If you ever needed to create a professional-looking design without much experience, you’ve probably heard of Canva.

It’s a platform that’s made graphic design accessible to everyone. Canva has been around since 2013, believe it or not. But in recent years, it’s gotten a wealth of attention.

How did Canva get started, and what’s made it so successful?

Let’s explore the history of Canva, from its founding to its impact on the design industry and more.

The Founding of Canva

Canva was founded by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams in 2013. Perkins had previously founded a company called Fusion Books, which allowed students to create yearbooks online.

While working on Fusion Books, Perkins had the idea for a platform that would make design accessible to everyone. She believed that with the right tools and resources, anyone could create beautiful designs, regardless of their experience or skill level.

Perkins met Obrecht and Adams through a mutual friend, and the three of them began working on Canva in a small apartment in Sydney, Australia. They spent a year developing the platform, working tirelessly to create a tool that was easy to use, versatile, and packed with features.

Launching Canva to new heights

When Canva launched in 2013, it was an instant hit. The platform was praised for its simplicity, versatility, and affordability. It was also designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their skill level or design experience. In the early days, Canva focused on building its user base, and it quickly gained a following.

One of the keys to Canva’s early success was its freemium model. The platform was free to use, with premium features available for a monthly fee. This made it an attractive option for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals. It also helped Canva build a large user base, which it could later monetize through premium subscriptions.

Another factor that contributed to Canva’s early growth was its focus on social media. The company made it easy for users to create graphics that were optimized for various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Canva also had a strong marketing strategy, which helped it gain traction in the early days. The company invested in content marketing, SEO, and influencer partnerships, which helped it reach a wider audience. By 2015, Canva had over 2 million users, and it was quickly becoming one of the most popular design platforms on the web.

Canva’s Expansion

As Canva continued to grow, the company expanded beyond its roots in Sydney, Australia. In 2016, Canva opened its first international office in Manila, Philippines, which gave the company access to a talented workforce and a rapidly growing market. The Manila office focused on customer support, content creation, and marketing, and it helped Canva continue to build its user base in Asia and beyond.

Over the next few years, Canva continued to expand its global footprint. The company opened offices in San Francisco, California; Beijing, China; and Sydney, Australia. These offices focused on product development, engineering, and design, and they helped Canva build a truly global team that could support its growing user base.

Canva’s Impact on the Design Industry

Canva’s impact on the design industry has been nothing short of amazing. By making design accessible to the masses, Canva has democratized the industry, making it possible for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals to create professional-quality designs without breaking the bank.

In the past, designers had to rely on expensive software like Photoshop or Illustrator to create professional designs. These programs had steep learning curves and required a lot of time and expertise to use effectively. With Canva, designers can create designs quickly and easily, without needing a lot of technical knowledge or experience.

Canva has also had a profound impact on social media. The platform’s focus on social media optimization has made it a go-to tool for social media managers and influencers who need to create engaging graphics that stand out on crowded feeds.

The bottom line

In short, Canva has made a huge impact in the world of design by making it accessible to everyone.

With its user-friendly platform and constant innovation, the company is set to continue leading the way in the industry. As a creator, you can join the millions of people who have used Canva to bring their ideas to life.