I’ve been using Photoshop for a long time. After college, I moved to Seattle and found a job in a professional photography lab, where they trained me to do restorations of old photographs using Photoshop. This was when the idea that we could digitally restore an old photo was new. Later I returned to school to get a certificate in Multimedia Design, where I really learned the ins and outs of Photoshop, and most of the Adobe Suite.

All this to say that I may be a little biased.

When Canva came around, I didn’t even give it a thought. I could not possibly see a need for design tool when I had the whole Adobe Creative Cloud Suite. Well, last year I finally came around, and now I happily pay Canva for a Pro membership and use it regularly.

When I choose Canva over Adobe

I go to Canva when I want something quick. If I’m doing a full client website mockup, I use Adobe XD. I even still use Photoshop to put together my inspiration boards, though I know Canva could do this as well. For this task, it’s that I already have a Photoshop template, but I could see eventually being swayed for this task too.

What is Canva best at

It’s great for things that need to be done on repeat. I can create a series of social media graphics and then duplicate and reuse them later. It’s collaboration tools are also quick and easy, if you need to work with others on your team. Finally, it’s a place where you can get everything all in one (and maybe that’s what makes it so quick). I have favorite images uploaded, my brand fonts, and color palette. Plus I have access to piles more of stock images, and free templates.

Canva on Mobile

The Canva app is better than anything I’ve seen for mobile. I can design social media graphics on my phone just as well as on my computer. I do normally use a computer, but if I need to tweak something or am just on the go, I’d absolutely use the mobile app without any struggles, and certainly over all the other apps I’ve tried for design.

Pro verse Free

I don’t think Pro is necessary, but it adds a lot of value. Besides the extra templates that Pro adds, what I really find important is the ability to add my branded fonts and colors. This feature is really why I find Pro valuable.

My teen daughter has actually started designing some of the social media graphics for Jessie Mary & Co. She’s definitely got talent when it comes to creativity and art, but she’s new to using design programs. Picking up on how to use Canva has been very easy for her, and she’s able to take templates and stay within my brand style. Having the tools that Pro offers makes this collaboration much easier.

A little bonus

I recently discovered Canva printing. I haven’t used it professionally but personally it’s amazing for quick good quality printed products. I’ve designed and printed invites, gift certificates and more. You just design and order in no extra time. Prices are reasonable and it’s amazing for if I just need 1 or a handful of a printed product. Free shipping is a little slow, but there’s an option to upgrade.

A must have

Two years ago, I never would have thought that Canva would have become a must have tool. Yes, there are other tools that I already have but I rate Canva as a must have do to the time it saves. If for some reason, I had to decide between Canva and Adobe’s Creative Cloud, I would choose Adobe, but that’s only because I am a professional web designer and need the additional capabilities it has.