Canva trims workforce by 22% as it restructures operations

Canva announced a major restructuring that will affect 1,271 employees, representing roughly 22 percent of its global staff, according to co‑founder and chief executive Melanie Perkins.

Perkins said the changes will involve a mix of role adjustments and the possibility of moving certain employees to centralized office hubs. "For some people, this will mean changes to their roles or being asked to relocate to centralized hubs," she told staff, adding that the moves are intended to align the company with its evolving business priorities.

The Australian‑based design platform has grown rapidly since its 2012 launch, expanding from a small startup to a multi‑billion‑dollar enterprise with a presence in dozens of countries. Its valuation, reported at more than $40 billion in recent funding rounds, has placed it among the world’s most valuable private tech firms.

Industry analysts suggest the layoffs reflect a broader shift in the tech sector, where companies that expanded aggressively during the pandemic are now tightening belts amid slower consumer spending and tighter capital markets. Canva’s decision appears aimed at curbing costs while preserving the core product and its long‑term growth trajectory.

Reactions among the workforce have been mixed, with some employees expressing disappointment and uncertainty about the future of their roles, while others view the move as a necessary step to ensure the company's sustainability. Observers note that the redesign of the workforce could also signal a strategic pivot toward more centralized collaboration and a reassessment of remote‑work policies that were widely adopted during the pandemic.

Looking ahead, Canva plans to continue investing in product development and expanding its suite of design tools, but with a leaner operational structure. The company has pledged to support affected staff through transition assistance and will monitor the impact of the reorganization on its market position as competition in the online design space intensifies.