The ‘real’ designer debate: Why it’s missing the point

A social media post by a marketing agency criticized Canva users as not being "real" designers, igniting a debate on the legitimacy of design tools like Canva compared to more advanced software such as Figma, Photoshop, and Illustrator. The post highlights the tension between traditional design tools, which are often preferred in job postings, and more accessible tools like Canva, which allow individuals without formal training to produce effective designs. The debate reflects broader industry trends where technology evolves and disrupts established norms, challenging the idea that expertise is tied to the complexity of tools used. This discussion parallels the experiences of non-traditional developers who face similar elitism regarding the tools they use. Ultimately, the focus should be on the effectiveness of the design in communication and problem-solving rather than the tools employed to create it, as non-traditional tools offer accessibility without compromising creativity and functionality.