Popular design platform Canva has acquired creative software suite Affinity, aiming to strengthen itself and “beat” Adobe in the digital design industry. Canva announced the deal, which will see it acquire Affinity Designer, Photo and Publisher, three popular creative apps for Windows, Mac and iPad that provide similar features to Adobe’s Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, respectively.
Australia-based Canva has been known to be trying to attract more creative professionals, and it hopes this acquisition will help. As of January, the design platform had about 170 million monthly global users. Unlike Adobe, Canva doesn't have its own design apps that appeal to creative professionals like illustrators, photographers, and video editors.
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The company explained that in recent years it has focused on providing services to people without design knowledge, but now wants to emphasize professionals as well. “By joining forces with Affinity, we are unlocking the full spectrum of designers at every level and stage of the design journey.”
Affinity apps are used by over three million users worldwide. In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Canva co-founder Cameron Adamssaid that Affinity apps will remain separate from platform , but that some small integrations will be made over time. “Our product teams have already started talking and we have some immediate plans for light integration. We believe, however, that the products themselves will always be separate,” Adams said.
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The acquisition is expected to impact the digital design industry in several ways. First, Canva can enhance platform with more advanced tools design, increasing its competitiveness in the market.
With Affinity and its 90 employees, Canva has a better chance of competing with Adobe in the creative software market. And since the platform is already very popular, it could actually attract professionals.
Then, this acquisition could create a more complete solution for designers, offering a wider range of tools. This could make Canva a more attractive option for professional designers.
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Adobe's dominance may be challenged in the digital design industry and may face increased competition as Canva expands its capabilities.
Finally, this acquisition could affect the pricing and accessibility of design tools. If Canva can offer more advanced tools at more affordable prices, this could change the dynamics of the market.
Source: www.theverge.com
