Templates, taste, and the thin line between good and generic

When Canva attacks

Let's be honest.

We've all been there.

The deadline was tight.

The budget was tighter.

And Canva — fast, free, easy-to-use Canva — looked like a gift from the communication gods.

One hour later, the post is live.

The presentation is done.

The flyer is "okay".

And just like that…

Another drop of identity is lost.

The rise of the Great Template Temptation

Canva (and tools like it) has democratised design — no doubt about it.

It empowers communication teams to produce fast, good-enough content without waiting for an agency or a designer.

It's beneficial for EU associations juggling multiple priorities with limited time and resources.

It helps do more with less.

It works.

But here's the twist:

When everything looks like a template, nothing looks like you.

Because Canva doesn't know your voice.

It doesn't understand your strategy.

It doesn't speak your stakeholders' language — it says the default.

And default is the enemy of distinction.

The problem isn't Canva. It's the absence of design thinking.

Let's make one thing clear: Canva isn't the villain here.

It's just a tool.

A very effective one — when used well.

The real issue is when tools replace intent.

When a visual is "good enough" because it looks professional, but no one asks: "Does it reflect our identity?", "Is it part of a broader narrative?", or "Will our audience recognise us instantly?"

Templates are like ready-made suits.

They fit fast.

They're inexpensive.

But they were not cut for you.

And when you wear them every day, you start looking like everyone else at the Brussels communications conference.

From DIY to DYS: Design Your Strategy

So what's the alternative?

No, we're not saying every social media tile needs a 6-hour design sprint and a branding bible.

But suppose your association wants to be seen, trusted, and remembered. In that case, visuals must be part of your strategic toolkit, not just your production routine.

Here's what we mean by that:

• Establish a flexible visual system, not just a logo and colours. A system you can play with — even inside Canva.

• Define your tone visually: are you bold? Inclusive? Serious? Forward-looking? How do those values translate into typography, layout, and photography?

• Train your team on design literacy — not to become designers, but to make better choices. Templates don't guide taste. People do.

• Create branded templates with intention, not by default. Start from your brand, not the "Top 10 Trending Layouts".

• Review your output regularly. Just because something performs doesn't mean it represents you well.

Looking good ≠ Looking right

In communication, we often confuse looking professional with looking credible.

But true credibility comes from consistency, coherence, and craft.

And taste — yes, taste — still matters in a world of instant content.

The truth is: design isn't decoration.

It's direction.

It shapes how people feel about your association before they've read a word.

So if everything you publish starts looking more like Canva and less like you,

maybe it's time to pause and ask:

Who are we, visually?

And how can we make our identity unmistakable — even in a world of shortcuts?

🟡 At #inextremis, we help EU associations go beyond the template, crafting visual systems and communication tools that reflect who you are — not just what you do.

Let's talk about taste, structure, and strategy.