Canva acquires Affinity to target design pros
Canva has announced its acquisition of award-winning professional creative software Affinity, making the all-in-one design platform more accessible to organisations and professionals of all levels.
In its 10 years of operation, Affinity has built a suite of creative tools and products, including Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, and Affinity Publisher, embraced by over 3 million users including photographers, publishers, and professional designers.
For its work, Affinity has won a number of awards, including an Apple Design Award, Apple App of the Year for Mac and iPad, and the Microsoft Application Developer of the Year.
“Visual communication is now ubiquitous in the workplace, and investing in strategies that enhance our B2B offerings is core to the future of our business," said Cliff Obrecht, the co-founder and COO of Canva.
“The Affinity team comes with an incredible caliber of talent and technology, and we're delighted to welcome them to Canva as we enter our next phase together,” he added, citing the steadily rising need of businesses for effective visual communication.
Simplifying design for everyone
According to Canva, it will continue to invest in the Affinity suite to enhance the experience of professional designers. It hopes to be a “powerhouse combination” to provide all the much-needed tools for every type of designer.
Canva has enjoyed rapid growth due to its focus on easy-to-use design for the everyday user. It has grown its user base to 175 million across 190 countries in just a couple of decades. Its introduction of Canva’s Visual Suite in 2022 even bolstered its push to tap new audiences, adding 90 million users in just 18 months.
“Since the inception of Affinity, our mission has been to empower creatives with tools that unleash their full potential, fostering a community where innovation and artistry flourish," said Ashley Hewson, CEO of Affinity.
“We've worked tirelessly to challenge the status quo, delivering professional-grade creative software that is both accessible and affordable. Canva’s commitment to empowering everyone to create aligns perfectly with those values. We couldn't be more excited about becoming part of the Canva family and can't wait to see what we will achieve together,” she added.
Canva’s expansion leveraged key acquisitions from Europe’s startup ecosystem, such as Flourish, Kaleido, Smartmockups, Pexels, and Pixabay. The company even opened its European headquarters in London in 2023.
The importance of design in business
Design plays a crucial role in how businesses present themselves to the world. From logos and websites to marketing materials and product packaging, strong design helps businesses stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Well-crafted design establishes brand recognition, builds trust with customers, and ultimately drives sales.
Effective visual communication makes information easier to understand and retain, enhancing customer engagement. In an increasingly digital world, a company's design choices speak volumes about its values and commitment to quality.
Surely, Canva’s acquisition of Affinity will create ripples and waves not just in the world of design but also in businesses across industries around the globe.