The CANVA trap: why your brand feels off and what to do about it
Let’s get one thing straight: I like Canva.
It’s a great tool. I’ve used it. You’ve used it. Your aunt used it to make the church bake sale flyer.
But if your brand is starting to feel like it’s wearing someone else’s clothes—stiff, mismatched, just... off?
That’s the Canva Trap.
What’s the Canva Trap?
It’s when you rely on pre-made templates to do the job of a brand strategy. Templates were made to be quick, easy, and generic. That’s their whole appeal. But that also means they weren’t designed with your goals, your audience, or your brand story in mind. So when you try to plug your business into them, the vibe is off.
Suddenly your Instagram grid looks like 12 different people made it. Your pitch deck feels like a summer intern designed it (and then quit). And you’re stuck wondering why nothing looks right.
It’s not you. It’s the template.
Templates are tools. But tools without strategy? That’s how you end up with a visual identity that kinda-sorta works... until it doesn’t.
Design is about communication. Great design is about strategic, consistent, intentional communication. And your business deserves that.
So what’s the fix?
Here’s what we’re not going to do:
Keep duct-taping your brand together with trending fonts and whatever color palette is hot this week.
Instead:
I start with strategy: Who are you? What do you stand for? What drives you bonkers about your industry?
I define your visual identity with purpose: Fonts, colors, tone of voice, patterns—everything strategically aligned to support your business goals.
I create brand guidelines for you—so you still have that Canva ease, but with no second-guessing yourself.
Yes, Canva is still on the table. But now, you’re driving.
Need help escaping the TEMPLATE Trap?
I’ve got you. If your brand feels like it’s stuck in limbo, let’s fix it. I’ll help you go from “meh” to “hell yes” with design that finally feels like you.