text and captions. Elevate your storytelling by following these steps to customize and enhance your visuals with Canva’s versatile text features:

A. Access the Text Tools:

Within Canva’s editor, navigate to the “Text” tab in the left sidebar. Here, you’ll find a range of text elements, including headings, subheadings, and body text. Choose the style that best suits the vibe of your recap.

B. Add Headings and Subheadings:

Introduce each section of your video with expressive headings or subheadings. Click on the desired text element, customize the font, size, and color, and then drag it onto the timeline to position it above the corresponding clip.

C. Include Descriptive Captions:

Enrich your narrative by adding descriptive captions to key moments in your video. Click on the “Text” tab, select a caption style, and place it on the timeline where you want the caption to appear. Use captions to provide context, share anecdotes, or express emotions tied to specific memories.

D. Experiment with Fonts and Styles:

Canva offers a diverse range of fonts and text styles to suit different moods. Experiment with combinations to find a look that aligns with the overall aesthetic of your recap. Consistent font choices contribute to a polished and cohesive visual experience.

E. Customize Text Colors:

Enhance the visual appeal of your text by customizing colors to complement your theme. Canva allows you to pick from a spectrum of hues or input specific color codes for precision. Ensure text contrasts well with the background for optimal readability.

F. Utilize Text Animation:

For added flair, explore Canva’s text animation options. Click on a text element in the timeline, and under the “Animate” tab, choose from various animation effects. Animating text can add a dynamic element to your recap, drawing attention to important details.

G. Arrange and Align Text:

Maintain a clean and organized layout by arranging and aligning text elements appropriately. Canva provides alignment tools to ensure your text is visually pleasing and easy to follow. Consistent alignment contributes to a professional and polished look.

H. Adjust Text Duration:

Fine-tune the duration of each text element to synchronize with your video’s pacing. Click on the text segment in the timeline and adjust its duration to match the corresponding visuals. This ensures that your text appears and disappears at the right moments.

I. Preview Your Personalized Video:

Before finalizing your text elements, preview your video to ensure that the text enhances the storytelling without overwhelming the visuals. Make any necessary adjustments to achieve a harmonious blend between text and imagery.

Step 6: Final Touches and Preview

Fine-tune your video by making any necessary color adjustments or adding filters. Preview your masterpiece to ensure everything flows seamlessly and that the pacing feels just right.

If you wish to add filters to your video, which is optional and personal to you, here’s how:

Select the Clip:

• Identify the clip or section of your video where you want to apply a filter.

Access the Filter Options:

• Look for a “Filter” or “Effects” option in the toolbar or editing panel. Canva may provide a variety of pre-set filters that you can apply to enhance the visual style of your video.

Choose a Filter:

• Click on the “Filter” option and explore the available filters. Canva might offer filters that adjust colors, contrast, saturation, or provide thematic effects. Select the filter that complements the mood or theme of your 2023 recap.

Adjust Filter Settings (if available):

• Some filters may have adjustable settings. Experiment with sliders or options to fine-tune the intensity or specific aspects of the filter effect.

Apply the Filter:

• Once you’re satisfied with the selected filter and its settings, apply it to the chosen clip or section of your video.

Preview Your Video:

• Play through your video to preview the impact of the applied filter. Ensure that it enhances the visual aesthetics and aligns with the overall tone of your recap.

Continue for Other Clips (if desired):

• Repeat the process for other clips in your video where you want to apply filters. Consistency in filter application can contribute to a cohesive and polished look.

Step 7: Export and Share

Once you’re satisfied with your creation, export your video from Canva. Choose the appropriate settings for quality and file format. Now, it’s time to share your recap video with the world.

Exporting Your Video from Canva:

Complete Your Edits:

• Ensure that you’ve made all the necessary edits, added music, transitions, text, and any filters if applicable.

Preview Your Video:

• Before exporting, preview your entire video to make sure everything looks and sounds the way you want it.

Save Your Project:

• Click on the “File” menu and select “Save” to make sure all your recent changes are saved.

Export Your Video:

• Look for an option like “Download” or “Export” in the top menu. Canva may provide different export options, such as video quality settings or format choices. Select the export settings that suit your needs.

Choose File Format and Quality:

• Canva might offer options to export your video in various formats (MP4, MOV, etc.) and qualities (HD, standard, etc.). Pick the format and quality that aligns with your preferences and the platforms where you plan to share your video.

Wait for Processing:

• Depending on the size and complexity of your video, Canva might take some time to process the export. Be patient and wait for the export to complete.

Download Your Video:

• Once the export is ready, you’ll usually be prompted to download the video file. Click on the download button to save the video to your computer.

Sharing Your Video:

Upload to Social Media:

• If you’re planning to share your recap on social media platforms, navigate to the respective platform (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) and follow their upload process. Most platforms allow you to upload videos directly from your device.

Use Canva’s Sharing Options:

• Canva might also offer direct sharing options to popular platforms. Look for buttons like “Share on Facebook” or “Share on Instagram” within the Canva interface.

Copy Link:

• Some platforms allow you to copy a shareable link to your video. This is handy if you want to share the video via email, messaging apps, or on websites.

Download and Share Manually:

• If you prefer, download the video to your device and manually share it on various platforms. This gives you more control over where and how you share your recap.

Consider Privacy Settings:

• If your video contains personal moments, consider adjusting privacy settings on the platforms you use. You might want to share some recaps publicly while keeping others more private.

Step 8: Bonus Tips and Tricks

Explore additional features within Canva, such as animation options or trendy visual effects, to take your video to the next level. These bonus tips can add that extra flair to make your recap stand out.

Dynamic Animations:

• Experiment with Canva’s animation features to add dynamic elements to your recap. Explore subtle animations for text, images, or even transitions between clips to inject energy into your video.

Overlay Graphics:

• Enhance your video by overlaying graphics, stickers, or illustrations. Canva provides an extensive library of elements that can complement your theme and add a playful or stylish touch to specific moments.

Incorporate Trendy Visual Effects:

• Stay on trend by exploring Canva’s latest visual effects and filters. Incorporate effects that resonate with the current aesthetic trends, making your recap video feel fresh and contemporary.

Experiment with Canva Pro Features:

• Consider upgrading to Canva Pro for access to additional features, including premium animations, stock footage, and advanced customization options. Canva Pro may offer tools that take your recap video to the next level.

Add a Personal Touch with Voiceovers:

• Record a personal voiceover to accompany your recap. Share your thoughts, reflections, or anecdotes related to each section of the video. This adds a heartfelt and authentic layer to your storytelling.

Create a Thumbnail for Social Media:

• Design an eye-catching thumbnail for your recap video if you’re planning to share it on platforms like YouTube or Facebook. A compelling thumbnail increases the chances of attracting viewers.

Step 9: Congratulations!!!

You’ve successfully created the perfect 2023 recap video with Canva. Share your masterpiece on social media or with friends and family, allowing them to join in the celebration of your memorable year.