Canva Verified Expert, Ayodotun Akinfenwa, recently hosted the first Nigerian edition of the Global Canva Community Labs at the Art Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
This event, which was also held in various countries worldwide, including the UK, Malaysia, Brazil, Australia, Spain, India, Turkey, France, Mexico, Poland, Argentina and so on, was part of the Canva Create Community Labs series, created to coincide with the third edition of the annual Canva Create event in Los Angeles. The purpose was to introduce the latest features and tools to empower users globally. These local community events, led by Canva staff, experts and other ambassadors, engaged Canva enthusiasts worldwide between May and June.
Launched in 2013, Canva is an online design and publishing tool with over 185 million monthly users and over 25 billion designs created since launch. The Canva mission is to empower the world to design, and publish effortlessly. While commonly associated with small businesses, Canva caters to a broad spectrum, including global teams, enterprises, educators, students, and non-profit organisations.
Recognising its international reach, Canva enlisted some of its 50 verified experts and ambassadors to host small Community Labs in their home countries. These events offered networking opportunities, insights into new tools, and guidance on leveraging Canva for personal, professional and business endeavours. Nigeria and Ghana represented the African continent on this initiative. Surpassing expectations, over 100 Canva enthusiasts convened at the Art Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria to explore the new Glow up interface Magic AI Tools, New Work kits, Collaboration tools, and Courses feature, among others. Attendees engaged in learning sessions and enjoyed team projects, presentations, games, and Canva “Merch” giveaways.
The success of the Nigerian edition of the Global Canva Community Labs showcased the growing influence and reach of Canva in Africa. The event buzzed with excitement as participants dived into hands-on workshops and interactive sessions that highlighted the practical applications of Canva’s new features. The Magic AI Tools, for instance, fascinated many with their ability to streamline design processes, while the New Work kits provided innovative templates and resources that sparked creativity among attendees.
In addition to the learning opportunities, the event emphasized the importance of community and collaboration. Attendees formed small groups to tackle creative challenges, fostering teamwork and the exchange of ideas. These activities were not only educational but also built lasting connections among participants, many of whom expressed eagerness to continue collaborating beyond the event.
Speaking at the event, Ayodotun said, “Hosting this event in Nigeria was a fantastic opportunity to unite our talented creatives and professionals who utilise Canva for personal and business branding. The event fostered learning, camaraderie and mutual support among attendees from diverse backgrounds. With the positive feedback and the overwhelming turnout, it’s clear that the Canva Community Labs has struck a chord with Nigerian users, setting the stage for more vibrant and connected communities of creatives and professionals. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or a newcomer eager to learn, the Canva community offers resources and opportunities to help you grow and succeed. This empowerment of individuals and small businesses is particularly significant in African regions, where digital tools can drive innovation and economic growth.”
Ayodotun, a Brand, Marketing, and Communications consultant, presently works as the Global Head of Communications at The Elevation Church and is one of the two Canva Experts from Nigeria. Her extensive experience includes training businesses, SMEs and corporate staff since 2017 in Strategic Marketing, Branding, Content Strategy, and Content Marketing, having impacted over 13,000 individuals to date.
For more of her work and the Canva Community, visit her Instagram profiles at Ayodotun Akinfenwa or Lifestylehues and her LinkedIn profile at Ayodotun Akinfenwa Mcim. She can be reached on ayodotunakinfenwa@gmail.com.
