My take on using Canva for content creation: When It works, when it doesn’t
Canva has become one of the most popular content creation tools worldwide, with over 100 million monthly active users as of 2024 and a presence in more than 190 countries. From solopreneurs to Fortune 500 companies, it’s loved for making graphic design accessible to everyone, no matter their skill level.
I’ve seen plenty of designers online criticizing Canva, and I get where they’re coming from. But having created Canva templates for clients like Rystad Energy, ONS, Nysnø, and Solenergiklyngen, I’ve experienced firsthand how it can work well — if you know how to use it properly.
Think of Canva like a kitchen knife. It’s a great, versatile tool, but the outcome depends a lot on the cook’s skill and technique. Used well, it’s efficient and reliable. Used carelessly, it can ruin the dish.
When is Canva a good choice?
You need quick, consistent content without the cost of a full design team.
Your team includes people who aren’t designers but need to create social posts, presentations, or internal communications.
You want to empower multiple team members to work on content but still keep things on-brand.
The biggest challenges I see with Canva
1. Going wild with design options
Canva offers hundreds of fonts, thousands of templates, icons, images, and effects — which is fantastic for creativity but also a double-edged sword. When multiple people access the same account or templates, each might pick different fonts, colors, or styles just because they look “nice” to them. The result? Content that’s visually inconsistent and off-brand.
2. Lack of visual consistency
Consistency is the backbone of brand recognition, and this is often where Canva content can fall short. I frequently see posts mixing:
Different icon styles (flat icons, line illustrations, or 3D icons) in the same graphic
Multiple font families in one piece
Conflicting visual styles (photo-heavy elements paired with hand-drawn illustrations)
This mix dilutes the brand’s visual identity and can confuse your audience.
My recommendations to make Canva work for you
Get a professional to design your templates
A designer can set up your brand colors, fonts, logos, and a limited style guide inside Canva to keep things consistent and easy to use. This reduces guesswork and preserves brand integrity.Establish content check-ins
When several people have access, set up regular reviews to ensure everyone is following the templates and guidelines. It’s not about micromanaging but about maintaining a strong, cohesive brand presence.Train your team
Teach them the “why” behind the templates — not just how to use the tool, but why sticking to certain fonts, colors, and layouts matters.
When should you use a professional designer instead?
If your project requires:
Unique, creative design work that stands out from competitors
Complex branding refreshes or campaigns that demand a strong visual impact
Highly tailored, nuanced storytelling through design
then it’s worth investing in a professional designer. Canva can’t replace the strategic thinking and creative skills a professional brings to these types of projects.
Final thoughts
Canva is an incredible tool that democratizes design — and when used thoughtfully, it can save time and money while keeping your brand consistent. But it’s not a magic wand. The key lies in knowing when to use it, how to set it up properly, and when to bring in professional help.
If you’re interested, I’ve helped companies like Rystad Energy, ONS, Nysnø, and Solenergiklyngen create tailored Canva templates that balance flexibility with brand control. Feel free to reach out if you want to chat about what works best for your team.