Design Surfaces Podcast

In this episode, Andrew Green is joined by Phil Garnham, Executive Creative Director at Monotype, to explore the world of type design and its evolving relationship with technology. From the origins of variable fonts to the future of generative AI, Phil shares his journey through the ever-changing landscape of typography. They discuss the latest trends report, the resurgence of nostalgia in design, and the role of AI in shaping the future of fonts. Tune in as they dive into how designers can adapt to this new era, balancing innovation with craftsmanship, and the importance of authenticity in an increasingly digital world.

Join Andrew Green on the first episode in our Design Trends two-part series, as he sits down with special guest Sandra Michalska, Getty’s Creative Insights Manager for EMEA, to discuss the evolving world of visual storytelling. They dive into how creatives can balance data and emotion, crafting visuals that resonate deeply with audiences. Sandra shares insights from Getty’s latest Building Trust in the Age of AI report, exploring how generative AI is reshaping the creative process and how designers can use AI to unlock new creative possibilities without losing authenticity. Tune in as they discuss the role of nostalgia, human judgment, and the power of storytelling in today’s digital landscape.

In this first episode from our three part Droptober series, Andrew Green sits down with Ashleigh Bowring, one of Canva's talented Creative Directors, to dive into the heart of brand design. Ashleigh opens up about her journey from agency life in New York to leading the dynamic Brand Studio at Canva. They discuss the recent Canva Brand Glow Up, how emojis play a pivotal role in Canva’s visual language, and what it takes to maintain brand consistency while fostering creativity. Tune in for insights on Droptober, the magic of small, agile teams, and the power of playful storytelling in brand evolution.

In the final episode from behind the scenes at Extend - Canva’s Developer Event - Andrew sits down with Simone Attanasio, Ecosystems Group Design Lead, to explore how the team is bringing innovative solutions to life through Canva’s growing ecosystem. From groundbreaking product launches to pushing the boundaries with developer collaborations, Simone shares insights into the design processes behind key moments like the launch of the Connect API and SDK. Tune in to hear about the creative thinking and collaboration that’s shaping the future of Canva's platform and driving innovation across the board.

Join Andrew Green as he delves into the fascinating world of Canva’s ecosystem with Anwar Haneef, Head of Ecosystem at Canva. In this insightful episode, Anwar explains how Canva is evolving into a more robust platform by integrating contributions from developers worldwide to meet the diverse needs of its vast user base. They discuss innovative app integrations and the strategic importance of fostering a thriving developer community to keep Canva at the forefront of design technology. Tune in to learn about the future of design interfaces and user experience directly from the visionaries shaping it.

In this episode of Design Surfaces, Andrew Green kicks off the second season with a dynamic conversation with Giancarlo, co-founder of Zeppelin Labs, all the way from Uruguay. Gian shares the thrilling journey of Typecraft, their popular app featured in the Canva app marketplace, and discusses the pivotal moments and design philosophy behind their success. Tune in to discover how Zeppelin Labs harnesses creativity and technical prowess to enhance the Canva user experience, pushing the boundaries of design software development.

In the Season One finale of Design Surfaces, Andrew Green sits down with Chelsea Cook, Canva's Principal Design Lead in the Content Creative Group and a seasoned member of the Canva team. Chelsea shares insights from her dynamic five-and-a-half-year journey at Canva, discussing her initial role as a graphic designer and her evolution within the company. They delve into the impact of Canva’s content on users worldwide, the growth of the Content Creative team, and the vital role of research in enhancing user experience. Chelsea also reflects on her personal design philosophy, emphasising the importance of collaboration and diversity in crafting user-centred designs. Tune in to explore the blend of creativity and strategy in Canva's design ethos.

Join Andrew Green on this engaging episode of Design Surfaces as he delves into the fascinating world of creative technology with Jude Osborn, Canva’s Creative Technology Lead. Jude shares his journey from a passionate young creator to a pivotal leader at Canva, blending technology and design in innovative ways. They explore the unique challenges and rewards of being a creative technologist, Jude's early influences, and his role in shaping Canva’s approach to product development. Tune in to discover more about the relationship between creativity and technology and how it propels Canva's mission forward.

Join Andrew Green on this episode of Design Surfaces as he welcomes Alex Skougarevskaya (aka Skougs), Canva’s Supergroup Design Lead for Ecosystem. Alex shares her journey from a determined young artist to a pivotal leader at Canva, discussing the blend of art and technology in her work, and her role in managing the complex ecosystem of Canva's apps marketplace. They explore Alex's unique approach to integrating diverse user needs into seamless design solutions, her early influences, and her strategies for fostering creativity and innovation within teams. Tune into this deep dive into the transformative power of design and leadership in tech.

