Wesley Chan’s Post

We are happily reflecting on our 10th and biggest year at Canva. In March, we were touting the start of a “Brand New Era” at Canva Create, and not even a year later it feels like we’re fully immersed in that new chapter, with the growth to prove it. I’m so incredibly proud of our team’s work in 2023. On the product front, I want to especially congratulate and thank the teams who’ve developed and shipped a stream of revolutionary and industry-leading features, at a cadence that exceeded any other year at Canva: ✨🎨 Magic Studio Our year-long dedication to building AI-powered creativity culminated in October with Magic Studio. We debuted 10 powerful AI products that fill critical workflow gaps and brought them into our streamlined, all-in-one platform: • Magic Design = turning ideas into presentations, videos and more instantly • Magic Write = automating first drafts, and summarising or expanding pieces • Magic Expand = fixing framing issues, expanding and rotating images • Magic Morph = transforming ordinary text, elements, or shapes into art • Magic Media = generating video clips from a single text prompt • Magic Animate = adorning designs with eye-catching animation • Magic Edit = adding, replacing, and modifying photos • Magic Grab = grabbing/separating a photo's subject • Magic Alt Text = providing text options for images and design elements • Magic Switch = resizing designs Magic Studio was a huge effort but incredibly worth it, as our AI products have been used over 4 billion times! 🛠️ Brand Hub Canva is now used by over 90% of the Fortune 500 companies. Our product has evolved to meet this need, including with a major update that captivated #designers, #marketers, and #socialmedia pros: Brand Hub is a creative center for content teams. Ensuring large organisations keep their logos, colors, fonts, icons, imagery, and brand guidelines consistent. 👩🏽💻Canva Developers Platform At our inaugural developers conference in June, we launched the Canva Apps SDK, offering developers worldwide a platform to build apps for Canva users. Since then, 60+ apps have been launched and thousands of developers have started building. 🎶 Popular Music Library Launched in November, our Popular Music Library lets users select from a swathe of genres and 1000s of artists – from Bob Marley to Michael Bublé – to create engaging, on-trend content. Worth noting: Canva users designing with TikTok video templates grew 10X in the last year while searches for artists/songs lifted greatly. So, major kudos 🎉 to my team and everyone else who got us this far. We’re just getting started, and I cannot wait to see the visual communications tools we develop in 2024. For a recap of Canva’s momentous ‘23, click here: https://lnkd.in/grAap8fg 

Just like all the best ‘AI’ companies, Canva builds intelligent systems directly into their product and calls it what it is: magic! They focus on what people need to get done, and focus the company around that - just like every good AI-First Company :-)

“You’ve opened up my eyes/to Canva Enterprise/Now we are on the rise/’Cause Canva does it all and we’re feeling alright.” Sydney-based design software maker Canva went viral over the weekend for an “incredibly cringy” two-minute rap video that surfaced from its Canva Create event in Los Angeles, in which duelling rappers and backup dancers hyped up new features aimed at large businesses. The video, which racked up nearly 500,000 views, was panned online as being cringy, tone-deaf and emblematic of how detached Silicon Valley has become from reality. But for Canva co-founder Cliff Obrecht, the cringe-factor was the entire point. “The whole thing was supposed to be funny. Now it has so much reach and everyone knows about Canva Enterprise,” he said. “Achievement unlocked, kudos marketing team.” For one of Canva’s earliest investors, Wesley Chan, a former top Google executive, Canva’s cult-like status is its secret sauce, and what will help it become one of the world’s largest technology businesses. For Chan, the test of a strong company culture is how many of its employees dress up and get involved for its events. Canva events are big parties and its employees wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. In Canva’s co-founders Obrecht, Melanie Perkins and Cameron Adams, Chan sees direct parallels between Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. “One of the most striking things about coming to Canva’s product launches is how excited their users are when new features come out. They cheer, applaud, and travel all over the world to share their excitement together,” Chan said. “It reminds me of watching Steve Jobs launch a new version of the Mac or iPod on stage at Apple’s MacWorld over 20 years ago. Rarely do you find a customer base so thrilled and rarely do you find a company who can keep their users so happy and engaged for more than a decade.” Clearly, Canva has held on to some level of magic and whimsy that has deserted much of the rest of the technology sector, and is one of the key reasons so many engineers and designers want to work there. And a key test for the company going forward will be to hold on to the best aspects of its culture when it eventually becomes a publicly listed serious tech heavyweight. But Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda’s job is probably safe for now. What do you think of the rap - cringe or just good marketing? Read more in my piece for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. https://lnkd.in/gQSkvgVs

