“Creatives are at the center of the design universe.” This powerful statement echoed throughout Canva Create, the inaugural Canva conference.
We recently attended this Los Angeles based event and from the moment attendees stepped into SoFi Stadium, it was clear Canva Create was more than just a conference—it was an experience designed to ignite creativity and transformation. We’re excited to share our key takeaways from the day with you, keep reading to see the latest in online design.
Melanie Perkins: A Trailblazer in Tech
One of the standout moments of the conference was hearing from Canva’s Co-founder and CEO, Melanie Perkins. Perkins’ journey to establish Canva is nothing short of inspiring. As a female leader in the tech industry, she faced numerous rejections from investors early on. However, her unwavering determination to democratize design drove her forward. Today, Canva stands as a testament to her resilience and vision, empowering millions worldwide to design with confidence.
Bob Iger: Insights from a Disney Legend
Another highlight was the session with Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, interviewed by Melanie Perkins. Iger’s insights into building and sustaining an iconic brand were invaluable. He emphasized the importance of respecting storytellers and enabling them to tell their stories authentically—a sentiment that resonated deeply with the audience.
Partnership Announcements: Shaping the Future of Creativity
During the event, the new partnership between Affinity by Serif and Canva was announced. This collaboration promises to revolutionize the creative industry by offering sophisticated tools for designers in a much more accessible way, ushering in a new era of creativity and efficiency.
The Role of AI: Enhancing Creativity
AI’s role in the creative process was a popular topic throughout the event. AI was presented as a tool to enhance creativity, enabling designers to focus more on ideation and less on mundane tasks. Canva’s Cameron Adams highlighted the addition of 12 new AI products since 2022, emphasizing the importance of human-machine relationships in driving better work.
Adam Grant: Fostering Innovation through Diversity
Adam Grant’s session on embracing disagreement and fostering a culture of “brain writing” underscored the importance of diverse perspectives in driving innovation. His insights resonated with attendees, reinforcing the idea that creatives thrive in dynamic environments where different viewpoints are welcomed.
Exciting New Features
Lastly, the conference introduced several new features aimed at empowering creatives further, including Bulk Create, Ad Tech Integrations, Work Kits for Other Departments, Data Autofill, Recordings, Canva Courses, Replace Feature, and Canva Enterprise. These new features will continue to encourage expanded use of Canva outside of the traditionally expected creative teams and spaces.
As Canva Create came to a close, one thing was clear: Canva is leading the charge in empowering creatives to design and create with confidence. The event served as a call to action for attendees, inspiring them to push the boundaries of creativity in their own work.
If you have any questions around the takeaways from this event, please reach out to us today!
Contributors: Christie Brown
