Index: lams_central/src/flash/org/lamsfoundation/lams/authoring/cv/Canvas.as
===================================================================
diff -u -r09b0c1098a60abdd28633e559e9cdc1e097697f2 -r75f0bf5107c50b5a61dc5a310f05baff8e2e700e
--- lams_central/src/flash/org/lamsfoundation/lams/authoring/cv/Canvas.as	(.../Canvas.as)	(revision 09b0c1098a60abdd28633e559e9cdc1e097697f2)
+++ lams_central/src/flash/org/lamsfoundation/lams/authoring/cv/Canvas.as	(.../Canvas.as)	(revision 75f0bf5107c50b5a61dc5a310f05baff8e2e700e)
@@ -212,7 +212,13 @@
 	
 	public function saveDesign(){
 		if(_ddm.learningDesignID == undefined){
-			saveDesignToServerAs();
+			// raise alert if design is empty
+			if (canvasModel.activitiesDisplayed.size() < 1){
+				var msg:String = Dictionary.getValue('al_empty_design');
+				LFMessage.showMessageAlert(msg);
+			}else {
+				saveDesignToServerAs();
+			}
 		}else if(_ddm.readOnly){
 			saveDesignToServerAs();
 		}else{