Canva has launched its own foundational design model. This new model understands different layers and formats to power the company’s features. It was trained on Canva’s own elements and can generate designs with editable layers and objects, unlike a flat image. The model works across various formats including social media posts, presentations, whiteboards, and websites.
Company executives explained that while previous tools created flat images or required extensive prompting for edits, this new model allows users to start with a prompt and then iterate directly on the design themselves for greater creative control.
The company also introduced updates to its AI assistant, named Canva AI. This assistant, which features a chat-like interface, is now available across more screens within the platform, including the design and elements tabs. Users can mention the AI in comments to get text or media suggestions while collaborating on projects. The AI tool has gained new capabilities, such as generating 3D objects and copying the art style from an existing design.
Earlier this year, Canva added a spreadsheet product and a coding tool for creating mini apps. These two products are now connected, allowing users to create widgets from data stored in their spreadsheets to get repeatable insights.
In other developments, Canva acquired an ad analytics company called MagicBrief earlier this year. Leveraging this acquisition, Canva is launching a full-stack marketing platform named Canva Grow. This platform uses AI for both asset creation and analytics, and it enables marketers to publish their ads directly on platforms like Meta.
Alongside the AI features, Canva announced several new products. Users can now create forms within Canva to gather input from clients or other people, providing an alternative to tools like Google Forms. The platform is also adding email design capabilities, allowing users to create templates and layouts for marketing or package tracking emails that adhere to their brand’s aesthetics.
Last year, Canva acquired the professional design tool Affinity. With this recent release, the company has made Affinity free forever for all users. Canva is also redesigning the Affinity interface to combine vector, pixel, and layout tools into a single workspace. The integration between Affinity and Canva is being tightened, allowing designers to create objects in the professional tool and seamlessly move them into Canva. Users will also be able to use Canva AI to generate images or designs directly within the Affinity application.