Canva’s Vision for Creative Tools: Empowering Designers Without Replacing the Craft

AI and Creative Craft: Insights from Canva’s Liam Fisher

Canva’s acquisition of Affinity in early 2024 marked a significant step in providing creative professionals with powerful yet accessible design tools. While Canva already boasted a massive user base exceeding 230 million, the addition of Affinity brought precision and performance tailored for professional designers, illustrators, and typographers.

Liam Fisher, Canva’s Head of Pro Design Marketing, emphasizes that AI is not about replacing creativity but enhancing it. He highlights that many creative software suites suffer from excessive features that slow down workflows and push subscription costs higher. Canva and Affinity reject this approach, focusing instead on freedom, accessibility, and performance to empower both non-designers and seasoned professionals.

Addressing Pain Points for Professional Designers

Subscription models have long restricted creative tools, often burdening users with bloated software packed with unnecessary features. Fisher points out that Canva and Affinity take a different path by providing professional designers with choice and flexibility without compromising power. Together, the platforms serve a broad spectrum—from those with no formal design training to those demanding precision in their craft.

This synergy allows teams within organizations to communicate visually with ease. Canva enables non-designers to create and collaborate, while Affinity remains the go-to for professionals seeking detailed control.

AI as a Tool to Support Creativity, Not Replace It

Fisher stresses that AI’s role in Canva and Affinity is to assist, not to take over creative work. AI handles heavy lifting in Canva, helping non-designers express ideas visually. Meanwhile, Affinity focuses on giving professionals the control and precision to bring their vision to life.

The integration of AI features aims to improve designers’ workflows rather than replace their unique creativity. Canva uses a mix of in-house and partner technologies, carefully balancing automation with artistic intent.

Competition and Market Position

While Canva competes with giants like Adobe, Microsoft, and Google, Fisher says the company does not feel pressured by this. Instead, Canva’s focus remains on building clean, efficient tools that avoid bloat and improve real-time editing experiences. This approach offers professionals a powerful alternative without unnecessary complexity.

Community-Led Innovation

Canva’s updates are guided by user feedback from millions of people, including teachers, small businesses, and professional designers. This community-driven development ensures that new features solve real problems rather than chasing trends. It also helps avoid bloated software by prioritizing clarity, focus, and impact in every update.

Data Privacy and AI Ethics

Trust is a cornerstone for Canva and Affinity. Through the Canva Shield framework, the platforms enforce strict data privacy and AI ethics standards. Multi-layered safeguards, content moderation, and transparency put users in control of their data. Ongoing research into bias mitigation ensures AI outputs are fair and inclusive.

For professionals using Affinity, this commitment means they can confidently create knowing their data is protected and AI tools are used responsibly.

Bringing Professional Tools to Education and Emerging Markets

Affinity is now free for schools and non-profits worldwide through Canva Education, reflecting a commitment to nurture creative skills early on. India is identified as a high-potential market, with Photo and Designer being the most popular Affinity apps among Indian users.

By making professional-grade tools widely accessible, Canva aims to support creative growth across different communities and industries.

Final Thoughts

Liam Fisher’s vision is clear: AI should amplify human creativity, not replace it. By combining Canva’s user-friendly design platform with Affinity’s professional power, creatives at all levels get tools that respect their craft while streamlining workflows.

This balanced approach, backed by strong ethics and community input, sets Canva apart as a platform that values both innovation and the artistry of design.

For creatives interested in exploring AI tools that complement their work, resources like Complete AI Training offer courses and insights tailored to creative professionals.