in a move that’s got everyone in the design world spilling their flat whites in excitement, Canva, the Aussie design giant, has just bagged itself a British gem, affinity. according to the folks over at Bloomberg, this deal’s worth a pretty penny – think in the ballpark of several hundred million quid!

now, for those who’ve been living under a rock (or perhaps just deeply engrossed in their own design masterpieces), Canva’s been the go-to for anyone who fancies themselves a designer but perhaps lacks the formal training. but with Cliff Obrecht, canva’s co-founder, dropping hints like hot scones, it looks like they’re setting their sights on the pros too.

“it’s not just about making life a tad easier for the 99% of us who can’t tell a bezier curve from a bagel,” Obrecht muses. “we’re here to dazzle the full spectrum of designers, from the rookies to the seasoned pros.”

and why affinity, you might ask? well, it seems Canva’s got its eye on a bigger prize, ready to lock horns with the behemoth of design, adobe. ray wang, a big brain at constellation research, reckons Canva needed a bit of oomph to take on adobe express. “affinity’s not just a pretty face,” he says, noting its slick photo editor and user-friendly layout.

over at Affinity, they’re practically doing cartwheels. Ashley Hewson, affinity’s big cheese, is keen to soothe any furrowed brows among their loyal users. “we get it, change is scary,” he essentially says. “but with Canva’s muscle, we’re about to turbocharge our offerings.”

not everyone’s popping the champagne, though. ehab bandar of bigtable.co throws a bit of a wet blanket on the party, speculating about the future of Affinity’s beloved one-time purchase model in this new subscription-happy world.

and as for Canva, they’re not exactly hurting for cash. even after a bit of a tumble from their $40 billion perch, they’re still sitting pretty with a valuation that’d make your eyes water.

with this acquisition, Canva’s not just expanding its toolkit; it’s sending a clear message to the design world: we’re here to play, and we’re playing for keeps. so, whether you’re a design newbie or a seasoned pro, it might just be time to sit up and take notice.

read Canva’s statement here

source article | TechCrunch

Wally

Walton "Wally" is a seasoned expert in web technologies, focusing on e-commerce and customer journeys. As the co-founder, CTO, and Head of Storytelling at YOBO Studio, he merges tech with engaging narratives. Beyond his professional endeavours, Wally LOVE his family and is about trail running. His balanced dedication to work and personal life sets him apart as a respected figure in the digital and personal realms.

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