Canva cuts 1,271 jobs, about 22% of its staff, in its first big layoffs

Canva, the popular design tool, has announced the first major layoffs in its 13-year history. In total, 1,271 people, about 22% of the company's staff, will be affected. Not all of them are losing their jobs, but all of them face a big change.

What changed

The company is restructuring. Of the 1,271 people affected, some will be laid off. Others will be asked to change roles. Others will be asked to relocate to the company's headquarters in Sydney, Australia.

• 1,271 people affected, about 22% of total staff
• Some laid off, some moved to new roles, some asked to relocate to Sydney
• First major round of layoffs in the company's 13 years

Who it affects

Canva is a tool many people use to make social posts, presentations, flyers and other designs without hiring a designer. The most direct impact falls on the employees involved. But businesses that rely on Canva every day may also notice changes over time as the company reshapes itself around AI, meaning software that can create or edit designs from a short written request.

What is not known yet

The available details are thin. It is not clear which teams are hit hardest, how many people are laid off versus moved, or when the changes take effect. There is also no word yet on whether prices, features or customer support will change for users.

What to do

There is no need to act today. If your business depends on Canva, keep your important designs and brand files saved in a second place. Watch for emails from the company about new features or plan changes.