The Canva Controversy:

Let’s talk about something that’s been triggering me all week: the designer hate toward Canva.

Over the course of my career, I’ve seen far too many designers act like Canva is some kind of plague upon the industry. And to that, I say—relax. If you’re a talented designer, the tool you use shouldn’t define your work. It’s how you use it that matters.

Why I Use Canva (And Why That’s a Good Thing for My Clients)

I use Illustrator for all original brand assets—logos, patterns, illustrations, you name it. But once everything is custom-crafted, I import those assets into Canva to make life easier for my clients. Why? Because my clients aren’t designers and often don't have design teams. They shouldn’t need a design degree just to post a promo graphic.

Canva lets me set them up for success with editable templates and branded assets they can actually use. It’s client empowerment—not design laziness.

When Canva Should (And Shouldn’t) Be Used

Here's what Canva is actually good for—and where it doesn’t belong:

✅ Great for:

• Social media content

• Flyers, business cards, and promotional materials

• Presentations and pitch decks

• Template-based brand asset use (after custom design work is done)

❌ Not for:

• Logos or primary brand identity design

• Original illustrations or custom packaging/production design

• Any asset requiring exclusive licensing or advanced customization

Yes, Canva includes pre-made elements—but it also allows pros like me to upload custom assets and build templates from scratch. And let’s be clear: you do NOT forfeit rights to your own work just by uploading it into Canva. Copyright concerns apply to Canva’s stock content—not your custom assets.

“Canva is Undercutting Designers” – Or Are Designers Undercutting Themselves?

Listen up. Canva isn’t the reason some designers are struggling—it’s the pricing race to the bottom that’s dragging down the value of good design.

The problem isn’t the tool. The problem is when designers undervalue themselves, charge rock-bottom prices, and confuse cheap with competitive. That’s not Canva’s fault—that’s a confidence gap.

And let’s be honest… some designers just aren’t that good... or worse are lazy and don't want to learn a new skill. Oof, I said it. But it’s true. If your only skill is arranging trendy fonts and picking cute stock illustrations, Canva probably does feel threatening—because now, your clients can do that too.

But that’s not to say you can’t learn. Everyone starts somewhere. We’ve all been that beginner designer trying to find our style, our skills, and our worth. The difference is whether you stay stuck there—or keep growing.

Because great design isn’t just about making things look pretty. It’s about strategy, originality, and creating work that actually moves people.

Will there always be clients out there hunting for the cheapest option? Of course. But those aren’t your dream clients anyway. They’re not the ones who value the magic you bring. They’re just looking for fast, cheap, and forgettable—and trust me, you don’t want to build your business around them.

The designers who truly understand strategy, storytelling, and branding will always stand out. Because smart clients can tell the difference between a slapped-together Canva template and a well-thought-out brand experience .

If you’re a designer who’s confident in your skills, you don’t need to be threatened by Canva—you just need to be better than a cookie cutter template.

Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Canva-Using Designer

Let me be real for a second: Canva can be a red flag—but only when it’s used the wrong way.

🚩 Are they creating everything using pre-made Canva elements with no customization?

🚩 Are they designing logos directly in Canva using stock icons? (BIG no.)

🚩 Do they actually understand branding strategy—or just know how to make things “look nice”?

These are the questions clients should be asking—not freaking out just because Canva is mentioned in the process.

So, What’s the Real Takeaway?

At the end of the day, Canva isn’t the villain—bad design decisions are. The tool doesn’t make the designer, just like a paintbrush doesn’t make the artist. It’s all about knowing when to use it, how to use it, and why you’re using it.

✨ Designers—if you’re confident in your skills, you don’t need to gatekeep tools to prove your worth. Your clients care about the outcome, the strategy, and the impact—not whether you used an expensive program or a drag-and-drop editor.

✨ Clients—don’t judge a designer just because they mention Canva. Ask better questions: Do they understand branding? Do they build assets the right way? Do they set you up for success after the handoff?

Because great design isn’t about flexing your software—it’s about crafting a brand that connects and converts.

And if you’re looking for a designer who gets it—someone who blends strategy, storytelling, and beautiful design into one unforgettable brand experience—let’s chat!

👉 Schedule your Fit Call here and let’s build a brand that actually moves the needle.