Designers, It’s Time to Chill About Canva

Designers, We Gotta Stop Ragging on Canva (Yes, I’m Talking to Myself Too)

From the slightly judgy, kerning-obsessed desk of a graphic designer

Let me start with a confession: I’ve rolled my eyes at Canva. Hard. Like, seeing-the-back-of-my-brain hard. I’ve muttered things like, “Well, I prefer to use programs with a little more… control,” or “Sure, if you want it to look like every other Canva post on the planet.” Maybe you’ve said similar things. Maybe you’re saying them right now while reading this.

But here’s the thing—we need to stop hating on Canva so much. (Ugh. I know. I cringed writing that, too.)

Before you storm off in a Helvetica-fueled rage, hear me out.

Canva Is Not the Enemy—It’s the Tool for the Job (Just Not Our Job)

We, the Photoshop warriors, the Illustrator sorcerers, the Figma-finessers, like to believe that good design must come from “real” programs. Programs that crash if your RAM breathes funny. Programs that have toolbars with more layers than a wedding cake. Programs that took us years (and possibly student loans) to master.

But for the everyday person—the small biz owner, the nonprofit volunteer, the social media intern trying to keep up with a Monday content calendar—Canva is a lifesaver. It’s intuitive. It’s accessible. It has templates that don’t make your soul wither (well… not all of them). And more importantly, it helps them solve a problem.

And solving problems, friends, is what design is all about.

Canva Solves a Need—Just Not Ours

We’re over here adjusting type by .01 ems and using grids like they’re sacred geometry. Meanwhile, someone out there is making a flyer for a bake sale at 11:47 PM, and they need it to be done in five minutes flat. Not perfect. Not Pantone-approved. Just done.

That’s where Canva shines.

It’s not trying to be Adobe. It’s not here to replace your beautifully-built design system or your bleeding-edge web animation. It’s here for Karen who needs to make a church newsletter. For Jay who’s launching a new Etsy shop. For the social media manager who just got handed six platforms and a dream.

We Don’t Have to Love It, But We Can Respect the Hustle

Listen, I still don’t like using Canva. It’s like trying to cook a gourmet meal in an Easy-Bake Oven. I miss my guides, my bezier curves, my custom type. But I’ve also had to help clients who live and breathe in Canva—and I get it. It lowers the barrier to entry. It gives them a sense of creative control. It makes design approachable instead of intimidating.

Do I wish people hired a professional instead of just “making it themselves”? Of course. But am I mad that they have a tool that helps them make something somewhat on-brand, halfway legible, and posted on time? Not anymore.

My final thoughts on the matter—Canva Isn’t Going Away, and Honestly, It Shouldn’t

Canva isn’t a threat to design. It’s a tool because of design. It exists because someone saw a gap, and filled it. That’s what we do too, remember?

So let’s stop dunking on Canva. Let’s stop the elitism (even when it feels really good to feel superior). Let’s meet people where they are and offer guidance when we can.

Because Canva’s not going anywhere. And maybe—just maybe—that’s okay.

(Still not using it for logos though. Let’s not get carried away.)