Canva Hosts ESCP Business School Students for Co-Created AI Workshop
Developed in collaboration with ESCP, this was Canva’s first co-created university event in their newest event space, the Bersey.
The visual economy has become a core element of today's digital landscape. In fact, 77% of global business leaders reported that visual communication enhanced their business performance in addition to improving idea articulation and team efficiency.
Additionally, with the rise of Generative AI, four out of five leaders now use AI for visual content creation, and 70% report enhanced creativity and productivity.
To explore these trends and gain hands-on insights into the digital economy, students from ESCP Business School's MSc in Marketing & Creativity (MMK) visited Canva's EMEA headquarters in London on Friday, 9 May. This collaboration with ESCP has since inspired Canva to roll out similar programmes with other institutions in the UK.
Visiting the Canva offices was an incredible opportunity for our MSc in Creativity & Marketing students to gain real-world insights into the future of creative technology. Hearing from Canva's EMEA lead Duncan Clark about Canva’s journey and vision was truly inspiring, and the hands-on workshops gave our students a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the creative industries. It was also a valuable moment for the students to receive career advice directly from professionals at the forefront of innovation.
Prof. Chloe PreeceProfessor of Marketing and Academic Director of MSc in Marketing & Creativity at ESCP Business School
AI Tools for Empowering Creativity and Personal Branding
During the visit, students explored how AI is reshaping the creative industries in the UK and beyond, not by replacing human creativity, but rather by enhancing it.
The agenda included live demonstrations of Canva’s AI features led by Megan Possamai, Enablement Manager, and Jessica Edwards, Creative Technologist. Students explored tools such as Magic Write, Whiteboard, Canva Sheets, and a built-in recording function, gaining insight into how these can be applied to personal branding, storytelling, academic presentations, and job applications.
The day concluded with a career planning session led by Petia Maximova, who shared her personal non-linear career journey. She encouraged students to define career goals based on their ideal lifestyle and values, and focus on skills that align with long-term growth to succeed in the rapidly evolving job market.
At Canva, we believe education is the most powerful tool we have to unlock human potential. By making design accessible and intuitive, we're empowering universities around the world to communicate their ideas with confidence, creativity, and impact.
Petia MaximovaHead of Higher Education Sales EMEA at Canva
This experience taught me the importance of staying entrepreneurial in your career, always thinking creatively, staying true to your values, and shaping a vision for the life you want. The session really helped me reflect on how to approach my career with purpose and innovation.
Soehee LeeMSc in Marketing & Creativity student at ESCP Business School
Navigating the Future of Work
As the lines between creativity and technology are becoming increasingly blurred, industries demand professionals who can combine creative thinking with a tech-driven, analytical mindset. This shift is transforming the role of creative professionals, making it essential to know how to strategically use AI and other tech tools to amplify creativity and drive value for all stakeholders.
There is no doubt that the future of work requires individuals to be increasingly adaptable, innovative, and technically savvy. The role of educators and programmes like the MSc in Marketing & Creativity is to equip the next generation of professionals with the diverse and often ambidextrous skill sets needed to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected business landscape.
The initiative reflects ESCP’s continued commitment to pioneering industry engagement and innovation in marketing education. To learn more about the MSc in Marketing & Creativity, please visit: escp.eu/mmk
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