One of the newest trends I’ve been seeing on Etsy is adorable character graphics made from everyday objects. Think ornaments with personalities, smiling pumpkins, dancing ghosts, happy gift boxes, candy pieces, and so much more!
The best part? You don’t have to draw them from scratch.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to create these fun character graphics entirely in Canva by combining existing elements, Canva’s AI editing tools, and a few simple finishing touches.
If you love creating PNGs, print on demand designs, or digital products, this is a trend you’ll definitely want to try.
Watch the full tutorial below to follow along step by step.
Why Character Graphics Are Trending
Character graphics have become incredibly popular because they instantly add personality to a design. Instead of using plain clipart, you can transform everyday objects into fun characters that feel:
- Cute
- Playful
- Handcrafted
- Boutique inspired
They’re perfect for seasonal designs, children’s products, classroom resources, party printables, and Etsy listings.
Step 1: Find Clipart That Matches
The secret to creating a cohesive character set starts with choosing graphics that share the same artistic style.
In the tutorial, I show you how to:
- Search Canva Elements effectively
- Find illustrations with similar artistic styles
- Browse additional graphics from the same Canva contributor
Using artwork from the same artist helps your finished character collection look consistent and professionally designed.
Step 2: Remove Unwanted Details with Canva AI
Sometimes the clipart you find isn’t exactly what you need.
Maybe it already has a face…
Or an extra detail that doesn’t fit your design.
Instead of giving up on the illustration, I show you how to use Canva’s AI editing tools to remove unwanted parts of the artwork and create a clean base for your character. This gives you much more flexibility when working with existing Canva elements.
Step 3: Turn Your Clipart into a Character
Now comes the fun part. Once your artwork is cleaned up, it’s time to bring it to life.
In this tutorial, I show you how to add:
- Stick arms
- Stick legs
- Hands
- Feet
- Cute facial expressions
These simple additions completely transform ordinary clipart into charming character graphics.
Mix and Match Different Objects
One of my favorite things about this style is how versatile it is. Once you understand the process, you can create characters from almost anything.
For example:
- Christmas ornaments
- Presents
- Candy
- Envelopes
- Pumpkins
- Ghosts
- Moons
- Witch hats
The possibilities are almost endless.
Final Thoughts
Character graphics are one of my favorite design trends because they’re simple, customizable, and incredibly fun to create. Once you learn this workflow, you’ll start looking at everyday clipart in a whole new way. Instead of seeing individual graphics, you’ll start seeing future characters!
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