The latest Canva Report breaks down the visual economy and how it’s shaping the way we work, collaborate and market products and services.  For marketers, this report offers invaluable insights into how design, technology, and innovation are transforming their craft. Whether you’re aiming to boost efficiency, streamline workflows, or leverage AI for better results, these takeaways from the report will help you navigate the evolving visual economy and its impact on marketing.

Visuals Have Economic Impact

Marketing with visuals isn’t just creating pretty pictures and videos. Visuals communicate ideas instantly, increasing productivity for the viewer. The viewer could be an employee, learning a new process or product. Or the viewer could be a buyer, deciding to make a purchase.

91% of business leaders surveyed in the report believe that visual communication increases efficiency, while 77% believe that visual communication increases business performance.

 We’ve all heard “a picture is worth 1,000 words”, but the Canva report effectively illustrates the visual economy – how visuals increase productivity, giving visuals real weight when it comes to economic performance. 

Design Isn’t Just for Designers

Design tools and platforms for sharing designs have become democratized, giving everyone in the workplace the ability to create and communicate visually. In fact, 92% of leaders surveyed in the report expect employees in non-design roles to have design skills and knowledge.

With the ability to create spread across every individual in your organization, design principles and brand guidelines have never been more important in keeping your brand’s design system intact. Tools like Benchmark Email’s Brand Kit can help everyone stay on the same page.

Fragmented Martech Tools Hinder Workflows

The Martech landscape has boomed over the last decade across every category, from automation to social. However, as the report points out, when tools don’t work together, it’s tough to make visual content quickly and at scale.

That’s why we introduced our Canva, Pexels and Giphy integrations to our email builder in 2024. Marketers can seamlessly add creative to their email designs from the platforms they use the most.

AI is Changing How Marketers Work

If you’re like the majority of marketers, you’re beginning to turn to AI more and more as an assistant to help you achieve results. While there are still big questions about AI’s impact on areas such as plagiarism and bias, there’s no denying its proliferation in the workplace.

How does your use of AI stack up against marketing leaders Canva surveyed in the report? 

• 50% are using AI at least once a day to create social media copy.
• 45% are using AI at least once a day to draft blog outlines.
• 43% are using AI at least once a day to draft press release outlines.

Marketing with visuals does require well-crafted copy and content to accompany it. Smart Design, Smart Content and Smart Subject Line tools native to Benchmark Email’s platform were built to give marketers a leg-up in their email marketing process. Tools that enhance – not eliminate – the marketer’s unique perspective to make their emails stand out in the inbox.

Canva’s Visual Economy Report highlights a crucial reality for marketers: visuals are no longer optional—they’re essential for success in a world where communication must be fast, clear, and impactful. By embracing democratized design tools, streamlining workflows, and integrating AI into your processes, you can elevate your marketing efforts and drive better results. As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, staying ahead means leveraging tools like Canva and Benchmark Email to create seamless, visually compelling campaigns that stand out and resonate with your audience. Start turning insights into action and make the visual economy work for you.