Read on Twitter
I'm working on a project on Canva and LOOK AT THIS LITTLE AVACADO CHILD I FOUND.
Ok, there is also a Lion child and Banana child clearly designed by the same artist, but I have to be honest none of them hit me quite like precious little Avo kid does.
One of the things I'm doing is looking at what kind of therapeutic benefit this program could have if used for digital collage with future clients - I'm looking into this program specifically because it has a free version & can be used for collaborative projects.
Part of the question of "could this be a useful program" is this - If I asked a marginalized client - especially a multiply marginalized client - to create a collage relating to themselves... would they be able to find enough free elements in the program that represent them?
I've been pleasantly surprised actually at how much marginalized representation I've found in the free elements Canva provides - I'll add a few more examples in this thread.
Starting with disabled rep:
Continued image description that wouldn't fit in the alt text box:
The fifth element is a light skinned, masculine presenting person with a prosthetic arm. The sixth element is a group of four dark skinned feminine presenting people. The first is a wheelchair user (cont)
The fifth element is a light skinned, masculine presenting person with a prosthetic arm. The sixth element is a group of four dark skinned feminine presenting people. The first is a wheelchair user (cont)
Image description continued:
The first one is carrying a red flag and has a raised fist. The second person appears to be wearing a sari and also has a raised fist. The third person is a child, holding on to the elbow of the fourth person. (cont)
The first one is carrying a red flag and has a raised fist. The second person appears to be wearing a sari and also has a raised fist. The third person is a child, holding on to the elbow of the fourth person. (cont)
Image description continued:
The fourth person has a prosthetic leg, is carrying a red flag, and also has a raised fist.
[end image description]
The fourth person has a prosthetic leg, is carrying a red flag, and also has a raised fist.
[end image description]
There were SO MANY #Pride and LGBTQ+ and queer related elements available - SO MANY. I was floored by the variety too - not just rainbow flags & cis gay men. This is only a small portion of them and it was hard to even decide on these ones.
What's that? Looking for religious symbols?
Image description continued:
The ninth element is a brown skinned woman wearing a hijab and making the "Rosie the Riveter" pose. The tenth element is a menorah. The eleventh element is a pentagram.
[end image description]
The ninth element is a brown skinned woman wearing a hijab and making the "Rosie the Riveter" pose. The tenth element is a menorah. The eleventh element is a pentagram.
[end image description]
I feel like the above images already demonstrate that there is definitely Black & NBPoC representation even in the free elements of this program, but I've got more to show you.
Additionally, the skin tone of *every* element provided through Canva can apparently be adjusted.
Additionally, the skin tone of *every* element provided through Canva can apparently be adjusted.
Image description continued:
The seventh element is an Asian feminine presenting person. The eighth element is a fat, masculine presenting, Black person. The ninth element is a child with brown skin wearing a mango costume. The tenth element is a Black power fist.
The seventh element is an Asian feminine presenting person. The eighth element is a fat, masculine presenting, Black person. The ninth element is a child with brown skin wearing a mango costume. The tenth element is a Black power fist.
Correction on an image I described incorrectly further up the thread! https://twitter.com/triniteeny/status/1253818886421655553?s=19
Would recommend not searching just "fat" as it unfortunately does bring up fatphobic imagery.
However, though limited, there ARE some images of a range of fat bodies - I'm particularly excited by the beach-goer and the ballerina.
However, though limited, there ARE some images of a range of fat bodies - I'm particularly excited by the beach-goer and the ballerina.
Image description cont:
The sixth has light skin, straight black hair, & is wearing a crop top. The seventh has light skin, blonde hair, & is wearing a bikini. The eighth has light brown skin & purple hair. the ninth figure is a child with brown skin and afro textured black hair.
The sixth has light skin, straight black hair, & is wearing a crop top. The seventh has light skin, blonde hair, & is wearing a bikini. The eighth has light brown skin & purple hair. the ninth figure is a child with brown skin and afro textured black hair.
The child is sitting cross legged and raising their fist in the air. The tenth image is also sitting cross legged, has olive skin, and straight red hair.
[end image description]
[end image description]
Ok, I'm done with this for now. Thank you for indulging.
Oh one more thing - no there are not any neurodiversity related elements. I was able to fine a kid wearing headphones if I searched for kid listening to music. "Autism" only brought up puzzle pieces. Can't win them all. 
But you also can upload you own images which helps.
But you also can upload you own images which helps.
I suppose this is Twitter. I can directly talk to them, huh?
Hey @canva can you consider adding some neurodiversity and autism themed elements to your program that aren't just puzzle pieces (which depict us as broken things in need of being put together by other people)
Hey @canva can you consider adding some neurodiversity and autism themed elements to your program that aren't just puzzle pieces (which depict us as broken things in need of being put together by other people)
I'm really pleased by the range of diversity even in the free version of @canva but this is one thing definitely lacking!
