Canva is set to undergo a major organisational restructuring, with 1,271 employees, or approximately 22% of its global workforce, affected by the changes as the design platform prepares for its next chapter.
In a message to employees, Canva Co-Founder and CEO Melanie Perkins described the decision as the hardest moment in the company’s 13-year history, acknowledging the impact on employees, their families, and colleagues.
“This is without doubt the hardest moment in our thirteen-year history. Behind every decision is someone we care deeply about, and I know the consequences will be very real for those directly affected, their families, friends and teammates,” Melanie said.
The restructuring comes amid rapid technological changes reshaping how people create and interact with digital products. Melanie also acknowledged that Canva had experienced its most challenging year yet, with growth slowing for the first time in a decade. She also underscored that the company had explored several alternatives before deciding that more substantial organizational changes were necessary.
A shift toward smaller, more empowered teams
According to Melanie, the changes will focus on three major areas: simplifying team structures, reducing specialization, and increasing in-person collaboration.
First, Canva will bring its Product, Growth, and Platform teams together under a single Product Organization. The move is intended to streamline decision-making, strengthen ownership, and reduce the coordination required to develop and improve its products.
“We want to get back to spending more time building, and less time navigating how work gets done,” Melanie said.
Second, the company plans to reduce subspecialization and organizational layers by consolidating overlapping responsibilities and incorporating narrower specializations into broader roles. This approach aims to give teams greater responsibility for projects from beginning to end.
The third change involves bringing closely connected teams together through increased in-person collaboration. While Canva will continue investing in its global workforce, Sydney will become the primary base for more of its product teams and selected roles across other specialities.
Beginning in January 2027, most hybrid employees are expected to spend approximately two to three days in the office each week, depending on local circumstances.
Support for affected employees
Despite the scale of the restructuring, Canva outlined a range of financial, career, and wellbeing provisions for employees leaving the company.
These include at least six months of salary, inclusive of statutory entitlements, regardless of location; the removal of the one-year vesting cliff for employees who joined within the past year; and 12 months of continued healthcare coverage in countries where the company currently provides it.
Departing employees will also receive 12 months of access to Canva Care, the company’s employee assistance program, including coverage for family members. Additional career support will include individual coaching, interview preparation, and one year of LinkedIn Premium.
Canva will also establish an opt-in alumni talent directory to connect former employees with opportunities through its investors, partners, and wider industry network. Employees leaving the company will be allowed to keep their Canva-issued MacBooks.
Another initiative is the Canva Collective Fund, which will provide USD 10,000 grants to departing employees interested in launching their own ventures or pursuing projects that support their local communities. The company said it will not take ownership or equity in the initiatives funded through the programme.
“While nothing can make this news easier, we’ve tried to reflect those different needs in the financial, career and wellbeing support we’re providing to everyone affected,” Melanie ensured, addressing the support measures.
Preparing for Canva’s next chapter
The restructuring will affect employees across Canva’s global operations in 37 countries, with the timing and process of individual consultations varying according to local requirements.
The company is also preparing to discuss the changes with its remaining workforce through a company-wide meeting scheduled for November 10, followed by organizational town halls beginning November 11.
Moreover, Melanie emphasized that the restructuring should not be interpreted as a reflection of the contributions or capabilities of those affected. She also expressed gratitude to those who helped build the platform, recognizing their contributions to making Canva accessible to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
“Please know these decisions do not diminish your talent, the value of your contributions, or the difference you’ve made here. We will do everything we can to support you in what comes next, and I hope the work we do from here will be worthy of what you’ve helped build.”
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