Canva's first global event shining a light on the importance of visual communication.

Canva Create: The Future is Visual was Canva’s first global event, held in Sydney, with more than 400,000 people registered to attend in-person and virtually. The event showcased upcoming product launches, new creative marketplaces and celebrated the Canva community members.

As a first of its kind event it needed a distinct identity that could stretch from presentation slides and motion graphics to experiential activations and environmental design.

insight

We’re living in the peak visual era, in human history due to the rise in digital technology. The ways we learn, communicate, create, and conduct business have fundamentally changed to reflect this new world.

The theme of The Future is Visual speaks to the human race's ongoing thirst for endless connection through immersive and visual experiences.

idea

The brand identity was inspired by the visual narrative of light passing through a prism and producing a spectrum of colors. This concept resonated with Canva’s mission to be a catalyst for visual communication, taking information and transforming it into engaging designs. Following this direction, our key visual was a synthesis of two main elements: the eye and the spectrum.

installations

At the Hordern Pavilion, attendees were welcomed with event installations and activations that built on the theme of the visual world and incorporated Canva's UI.

into the future

Upon entering the venue attendees walked through a light tunnel, another asset aimed at bringing to life the event's theme of visual stimulus and how we crave these engaging experiences.

Visualising the Community

Custom illustrations were made for our first-ever Canva Community Awards.The awards showcased the magical moments and measurable impact of these incredibly talented and diverse community members.

Dr. Tererai Trent received the Inspiring

Individual Award for her use of Canva to create generational change for girls in Zimbabwe.

A special Canva Love award was also given to Roger Coles for his ‘Living in a Canva Paradise’ music video, which he performed live during the event.

Heather Lamb, head librarian at Castleberry Independent District School, received the Incredible Innovator Award for using Canva to design a mobile library bus in Texas.

Zolo, a sustainability startup creating a circular economy for old tech in Australia, received the Impactful Team Award.

the big reveal

At the end of the event, the on-stage screen theatrically lifted to reveal an after-party, at the centre of which was an epic eye light installation.

"Canva Create really felt authentically Canva. It’s been an absolute pleasure sharing all of the magic that our team has been creating to help empower the world in this new visual era."

Melanie Perkins, CEO & Co-Founder

getting involved

In the lead up to the event Canva staff were encouraged to get involved and help promote the event across social media channels with their own portraits and a DIY brand toolkit.

We acknowledge Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. Our Sydney studio sits on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and we pay our respects to their elders past, present, and emerging. Canva is a proudly and intentionally inclusive company and supporter of the LGBTIQ+ community.