DesignPLUS

DesignPLUS tools by CidiLabs are installed in Canvas at Emory University. Learn where to find the tools below. Follow the links in the Vendor Documentation list to visit detailed guides maintained by CidiLabs.

DesignPLUS QuickStart Wizard

This tool makes it easy to use design templates without using the DesignPLUS Sidebar. The QuickStart Wizard works with blank announcements, assignment descriptions, discussion topics, classic quiz instructions, pages, and the syllabus description. To use the wizard:

  1. Click the "DesignPLUS QuickStart Wizard" button next to the title box. (Note: the button only appears when you begin to edit a blank item.)
  2. Click on the name of a template in Template Content or Content Blocks menus on the right.
  3. Preview and adjust the template on the left.
  4. Click the button at the bottom to insert it into the Canvas RCE (Rich Content Editor). There is also a cancel button if you do not want to insert the template you previewed.
  5. Use the Canvas RCE as you normally would to put your content into the template.

DesignPLUS Sidebar

This tool affords more design options than Canvas alone. It offers templates, themes, and much more all in an approachable graphical interface. The DesignPLUS Sidebar is hidden by default.

To launch the sidebar, press three keys simultaneously while you are actively editing an item with the Canvas RCE (Rich Content Editor): Opt+Shift+D on Mac, Alt+Shift+D on Windows. Once the DesignPLUS Sidebar opens on the right side of the screen, update your sidebar settings by clicking its triple-dot menu and choosing "User Settings." Check the box "Show Launch Button" and/or "Automatically Launch Sidebar" so that you don't have to use the keyboard combo every time. (Sidebar settings are stored by the web browser you are using and will not apply on other browsers or computers.) 

Sidebar Content for Emory

Check out these tools within the DesignPLUS Sidebar to find Emory-specific content:

  • Template Content: in addition to templates by CidiLabs, add template content and open the General and Interactive categories to find templates created for Emory by us in Teaching & Learning Technologies.
  • Theme: adding a theme to your Canvas item brings in a banner title, banner image, and link grid with Emory colors. There are several themes to choose from with different color combinations, shapes, styles, negative space, etc.
  • Banner images: once your item has a theme, you can add or replace its banner image. Choose from over a dozen images we selected from the Emory Photo & Video collection.

Upgrade Legacy Sidebar Content

CidiLabs ended their transition period to the New DesignPLUS Sidebar at the start of 2026. New DesignPLUS Sidebar is the default, but you can temporarily launch the legacy sidebar for as long as it works. CidiLabs will not maintain the legacy sidebar or its content if it stops working. If you open the new sidebar and see a message at the bottom indicating that legacy sidebar content exists in the item you are editing, please upgrade the content to use new sidebar code. 

Upload/Embed Image Tool

This tool lets you edit an image before embedding it into your Canvas content. Launch it from the Apps list inside the Canvas RCE (Rich Content Editor).

Multi-Tool

This tool lets you add items to your course in bulk, edit them, and more. The link to open this tool is hidden from the course navigation menu by default. You can add it by opening course Settings, going to the Navigation tab, choosing to Enable the Multi-Tool, and clicking Save.