Join Andrew Green as he sits down with Ash Sterzenbach, Canva's Supergroup Design Lead for Teams and Education, on this episode of Design Surfaces. Ash discusses the expansive role and challenges of designing for diverse user segments from kindergarten through to the workplace. They delve into creating intuitive and user-centred designs that cater to educational and professional environments, highlighting the importance of maintaining simplicity in complex systems. Tune into this engaging conversation that explores the intersection of design, technology, and user experience, illustrating the depth of thought behind Canva’s products.

Join Andrew Green as he welcomes Maria Izvestkina to this episode of Design Surfaces. Maria, the design lead in Canva's curation team, delves into the dynamic intersection of content and product, sharing how Canva's templates and design tools are influenced by cultural trends and user needs. They discuss the critical role of AI in reshaping design processes and outcomes, exploring its integration into creative workflows and its impact on contemporary design aesthetics. Tune into this enlightening conversation that sheds light on the evolving landscape of design and the nuanced art of curating compelling visual narratives.

In this episode Sally Woellner, Design Lead at Canva, takes over from our usual host, Andrew Green, to sit down with him to understand his design philosophies and principles as a design leader, and his secret sauce for building the best design teams. Andrew shares his biggest reflections, who inspires him, and how his role at Canva has developed to grow design leaders. We discover his hottest takes on the design craft and his thinking about design across all of Canva.

Join Andrew Green on this episode of Design Surfaces as he chats with Molly Martin, fresh from her keynote appearance at Canva Create in LA. Molly shares her unorthodox journey into the world of design, from unexpected beginnings at a community desk at WeWork to becoming an influential figure at Expedia Group. They explore the power of design in shaping experiences, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and the role of 'optimistic grit' in overcoming professional hurdles. Dive into this engaging discussion that transcends the boundaries of traditional design roles and emphasises the profound impact of personal motivation and the courage to ask "why."

In this Pride Month special edition of the Design Surfaces Podcast CJ, Generative AI Supergroup Design Lead sits down with Collaboration Product Designer Jodie Clothier. They delved into the power of design and the role it plays in activism, the importance of diverse representation of the queer community as well as Canva’s commitment to inclusivity.

Join Andrew Green as he welcomes Dr. Sabba Quidwai to this episode of Design Surfaces. Dr. Sabba, a key figure in educational innovation and the CEO of Designing Schools, shares her insights fresh from her appearance at Canva Create. Dr. Sabba discusses her journey from a first-year teacher to a recognised leader in education, emphasising the critical role of design thinking in adapting to and integrating emerging technologies in schools. The conversation delves deep into the philosophy of fostering curiosity, the importance of empathy in educational leadership, and the transformative potential of AI in classrooms.

Join Andrew Green, Head of Design at Canva, as he sits down with Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist at Canva and former Chief Evangelist at Apple, in this insightful episode of Design Surfaces. Recorded live at Canva Create in LA, Guy shares his unique perspectives on entrepreneurialism, innovation, and making remarkable impacts in the tech world. They delve into the evolution of Canva, discuss the power of simplicity in design, and explore the significant role storytelling plays in branding and user experience. Guy also reflects on his journey through tech, highlighting pivotal moments that shaped his career and the industry.

Join Andrew Green in a new episode of Design Surfaces! He sits down with Michael Webster, Canva’s Creative Director of Brand, to dive deep into the vibrant and dynamic world of brand design at Canva. Michael shares his journey, the evolution of the brand, and how the team’s focus on refining and elevating Canva's brand image has paralleled the company's rapid growth. They discuss the integration of brand identity with product design, the strategic use of color and motion, and the behind-the-scenes of Canva Create's branding process. Michael also offers insights into how Canva's brand team leverages user feedback to shape a brand that not only represents the product but also resonates deeply with users across the globe.

In this episode of Design Surfaces, Andrew Green chats to Canva’s Discovery Design Lead, CJ on the nature and complexity of search design. They discuss the role of algorithms and the importance of thinking about the discovery journey that the user needs. They offer their thoughts on the evolution of designers toward behavioural design. CJ delves into her leadership philosophy and the importance of putting people in a position of autonomy to do their best work at Canva.

