Canva Has 20 Billion Designs

Every second, more than 200 designs are created on Canva.

From wedding invitations to pitch decks, Canva has become the go-to design tool for over 175 million monthly users.

But what made Canva stand out in a crowded market of design software?

One of their most innovative moves was turning their users into contributors - helping them grow a design empire that now includes over 20 billion creations.

So, how exactly did they do it?

The Big Idea:

Let’s Talk About Building Together

Imagine needing a design for a social media post or a wedding invitation.

You want it to look amazing, but maybe graphic design isn’t your strong suit. That’s where Canva comes in. It's a user-friendly platform we know for everyone.

But how does Canva always have exactly what you are looking for?

Templates that fit every mood, theme, and purpose. The secret?

Canva didn’t create all of it alone. This design empire was built with the help of users like you. Yes, Canva created a platform where you can contribute.

The result? Design resources powered by real people worldwide.

Behind the Magic:

Canva’s User Contribution Program

Canva didn’t just want to be another Illustrator or any other design tool. They wanted to build a community-driven platform.

Their user contribution program made it happen. By the end of 2023, over 20 billion designs had been created on Canva, with 3.8 billion from the United States. (Source)

Here’s how they pulled it off:

1. Opening Doors to Creators Worldwide

Canva realized early on that no matter how big the team got, they could not cover every single design need out there.

So, they opened their platform to designers worldwide. If you are good at creating templates, illustrations, or elements, you can sell your work on Canva. Not just that, but images, gifs, and videos too.

By allowing creators to upload their designs, Canva did not just get a massive library of resources. They created a win-win situation: Canva got fresh content, and creators earned loyalty on every use.

• Canva has users in more than 190 countries, with a portion of its user base aged between 25 and 34. (Source)

2. Empowering Everyday People to Design

Before Canva, designing felt exclusive and reserved only for those with professional tools and advanced design skills like Photoshop. But Canva flipped the script. Their user contribution program brought designs from real people to real people.

A teacher could make lesson plans. A student could create resumes. A small business owner could design a logo. All using designs made by others who understood their needs.

• In 2019, Canva had approx 24 million monthly users. That increased to 40 million in 2020 and 60 million in 2021.
  By March 2022, they reported 75 million users. As of now, Canva is used by 175 million people each month. (source)

3. Focusing on Localization

Here’s a smart move: Canva realized people in Japan wanted different templates from people in the US needed. So, they encouraged users from different countries to create content personalized to their culture and language.

This localized approach helped Canva stand out globally. Can you believe more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies use Canva today?

4. Building a Feedback Loop

Canva’s user contribution program isn’t a one-and-done thing. They created a feedback system where users rate and review templates. This helped contributors understand what works and allowed Canva to curate high-quality content.

It also motivated designers to do their best in every design they contributed.

Where It Fits:

Making It Work For You

• Simplify your branding by creating a shared library of templates for your team. Canva ensures brand consistency across all marketing materials.

• Save time with ready-to-use templates for campaigns, presentations, and reports. Customize them to your strategies without starting from scratch.

• Kickstart your creativity with Canva’s drag-and-drop tools and user-contributed designs. Learn by exploring professional-quality templates and adapting them to your needs.

No matter your level, Canva makes it easier to design on-brand designs quickly.

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