Is Canva's new acquisition a secret blessing for motion designers?
Creative Bloq
by Natalie Fear February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Canva's recent acquisition of Cavalry, a motion and animation software company, along with AI video generator MangoAI, marks a significant step in its quest to build a comprehensive creative platform that challenges industry giants like Adobe. This move enhances Canva's professional design suite, particularly in 2D animation, by streamlining workflows and reducing reliance on multiple fragmented tools. Cavalry's integration is expected to make motion design more accessible and efficient for professionals, aligning with Canva's long-term vision of offering a powerful yet user-friendly creative stack.
The acquisition follows Canva's recent string of purchases, including Affinity and Leonardo in 2024 and MagicBrief in 2025. These moves highlight Canva's ambition to create an all-in-one solution for designers, from vector graphics to motion design. Cavalry's co-founder, Chris Hardcastle, emphasizes that the integration will redefine motion design by offering smarter workflows and greater accessibility, while preserving the powerful features that make Cavalry a standout tool among professionals.
Ben Drake, creative director at Pennant Video, expresses optimism about the acquisition, noting the long-standing dominance of Adobe in the creative workflow. He praises Cavalry for its intuitive design and efficiency, hoping the integration with Canva will accelerate development without compromising the tool's strength. This shift could democratize motion design, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
For designers, this news is significant as it signals a potential shift away from Adobe's dominance. Canva's growing creative stack offers an alternative that combines accessibility with advanced features, fostering innovation and competition in the design industry. As Canva continues to expand its capabilities, it may set new standards for design tools, influencing future trends in creativity and technology.
In summary, Canva's acquisition of Cavalry and MangoAI represents a bold move to enhance its creative platform, offering professionals more powerful and accessible tools. This development not only challenges Adobe but also opens new possibilities for motion designers, potentially reshaping the industry landscape. For anyone interested in design and innovation, this is a compelling shift worth keeping an eye on.
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Originally published on Creative Bloq on 2/26/2026