Canva does not replace Adobe CC, in the same way an iPhone does not replace a DSLR. While both have their strengths (and weaknesses), understanding best practices for each platform is key to better communication with your designer. From the outside looking in, the two seem comparable, but there are several key differences to consider before hiring a graphic designer. (As a designer, it’s also important to understand the difference, especially if you are more familiar with one over the other, as I am.
🍎 Canva is one program with tiered plans starting with a free base subscription.
🍊 Adobe Creative Cloud is $60/mo for individuals and has several different programs. (I have yet to meet a designer who has mastered every one.) Select programs are specific to areas of expertise, such as print, digital, motion, or web design.
🍎 Canva focuses on design for marketing, content creation, small business growth based on templated designs.
🍊 Within the Creative Cloud, designers can create anything graphic based that exists (large signs, packaging, billboards, animation, movies…)
🍎 Canva is user intuitive, user friendly and was created to make graphic design simple for anyone.
🍊 Adobe CC has different programs for a specific applications. It takes time and dedication to learn each program at an expert level. (Exp: Photoshop does not translate to InDesign)
🍎 Canva starts with beautifully designed templates, omitting the need for creative planning or understanding the basic principles of graphic design.
🍊 While Adobe CC has a templated component in Adobe Express, core programs do not offer creative assistance.
🍎 Canva does not allow vector downloads in free plan. This means no scaleable logos, and pixel based only graphics.
🍊 Adobe Illustrator is a vector based program that is the industry standard for designing logos.
🍎 Canva has a printing component within the platform, meaning you can use their preferred printer to place orders and have prints delivered directly to you.
🍊 Adobe CC allows for export to various file types, but does not have a direct to print component. This means you will use a third party printer to submit files and order from.
🍎 Canva has a good reputation for quick social media and digital applications, but poor quality images for print (and this could be dependent on the plan you are on).
🍊 While Adobe CC does not have issues handling large files or high resolution, it comes with a steep learning curve and it’s key to know which program is best for the intended output.
While there are pros and similarities in/between both, they are not interchangeable. In short, most designers that have experience with Adobe CC can do so only after extensive time in the programs. Paired with a formal education, Creative Cloud designers often harness expertise in design principles such as composition, color theory, logo creation, file differences, and typography. Because Canva is user intuitive, it does not demand the need to understand graphic design at a professional level. It is much easier to transfer from Creative Cloud to Canva than adversely, so you may find that some designers use both. However, it would be good to assume the ones who can began working in Creative Cloud. Canva was created for convenience, not expertise.
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