Canva: An Easy Way to Be Like Everyone Else

Canva is a hit among graphic design tools. Its intuitive interface and rich library of templates make creating attractive graphics incredibly easy. Sounds tempting? Unfortunately, what seems like an easy solution may turn out to be a trap for your brand.

Have you ever noticed how many Instagram posts look very similar? This is the result of excessive use of popular Canva templates. Everyone is aiming for the trendy aesthetic, but in the pursuit of current trends, they forget the purpose of good visual identity. The result is a flood of bland, inconsistent brands that don’t visually stand out in a sea of thousands of similar brands.

The “template” effect

Each of us wants our brand to be unique and memorable. However, in the rush to follow trends, we often opt for ready-made solutions that promise quick results. This approach can cause our brand to lose its unique character. Why?

Repetitiveness: Are you using ready-made graphics and templates to create your brand? Keep in mind that thousands of other users are also using them. If everyone is using “templates,” what will make your brand stand out in a sea of a million other identical brands?

Lack of uniqueness: Ready-made graphic elements make your designs lose their individuality. You choose elements that you like at the moment, but most likely this is not the result of a well-thought-out strategy, and these elements are not part of your business’s character.

Visual inconsistency: Choosing individual elements in different styles makes it hard to achieve a cohesive color scheme and style. It mostly looks unappealing and gives the impression of randomness.

Perception by audiences: Many users will quickly notice that your graphic was created based on a template. For these users, this is a red flag and raises questions like “Is this a real business? Is this actually a professional?”

Brand as a result of random elements: Using ready-made graphic elements leads to a lack of consistency in the brand message. Without clearly defined brand pillars and rules for their usage, the brand becomes just a random collection of graphic elements.

Is Canva a cheap tool?

The free version of Canva is a very limited tool, and its best features are hidden in the Pro version, which costs up to $120 annually (as of January 2025). It may seem like a cheaper option than hiring a designer to create branding. However, in the long run, investing in professional services will bring much greater benefits.

Instead of looking for savings in such a fundamental aspect as branding your business, leave it to the professionals. With a designer, you will create a visual identity that reflects your brand and its character traits, as well as your business goals. A professional visual identity is, above all, a brand that answers all your needs, is flexible, and evolves with your business and its challenges.

Hidden costs: Although using Canva itself may seem cheaper, the time spent creating graphics and making potential revisions can be very time-consuming and costly.

Reputation losses: Unprofessional graphics can deter potential customers and harm your brand’s reputation.

Lack of long-term strategy: Using ready-made templates makes it difficult to create a consistent visual strategy that will support your business’s growth.

Summary

Canva can be a useful tool for quickly creating simple graphics, but it is definitely not a solution for building your business brand. If you want to create a strong and recognizable brand, invest in professional designer services. It’s an investment that will pay off in the form of greater recognition, customer trust, and better business results.