Australian technology company Canva is set to undergo a major organizational restructuring affecting 1,271 employees, or approximately 22% of its global workforce, marking the biggest workforce shake-up in its 13-year history.
The restructuring will involve job cuts, changes to existing positions, team consolidation, and possible employee relocations as the company seeks to streamline operations and return to a more startup-oriented structure.
Canva co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Melanie Perkins described the move as a difficult decision, calling it the hardest moment in the company’s history. She explained that the changes are intended to prepare the business for its next phase of growth amid increasing technological developments and organizational challenges.
Under the proposed changes, the company plans to consolidate its Product, Growth, and Platform teams into a single Product organization. The restructuring is also expected to reduce management layers, simplify operations, and give teams greater responsibility and autonomy in product development.
Some employees may be asked to relocate, with Sydney designated as the primary base for more product teams. Beginning January 2027, most employees under the company’s hybrid work arrangement are also expected to work in the office approximately two to three days per week, depending on their location.
Affected employees will receive separation and transition assistance, including at least six months’ salary, healthcare and well-being support, and career coaching. Departing employees will also have access to a US$10,000 grant program to help fund business ventures or community projects.
FROM AUSTRALIAN STARTUP TO GLOBAL DESIGN PLATFORM
Founded in 2013 by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams, Canva began as an Australian startup with the goal of making graphic design more accessible to people without professional design experience.
The platform allows individuals, businesses, educators, and organizations to create visual content through an online design interface featuring customizable templates, images, fonts, and other creative tools.
Its services cover a wide range of creative needs, including social media graphics, presentations, marketing materials, videos, documents, and website designs. Over the years, Canva has expanded its offerings beyond basic graphic design to include collaborative workplace tools and business-focused solutions.
The company has grown into one of Australia’s most prominent technology success stories, with hundreds of millions of users worldwide and operations across 37 countries.
GROWING COMPETITION IN THE AI ERA
The workforce changes come as artificial intelligence continues to transform the global technology and digital design industries.
Canva has been expanding its AI-powered capabilities through tools that allow users to generate images, create content, edit designs, and streamline creative workflows. These developments reflect the company’s efforts to adapt to changing user expectations and compete in an increasingly crowded digital design market.
However, the restructuring is not attributed solely to artificial intelligence. Perkins also pointed to Canva’s slowing business growth, which reportedly declined for the first time in a decade, as well as organizational complexity and fragmented responsibilities across teams.
The company said it wants to return to smaller, more empowered teams that can make decisions faster, take greater ownership of projects, and focus on developing products that serve its global community.
The restructuring signals a significant shift in Canva’s operations as it navigates changing consumer demands, technological developments, and increasing competition across the global software industry.
📸 The Hindu
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