Better Days Blog

As a self-taught beginner graphic designer, every project is a chance to learn something new. Sometimes the projects are for building a portfolio, and other times they’re just for fun. But every now and then, a project comes along that is so much more than that. It’s a project that carries real weight, real emotion, and a profound sense of purpose. 

That was the case with my latest design—a memorial piece for a good friend’s dog. 

A week ago, we had that dreaded conversation with our friend, Larrissa. She had to make the incredibly difficult decision to say goodbye to her beloved dog, Malaki. At 16 years old, he had lived a long, wonderful life filled with many trips to the beach and endless cuddles. He was more than a pet; he was a constant, a confidant, and a cherished member of her family. 

The grief that comes with losing a pet is immense, and I wanted to do something to offer a small piece of comfort. Words often feel inadequate in moments like these, so I turned to what I know: my creativity. I secretly created a memorial portrait for Malaki, a piece of art that could celebrate his life and serve as a beautiful keepsake. 

The Design Process in Canva Pro 

Creating something so personal felt like a huge responsibility. I wanted to make sure the final piece was peaceful, beautiful, and truly captured his spirit. 

My friend sent me a few of her favorite photos, and I chose one where he looked particularly happy and serene. Using Canva Pro, my first step was to carefully isolate him from the background. The ‘Background Remover’ tool is an absolute lifesaver for a self-taught designer like me. 

Once I had decided on the main image, I started building the scene around him. I didn’t want a plain background; I wanted to create a sense of peace and eternity. I searched through Canva’s library for a soft, dreamlike background and settled on the starry night sky as the border. The idea of him being at peace among the stars felt right, and with the angel wings signifying that he grew his wings and was in a happier place now and no longer in pain. I also decided to have a back ground of brickwork as I used to do graffiti art alot in my younger years and that was meant to reference that. 

For the text, I chose a simple, elegant font for his name and the years of his life. I added a subtle glow effect to his silhouette, almost like a gentle aura, to give him an angelic quality. I experimented with adding a halo, but in the end, a simple, dignified portrait with his wings felt the most powerful. This project was a real lesson in “less is more.” It wasn’t about showing off technical skills; it was about conveying a feeling. 

The Final Piece 

Here is the final design I created to honor Malaki 

When Larissa received it, she was incredibly moved. She told me it brought tears to her eyes, but in a good way, because it was a perfect tribute to her boy. Hearing that was the most rewarding feedback I could have ever received. It was a powerful reminder that design isn’t just about making things look good; it’s about communication, connection, and emotion. 

This self-taught journey is full of challenges, but it’s moments like this—using the skills I’m learning to bring a little bit of light to someone during a difficult time—that makes it all worthwhile. 

Our pets leave the biggest paw prints on our hearts, and I feel so honored that I could help my friend memorialize a love that will truly last forever. 

Please feel free to leave a comment on how you think I went with this one? As I’ve said before I’m a beginner and any suggestions, tips, tricks are all welcome. Thank you all.