The Canva juggernaut just keeps going from strength to strength. And boy have they just schooled us all on how to create impactful B2B communication. No doubt you’ve read all of the industry commentary on the Enterprise Rap. Though, IMHO, it’s energetic, informative, and fun. Pretty sure that’s the Canva MO, so it hits the brief entirely. And also - we’re all talking about it. That’s right, the industry is taking notice. So why are people up in arms? Are we too cool in the creative industry? Is fun and light-hearted automatically classed as cringy? I loved it, and everything that Canva does. They’re leading the way when it comes to culture, communication and content - all the while staying true to their brand values. If this got them more eyes in the enterprise sector, and in turn - helps to do more good in the world (google ‘Canva Step 2’) - isn’t that what really matters? Bravo, Canva team. Keep the magic coming ✨ Zach Kitschke | Melanie Perkins | Cliff Obrecht | Cameron Adams | Robyn King

I had the privilege of attending Canva Create 2024 in Hollywood Park, LA, and it was an extraordinary experience from start to finish. Despite the mixed feedback, particularly around the rap song introducing Canva for Enterprise, it's essential to understand the context and culture behind it. Canva’s approach was not just about showcasing products but about redefining how we perceive work—making it fun and creative. ↳ Understanding Canva's Culture I've been a Canva user since they launched in 2013 and have witnessed their rise into the creative powerhouse they are today. Canva has always been about breaking the mold. Their culture is colorful, innovative, and quirky, reflected in their products and events. This isn’t the first time Canva has infused fun and creativity into their presentations. Their goal is to democratize design, making it accessible for everyone, and they’ve been innovating in this space for the last decade. ↳ Why the Rap Song Makes Sense Introducing Canva for Enterprise through a rap song is a bold move that fits perfectly with their brand ethos. We've seen many other companies take creative risks—Apple’s "Here's to the Crazy Ones" ad, Microsoft‘s dance with Steve Ballmer, and innovative campaigns from WeWork, Uber, and Airbnb. Canva’s story is inspiring because Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams built one of the world's favorite design tools for non-designers, disrupting an industry previously dominated by complex, desktop-based software like Adobe. ↳ My Personal Experience I spent the entire day at the event, from morning till evening, and enjoyed every thoughtful touch from the employees. The meticulous design of the badges, welcome booths, and colorful photo spots showcased the team's dedication. Canva spent more than eight months planning this, and it felt like a theatrical drama designed to ensure everyone had fun. Their announcements were phenomenal, and the rap song was a fitting end, reflecting their vision for the future of work—one that is fun and creative. Bob Igor, The Walt Disney Company’s CEO, was present and enjoyed the event as much as anyone, which is a testament to Canva's approach. If he wanted it, that’s significant validation from one of the world’s most creative companies. ↳ Final Thoughts Let's embrace the creativity and boldness that Canva brings. It’s not just about the tools; it’s about changing how we think about design and creativity in the workplace. Check out the video I captured at the event, where I sat in the front row and captured the vibrant energy of Canva! 💥🎉🥳 #CanvaCreate #CanvaEnterprise #CanvaRapSong #Canva

From Dorm Room to Dollar Billion: The Canva Story You’re scrolling through Instagram, right? That sleek, eye-catching story highlight cover? Yep, probably Canva. Planning a birthday bash? That invite with the perfect font and color scheme? You guessed it – Canva again. This design app has seamlessly become a part of our daily lives, adapting to everything from personal posts to professional presentations. But did you know this design dream started in a dorm room? Meet Melanie Perkins, the woman who turned a "wouldn't-it-be-cool-if" idea into a billion-dollar behemoth. Back then, design software was as user-friendly as a brick. Even art students were frustrated. Melanie saw a huge gap in the market and wanted to make design as easy as breathing. So, she started coding with a team as small as a hobbit's pantry, spending countless hours bringing her vision to life. Investors laughed, but Melanie was relentless. Fast forward a few years, and Canva is no longer a puppy; it's a full-grown design lion. With over 100 million users, it’s the go-to tool for everyone from influencers to Fortune 500 companies. Melanie, once a wide-eyed student, is now a Forbes 30 Under 30 superstar. The next time you whip up a masterpiece on Canva, spare a thought for the woman who made it all possible. If a design newbie like you can create something amazing, imagine what you could do if you set your mind to it. Do you think Melanie's story would have been different if people had believed in her vision from the start? Share your thoughts below!

