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,...

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 i...

In the latest episode of Design Surfaces, Andrew Green dives into a captivating conversation with Ivan Engelbrecht, Head of Product and Design at Leonardo. Ai. They chat about the unique challenges of designing for AI and Ivan’s insights from years in the fast-paced world of agency work. Hear how Leonardo is bridging advanced AI with accessible design to empower creators, and learn about the game-...

Join Andrew Green on the second episode in our Droptober three-part series, as he dives into the origins and innovations of Leonardo.ai with special guest JJ Fiasson, Co-Founder and CEO. In this episode, JJ shares the journey from a gaming studio startup to one of the most talked-about generative AI platforms. They explore the powerful capabilities of Leonardo's foundational model, Phoenix, which...

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 langu...

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 behin...

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 fost...

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 har...

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 co...

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&...

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...

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,...

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 inte...

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 take...

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 synd...

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. Find your dream job at https://www.lifeatcanva.c...

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 int...

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 po...

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 integ...

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...

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 listenin...

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,...

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 an...

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! Find your dream job at https://www.lifeat...

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...