Reflections on an unforgettable experience
I recently had the opportunity to be part of Canva Create—an event that brought together so many brilliant creative minds from all over the world. From helping with the party the night before to attending the convention, it was honestly a dream come true. There’s something so inspiring about being in a room full of passionate people, all sharing ideas and sparking new creative energy. It’s an experience I won’t forget, and I’m so grateful for the chance to have been a part of it.
Canva Connect was a fantastic prelude to the main event. I had the chance to jump into another fun project with Meg Strouse, Lauren Ratkowski Carillo, Ryan Cox, and the awesome folks at Canva. The day before Canva Create, we worked together at the Canva Connect event, which was filled with creative energy, inspiring talks from Canva’s Design Advisory Board, and an amazing crowd.
Lauren and I got to help out with a super fun Polaroid activation that Meg brought to life for the event. Guests were so excited to snap a photo with that old-school, vintage vibe—there’s just something special about holding a real print in your hand. While Meg was out capturing the big moments as the lead photographer, Lauren and I took turns running the Polaroid station. There was a little hiccup where some of the photos weren’t turning out the way we’d hoped, but honestly, everyone was still having a blast. Lauren even offered to take pics on people’s phones if their Polaroids didn’t come out quite right, which was such a sweet touch and really kept the good vibes going. Huge thank you to Ryan Cox and Canva for letting us be part of this amazing event. It was such a fun day, and I’m so grateful to be surrounded by such creative, kind people. Can’t wait to do more of this!
We were so grateful to Canva for sponsoring the Polaroid cameras and film—it made the whole activation possible and added such a fun, nostalgic vibe to the event. This was seriously such a blast to shoot! I also learned a ton about lighting just by watching and working alongside Lauren and Meg. The three of us really worked together seamlessly—it honestly felt like the dream team. Here are a few behind-the-scenes shots from that night to give you a glimpse of the magic we captured.
It’s always so exciting to see Meg’s work go live! Her photos from the event were featured in a follow-up email thanking attendees for coming to the party, which was such a cool moment to witness. You can check out the photos she captured that night here. As always, Meg totally crushed it—her talent never stops inspiring me!
I picked up my badge the day before the event, which already had me buzzing with excitement. Then on the day of the convention, I was handed the cutest Canva tote bag as a welcome gift—it totally made my morning! The energy at the event was amazing—so many creative people in one place, all buzzing with ideas and inspiration. It felt like walking into a celebration of design, community, and creativity. There were friendly faces everywhere, cool installations, and just a really fun, welcoming vibe. Definitely one of those days that leaves you feeling inspired and grateful to be part of it all.
Meg and I had such a blast at Canva Create! We spent the day hopping between panels, checking out all the exciting activations, and even stopping by meet-and-greets. There was so much to take in, and we really soaked up every moment. From the inspiring talks to the interactive displays, it was one of those days where you just can’t help but feel energized and ready to dive into new creative projects. It was so much fun to experience it all alongside Meg—she’s such a great partner to have by your side for these kinds of events!
igniting children's curiosity in design and creativity with jessica hische
I was especially excited to see Jessica Hische, the "fairy godmother" of fonts, speak at Canva Create. I’ve always had a passion for writing children’s books, so it was incredible to hear about her 20 years of experience in storytelling, custom lettering, and design. She has such a unique way of combining creativity with storytelling, and hearing her insights was a reminder of how powerful design and words can be when they come together. It was inspiring and made me even more excited about the possibilities in my own creative journey.
The contiuum of creativity with jon batiste & guy raz
Jon Batiste’s panel was definitely one of my favorites! I loved how thoughtful and genuine his responses were to every question—it’s clear he’s not only a legendary musician but also an incredibly reflective and intentional creator. His passion for jazz and his craft really shines through in everything he does. And the best part? He actually performed during the keynote session, which was such a cool bonus. Watching him play live was such an unforgettable experience and made his talk even more impactful. He’s truly one of a kind!
Rewriting the rules: creativity, represtation & breaking barriers
This moment was truly a blessing! Cynthia Erivo flew in all the way from her performance in Texas just to join Jessica Williams for a conversation, and it was such a special experience. I’ve always admired these two incredible actresses—they’ve both broken so many barriers, and hearing them share their journeys was beyond inspiring. It was a rare and intimate look into their lives and careers, and I walked away feeling so grateful to have witnessed such a powerful discussion. They’re both trailblazers in their own right, and it was amazing to hear about the paths they’ve paved.
I honestly feel so blessed to have been part of this incredible event—from helping out at the party the night before to attending the convention itself. It was amazing to be surrounded by so many creative people from all over the world, all coming together to share ideas and inspiration. I’m beyond grateful to Meg, Ryan, and Canva for making this experience possible. It’s moments like these that remind me how lucky I am to be part of such a supportive, creative community.
Thank you for taking the time to read through my reflections from Canva Create. I’m already looking forward to the next creative adventure, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next!