Do you know about the Design Democratizer Who Built Canva? Melanie Perkins is the co-founder and CEO of Canva. Her vision and leadership have made design accessible to everyone, transforming the way people create visuals online. Perkins' path to design wasn't linear. After graduating from law school and working in business strategy, she identified a gap in the market. Design software was often expensive and complex, limiting creative expression for many. This sparked the idea for Canva – a user-friendly online design platform that would empower anyone to create professional-looking visuals. In 2013, alongside Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams, Perkins launched Canva. The platform offers a vast library of templates, user-friendly editing tools, and drag-and-drop functionality. Its intuitive interface and focus on collaboration made design accessible to a whole new audience – students, social media managers, small business owners, and anyone with a creative spark. Canva's growth has been phenomenal. From a small startup, it has become a global design powerhouse with millions of users worldwide. Perkins' focus on continuous improvement and adding new features – like presentations, video editing, and social media scheduling tools – has further expanded Canva's reach and solidified its position as a one-stop shop for all things visual content creation. Perkins is a role model for aspiring female entrepreneurs in the tech industry. She champions diversity and inclusion within Canva, fostering a company culture that values creativity and collaboration. Her success story inspires women to pursue leadership roles in technology and innovation. ➡️ What We Can Learn from Melanie Perkins 👇 1️⃣ Identify Market Gaps: Perkins' recognition of a need for accessible design tools highlights the importance of identifying unmet needs in the market. 2️⃣ Focus on User Experience: Canva's intuitive interface and user-friendly features demonstrate the value of prioritizing user experience in design and technology. 3️⃣ Embrace Continuous Improvement: Perkins' commitment to adding new features ensures Canva remains relevant and caters to evolving user needs. 4️⃣ Empower Others: Her dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive company culture serves as an inspiration for leaders in all industries. Melanie Perkins' story is a testament to the power of a good idea, coupled with a user-centric approach and a relentless pursuit of making creativity accessible to all. She continues to inspire a generation of designers and entrepreneurs who dream of a more visually engaging and creative world. ................................. For more inspiring stories, follow GLIPED- Best LinkedIn Personal Branding Agency! #Personalbranding #Storytelling #story #business #success #founder #CXO #MelaniePerkins #canva #linkedin #socialmedia #CEO #Innovation

