Canva's Clever OOH Campaign: When "Design Mistakes" Make Headlines
- Studio318
- Jun 23
- 1 min read
Canva recently reminded the creative industry just how powerful OOH (Out-of-Home) advertising can still be—and they did it in the most Canva way possible: with humor, bold visuals, and a wink to every designer's inside joke.
In collaboration with their new creative agency, Stink Studios, Canva launched a playful billboard campaign across London’s Waterloo station. They transformed all 14 billboards into giant, real-life mock-ups of common design feedback. Think: “Make the logo bigger,” or “Wasn’t it supposed to be 9:16?” The result? A tongue-in-cheek celebration of Canva’s own design tools—especially its Magic Resize function.
This wasn’t just a funny concept. It was a smart brand play. By turning everyday creative frustrations into oversized public jokes, Canva managed to:
Showcase their product in action
Emphasize their brand voice and personality
Generate massive attention on- and offline
As Tom Carey, Canva’s Creative Director Europe, put it: “This is all about showing the power of Canva with a touch of our playful spirit and a dash of British tongue-in-cheek humour.”
This campaign isn’t just a marketing win; it’s a case study in how to leverage relatability, creativity, and a solid product feature all at once.
Why It Matters for Marketers
Relatability sells. Canva tapped into shared creative struggles to bond with their audience.
Product-led storytelling works. They didn’t just promote Magic Resize—they showed it.
OOH isn’t dead. When done right, it’s unforgettable.
It’s a fresh reminder that the best creative ideas often come from the simplest insights.
Looking for content strategies that blend creativity with clarity? Studio318 can help you turn everyday value into standout digital presence.
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