Andrew Green sits down with Canva’s Executive Creative Director, Cat van der Werff in this episode of ‘Design Surfaces’. Tune in as they discuss the evolution of the Canva brand, the beauty of stepping away to gain fresh perspectives and Canva’s philosophy of ‘handing over your lego’. They also touch on the art of balancing chaos with cadence, championing gender diversity and the power of listening.

Andrew Green is back! Join him as he chats to Content Creative Lead, Candy Mattiske about Canva’s transformative role in representation and diversity in design, always coming back to fundamental design philosophies and the essence of user-centric creativity. They offer unique career advice for young creatives breaking into the industry and discuss how generative AI can be used to help, not hinder, design flows.

In this episode of Design Surfaces, Sally Woellner chats to Canva’s Content Strategy & Experience Design Lead, Lucy Datyner. They explore themes central to creativity, motivation, and leadership within the design community. By highlighting the importance of community collaboration, unpacking the secrets of motivating design teams and embracing diverse perspectives, this is a must-listen for anyone looking to ignite their passion for design!

Join takeover host Sally Woellner and Claire Say, a product designer from Canva’s Print Platform team as they discuss the incredible opportunities of Canva’s Graduate Program, embracing feedback and failure for growth and the unique challenges faced by the Print surface area. A crucial listen for aspiring designers, creatives and university students alike!

Design Surfaces takeover host, Sally Woellner dives into the art of naming and the synergy between visual design and language with self-proclaimed ‘Word Nerd’ & Content Designer, Val Watkins! Explore the creativity behind product names, the joy language sparks, and pathways into content design. This episode unveils the magic of words in shaping user experiences, highlighting multidisciplinary collaboration at Canva.

Sally Woellner returns as the host for Design Surfaces! In this episode, Sally and one of Canva’s Product Design Leads, Stuart Cruickshank explain the amazing work behind the Canva Creator Community. Stuart also shares his vision on AI's role in design, emphasising the importance of cultural sensitivity and human input and explores the nuances of global design aesthetics.

Sally Woellner takes over hosting duties in this episode of the Design Surfaces Podcast! She chats with Principal Product Designer from the Editing Surfaces Team, Simon Chalk about his journey to Canva and navigating starting a new job during the Covid pandemic. They explore the vital stages of design work, a mentor's impact on personal and professional growth, and the necessity of learning from mistakes. Through a candid conversation and shared experiences, this episode offers valuable lessons on growth, teamwork, and the significance of a supportive culture in design.

Introducing Sally Woellner, Design Lead of the Content & Discovery Supergroup at Canva! Andrew and Sally delve into the pivotal role of collaboration in innovation and how a classic blockbuster movie inspired Sally to become a designer in the first place. They also explore the transformative impact of generative AI in design and the dynamic interplay between designers and engineers. Highlighting the essence of curiosity, empathy, and personal growth, Sally offers a unique perspective on navigating the challenges and triumphs in the evolving landscape of design. An exciting new chapter for the 'Design Surfaces' podcast is also revealed...

In this inspiring episode, Amelia Marshall ​shares her journey from journalism to ​leading Canva's Content Design team, ​overcoming imposter syndrome, and ​the power of feedback in career ​growth. Discover the impact of ​Content Design on business success ​and the importance of team ​dynamics, hiring for potential, and ​fostering a culture of ​experimentation.

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Canva's Head of ​Product, Rob Kawalsky to discuss his ​career journey, the wild ​world of Product Design and his ​passion for entrepreneurship. Rob ​dives deep into the key collaboration ​between Design and Product and the ​chaos of ambition, providing a peek ​behind the curtain of the foundations ​of Canva.

Jess Faccin is a Principal Product ​Designer leading Canva’s Magic ​Studio. She reveals the wholesome ​origin story behind why she wanted to ​become a designer and her unique ​condition that impacts her way of ​processing and communication ​information. Jess also explains how ​she’s turned a uncommon personality ​trait into her superpower!

In the first episode of the Design Surfaces podcast, Canva's CPO Cam Adams sits down with Head of Design, Andrew Green to dive into the evolving landscape of design, the critical role of taste, and the transformative impact of AI on creativity. They also discuss the future of Canva and where they are headed while also sharing their own personal journeys through design. Tune in for a mix of nostalgia, future gazing, and solid advice on making your mark in the design universe.

Show notes: -

• Cam mentions a quote by American radio host & writer, Ira Glass during this episode.
• The full quote is 'Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.'