---
title: "Build graphics in Design Studio"
canonical_url: https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/text-and-design/
source: docs/editor/text-and-design.md
content_revision: 6338386a1dd87e4a
---

# Build graphics in Design Studio

Create a layered graphic or animated title, then insert it into your project as one editable element.

## When to use it

Use Design Studio for lower thirds, product cards, gradient text, and compositions that combine several layers. Use the regular [Text tool](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/text/) for a simple heading.

## How to create a design

**Navigation:** **Editor → Design → New design**.

1. Open **Design**, then click **New design**.
2. Start with the **Text**, **Shape**, or **Image** layer buttons, or open **Templates** and select a starting design.
3. Click a layer to edit its properties. Drag it in the preview or enter its **X** and **Y** position.
4. Click **Canvas settings** to set the design's **Width**, **Height**, **Background**, **Font**, and **Loop** options.
5. Preview the composition in the center of the dialog.
6. Click **Insert element** to add it to the project.

![Zvid Design Studio dialog with Text, Shape, and Image layer buttons, a demo text preview, typography controls, and the Insert element action.](https://docs.zvid.io/img/dashboard-guide/editor-design-studio.png)

Selecting a template replaces the composition currently open inside Design Studio. **Cancel** closes the dialog without applying its current changes to the project.

## How to edit layers

1. Select a layer in the layer list.
2. For text, edit the content, size, weight, spacing, line height, alignment, case, and wrap width. Use **Fill**, **Outline**, **Shadow**, and **Highlight pill** for styling.
3. For shapes, choose the shape and adjust its dimensions and fill. **Stroke width** or **Corner radius** appears for shapes that support it.
4. For images, enter a reachable **URL**, then set size, **Radius**, and **Fit**.
5. Use **Move up (toward front)** or **Move down (toward back)** to reorder a layer.
6. Use **Hide**, **Show**, **Duplicate**, or **Delete layer** as needed.

Deleting a layer removes it from the composition you are editing. Existing project content is updated when you click **Update element**.

## How to animate a design layer

1. Select the layer.
2. In **Animation**, choose a preset.
3. Adjust the controls shown for that preset: **Duration** or **Period**, **Delay**, **Stagger**, **Easing**, or **From**.
4. Inspect the live preview.
5. Click **Insert element** for a new design, or **Update element** for an existing one.

Text-specific presets can animate letters or words; **Stagger** is the delay between them. Design Studio uses one selected font family per design. Loop settings control the design's own animation; the element's [timeline window](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/timeline/) controls when it is visible in the movie.

## How to reopen and reuse a design

1. Select an element created in Design Studio.
2. Open **Design → Design Studio → Edit design visually** in its properties, or choose **Edit in Design Studio** from its element actions.
3. Make your changes and click **Update element**.
4. When signed in, open the tool rail's **Design → Your designs** to reuse a saved design.
5. Click a saved design to insert another instance into the current project.

For a plain text element, **Create an animated design** opens the visual design workflow. Saved designs are reusable building blocks; they are distinct from account render templates.

## How to delete a saved design

1. Open **Design → Your designs**.
2. Click **Delete design** on the item.
3. Confirm the deletion.

This removes the design from your saved library. Existing project elements that already use it remain intact. There is no restore action in the saved-design panel.

## What happens next

The inserted graphic behaves like one project element, with its own position and timing. Its layer data remains available for reopening in Design Studio. Save the project and [render](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/export/) to inspect the final result.

## Related documentation

- [Text elements](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/text/)
- [Shapes and SVG](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/shapes/)
- [Animations](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/animations/)
- [Variables and templates](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/templates/)