20 Jan 2025
Visual content is no longer just an enhancement—it’s a necessity. With short attention spans and intense competition for engagement, visuals have become critical to effective communication. Canva’s Visual Economy Report sheds light on this evolution.
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Visual communication has become an integral part of marketing in 2025, shaping how businesses convey ideas, engage with audiences and foster collaboration. Canva’s 2024 Visual Economy Report sheds light on this evolution, offering marketers valuable insights into leveraging visuals to boost efficiency and impact. Let’s dive into the key takeaways and what they mean for marketers today.
Visual content is no longer just an enhancement—it’s a necessity. With short attention spans and intense competition for engagement, visuals have become critical to effective communication. According to Canva’s research, 91% of business leaders agree that visuals enhance workplace efficiency, and 77% believe they directly improve business performance.
The growing reliance on visuals has led companies to increase investments in tools that enable the creation of engaging content. In fact, 73% of businesses boosted their budgets for visual communication platforms in the past year. From presentations to social media assets, visuals are now central to building connections, articulating ideas, and solidifying brand identity.
Design is no longer the exclusive domain of professionals. Today, businesses expect employees across all roles to have a basic understanding of design. Canva’s report highlights that 92% of business leaders believe non-designers should have some level of design proficiency. This expectation has been made achievable by intuitive platforms like Canva, enabling anyone to produce polished, professional content.
The importance of design literacy is evident in the workforce. Over 1.7 million professionals now list Canva as a core skill on LinkedIn—a figure that has grown by 80% in the last year. To meet this demand, 63% of organisations are offering training to enhance employees’ visual communication skills. By equipping teams with these abilities, businesses can streamline workflows and maintain high-quality output across departments.
Artificial intelligence is playing a transformative role in visual communication. By automating repetitive tasks, AI tools free up marketers to focus on creativity and strategy. Canva’s report reveals that 82% of business leaders used AI-powered tools for visual content creation last year, showcasing the technology’s growing influence.
Marketers are incorporating AI into their workflows in several ways:
AI complements human creativity by taking care of the groundwork, allowing marketers to invest more energy into innovative campaigns. However, it’s essential to use AI responsibly, ensuring authenticity and alignment with the brand’s voice.
The benefits of visual communication extend beyond marketing, influencing functions across the workplace. Canva’s findings reveal:
These statistics underscore the tangible impact of visual tools on productivity and collaboration. With 90% of organisations reporting a positive return on investment (ROI) from visual communication platforms, the value of these tools is undeniable.
As visuals become ubiquitous, maintaining brand consistency across teams has become more important than ever. Tools like Canva’s Brand Kit help organisations standardise design elements, ensuring every piece of content aligns with brand guidelines. This is particularly valuable when multiple teams contribute to content creation.
To support this consistency, 68% of companies are now training employees outside traditional design roles to meet baseline design standards. This not only enhances efficiency but also strengthens brand messaging and identity.
Canva’s Visual Economy Report confirms that visual-first communication is the way forward. For marketers, thriving in this landscape requires a proactive approach. Here are some actionable steps:
The importance of visuals in communication is only set to grow. From simplifying complex concepts to enhancing audience engagement, visuals have the power to transform how businesses connect with their stakeholders. Marketers who embrace this shift will be better equipped to stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape.
By adopting advanced tools, fostering design skills, and integrating AI responsibly, marketers can create compelling campaigns that resonate with their audience. Visual storytelling is no longer a supplementary tactic—it’s a cornerstone of successful communication. As the workplace continues to evolve, those who prioritise visual content will lead the way in shaping the future of marketing.
If you're looking for help in boosting your business visual communication, browse our top Graphic Designers, Marketing Strategists and Brand Experts available to hire through Cemoh.
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