Canva, the Australian online graphic design and multimedia company, is marking its 10th anniversary with a significant update to its AI features. The platform, widely used by media organizations worldwide, is introducing a new generative video tool through a partnership with AI video startup Runway ML. This update, known as the Magic Studio, includes various AI-powered features that aim to enhance the design experience for Canva users.
Magic Media: Transforming Text and Images into Video
One of the standout features of the Magic Studio is Magic Media. Users can now simply enter text into a field or upload a still image, and Canva’s integration with Runway ML will generate up to 18 seconds of video based on the provided content. Text-based videos are created using the words provided, while still image-based videos apply motion and camera movement to the uploaded image. This innovative feature allows office workers without design training or access to professional design tools the ability to create engaging video content.
“We believe that AI has incredible potential to supercharge the 99% of office workers who don’t have design training or access to professional design tools.”
– Cameron Adams, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Canva
This partnership between Canva and Runway ML promises to revolutionize the way people tell stories and design content. By harnessing the power of deep learning techniques, Canva aims to empower its users to create stunning visuals and incorporate video into their designs.
“We believe that deep learning techniques applied to audiovisual content will forever change art, creativity, and design tools. This partnership is an exciting step toward furthering that mission by putting Gen-2 into the hands of Canva users so they can add the power of video to their designs.”
– Cristóbal Valenzuela, Co-founder and CEO of Runway ML
The All-in-One AI Design Platform
In addition to Magic Media, Magic Studio introduces nine other major AI features, making it the first all-in-one AI design platform in the market. These features build upon Canva’s existing AI-powered tools and provide users with even more functionality and creative possibilities.
“Magic Studio is the first all-in-one AI design platform in the market.”
– Cameron Adams, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Canva
- Magic Switch: A one-click solution for creating multiple assets from a single design, such as turning a presentation into an executive summary or transforming a whiteboard of ideas into a blog post. It also supports multilingual translations.
- Magic Design: Allows users to start with a text prompt or still image and generate unique designs and color schemes tailored to their brand.
- Brand Voice: AI-powered writing and design features that follow brand guidelines, including tone-of-voice and color schemes, ensuring consistent branding across all media generated on Canva.
- Text-to-Image with Multiple Styles: Provides a wide range of options in different major art styles when generating images from text.
- Magic Morph: Enables users to customize lettering and shapes, adding effects like shine, puffiness, or 3D elements.
- Magic Grab: An auto-object selector that isolates different objects within an image, allowing users to easily rearrange elements.
- Magic Expand: AI-powered capability to expand the area of photos and images, creating a visually appealing result.
- New AI Apps on Canva’s Apps Marketplace: Selected third-party AI companies can now offer their apps through Canva’s online storefront.
- Canva Shield: A collection of safety, privacy, and security controls designed for enterprise users, providing additional peace of mind when working with AI-generated content.
With these new features, Canva aims to cater to the growing demand for AI-powered design tools and simplify the design process for both individuals and businesses.
Creator Compensation Program
In addition to the Magic Studio updates, Canva is introducing the Creator Compensation Program. This program involves a $200 million fund that will pay Canva creators who consent to having their content used to train the company’s proprietary AI models. This initiative recognizes the valuable contributions of creators and provides them with an opportunity to contribute to the development of AI-powered design tools.
Canva’s investment in AI has been highly successful, with a significant increase in monthly active users and paid subscribers. The Magic Studio features are now available to all Canva paying subscribers, further expanding the capabilities and accessibility of the platform.