"Omg. I'd have to step out, I couldn't sit through that." "You know you’re no longer a startup when you bring forth the cringe." "Wait, a CIO spent weeks preparing for this instead of working?" Canva, the darling design software company out of Sydney, just face-planted with a rap video that was so cringe-worthy that it went viral (50M+ views). Wait, hold on. Was it 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 a face-plant? "It was supposed to be funny and it worked," said Canva's COO Cliff Obrecht when reacting to a post poking fun at the video. "Now everyone knows about Canva enterprise. The marketing team couldn’t have done a better job." And then he makes a point that summarizes the very essence of standing the f*ck out: "Tech company product launches have essentially tried to be Steve Jobs launching the iPhone since that happened." /// You don’t have to be aggressive/unprofessional/rude to stand the f*ck out. That’d be missing the point. But you do need to be 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. That's your Spice: the link between what you believe and how that belief manifests in what you do (and, therefore, what your audience sees). Talk is cheap, but action is spicy. Canva's product launch was 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦-𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 for some. Great. That's the f*cking point. Now, I can hear you already. You don't have their budget. You don't have a team behind you. You're in a very serious industry. You can't possibly do this. Yes. Yes, you can. Because, as an underdog, you need to be afraid of one thing and one thing only: OBSCURITY. 3 ways to get started: 1) With an alter ego In "The Alter Ego Effect," Todd Herman advises channeling an alter ego that possesses the qualities you feel you're missing. Think of it like Superman — mild-mannered Clark Kent steps into a phone booth and emerges as the hero. You're doing that, but mentally. Canva's alter ego is probably a mix of Flo Rida and Bill Gates dancing at the Windows 95 launch. What's yours? 2) Exploring the limits The goal here is to explore extreme opposites across various aspects — cringey vs. serious — to develop new ideas. A few more: Laid-back vs. Aggressive Durable vs. Ephemeral Greedy vs. Generous Nostalgic vs. Cynical Logical vs. Absurd Slowest vs. Fastest 3) Doubling down on what others notice Pay attention to the small details about your brand that others notice but that you take for granted. It’s about letting the brand breathe. For example, I spontaneously started saying "Bonjour bonjour" at the beginning of every Everyone Hates Marketers interview. It was just a feeling, no strategy involved. Weeks later, people started echoing it back to me in emails and calls. This unexpected connection made me embrace it even more. What small things about you tend to catch people’s attention? Can you double down on them? /// As an underdog, you need to go to the very edge of the map, and not just 80% there. So, my little butterfly, go explore the limits. Go find your Spice. It’s not as far as you think.

Do You Use Canva? Canva recently introduced its new AI-powered design tools and features, and we believe these updates are set to revolutionize design forever. Discover how these powerful new tools can elevate your workflow and transform your creative process. https://lnkd.in/gGEWxRjt 1. Video Editor: Capture the highlights of your videos to generate short and engaging clips using the new Highlights tool—perfect for snappy social content. 2. Photo Editor: Effortlessly select, move, remove, or replace any element in your photo with Magic Grab. 3. Magic Media: Magic Grab allows you to effortlessly select, move, remove, or replace any element in your photos. 4. Resize and Magic Switch: Transform any design with just a few clicks—turn brainstorms into documents, project plans into summaries, or presentations into websites in seconds, effortlessly. 5. Magic Write: Magic Write can now generate text that matches your unique tone of voice. Just upload a sample, and with a click, you'll get text that sounds just like you. 6. AI-Powered Apps: Use Canva’s Apps Marketplace to find powerful apps that add effects to your images or increase photo resolution without compromising quality. 7. Recordings: From engaging sales pitches to welcome presentations for new hires, you can now narrate a presentation or video, record your entire screen, or add voiceovers to your designs to bring them to life. #Canva #AI https://lnkd.in/ghMnySzy

Canva has officially reached a $40 billion valuation. Here’s what you probably don’t know: When Canva first started back in 2013, they had a handful of users. But just a few years later, they stood as a globally renowned platform for graphic design. How did this happen? The unwavering determination of a 19-year-old college student. Here's the story: Canva's journey begins in 2007, when an Australian university student, Melanie Perkins, observed the difficulty her peers faced using existing design software. Melanie had an idea to simplify design for everyone, but the path to success was not linear. For a while, Melanie tried to find success doing random things: 1) Teaching graphic design 2) Setting up an online school yearbook design business, Fusion Books 3) Learning to kitesurf to connect with potential investors at the retreats hosted by venture capitalist Bill Tai. Until one day, everything changed. Melanie's vision of an easy-to-use design interface attracted investors. It was 2007, and Melanie embarked on the journey to become an influential tech entrepreneur. They saw this as an opportunity—and took it. Their game plan: 1) Develop a convenient, user-friendly design platform 2) Assemble a competent and dedicated team 3) Constantly grow and adapt to user demands and market trends. As you can probably guess: it worked. By 2021, Canva had risen to a wild level of success—way beyond they probably ever thought possible for themselves. 1) A valuation of $40 billion 2) Over 60 million monthly users from 190 countries 3) A fully remote team of 2000+ employees. And the rest is history. I love this story because it is the perfect encapsulation of what it takes to achieve success in the tech industry, but also shows how in order to be “lucky,” you need to put yourself in a position to receive luck. Great reminder for anyone with big dreams. --- And don’t forget to like this post ❤️ if you found it incredibly insightful. Your support fuels my passion for sharing valuable content! 🥐