Networking is a term that can make many of us shudder: bad jokes, name badges, forced or awkward conversation. But it doesn’t have to be this way...

Over the next year we’re excited to be partnering with Affinity (part of Canva) to bring you a series of IRL Networking events! Hosted at Canva’s offices in London, you can expect:

• A workshop for first-time networkers, with top tips on making connections
• Speed networking sessions with industry professionals
• Creative activities to get involved in, using Affinity
• An opportunity to ask creative career-related questions
• A swag bag, including a *free* licence for Affinity plus lots of other goodies

There’s lots of ways to get involved on the night! Here’s what we have in store...

🎤 Workshop: How to make your network, work!
If you’re new to networking, fear not. In this interactive workshop, we’ll share some top tips on networking, including how (and where) you can reach out to new contacts.

💬 Speed networking sessions
After a short ice-breaker exercise, you’ll have the chance to chat 1-1 with at least three creative industry professionals in our structured, speed networking sessions.

🎨 Inspiration station: Design your own typographic poster (all night)
With some help from Affinity, get hands on with designing your own typographic poster.

🔖 Design your own business card (all night)
Reimagine the traditional business card, and add your own unique creative flair to express your interests, skills and more.

🤩 Plus!
You won’t be leaving empty-handed... all attendees will get a free universal license for Affinity, a free virtual onboarding session, plus lots of other goodies on the night.

📍 Where?
The event will take place at the Canva offices, 33 Hoxton Square, London N1 6PB.
The nearest underground stations are Hoxton; Old Street Station and Shoreditch High Street Station.

The space is located on the ground floor. You can let us know about any access requirements in the registration form, but for any additional questions please email us at [email protected].

⏰ When?
Thursday 28 November, from 6pm to 10pm GMT.
Please note there is limited capacity, so make sure you register ASAP.

This event is open to emerging creatives – no previous experience or portfolio necessary. This includes:

• Entry-level creatives, aged 18 and over
• Students and recent graduates
• Those with 0 to 3 years’ professional creative experience

Also joining us on the night will be creatives from our Company Partners, check them all out below.

🚨 Registration
You must be at least 18 to attend. This event will take place in person at the Canva in London. While we welcome interest from those who are based elsewhere in the UK, we are unfortunately unable to cover any travel costs.

Please note: places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. All attendees must pay a £5 deposit. This is to confirm your attendance and will be fully refunded after the event.

If you weren't able to get a spot, please join our waiting list and we will let you know if any spots become available.

Launched in 2014, Affinity is an award-winning suite of professional studio-grade apps, meticulously designed for creatives by creatives, that has become a widely sought-after solution for everything from professional editorial layouts to precise, powerful photo editing and complex graphic and vector design.

In 2024, Canva, the free online visual communication and collaboration platform, trusted by over 200 million users every month, acquired Affinity as they set their sights on empowering every kind of designer, including professional creatives.

Together, Canva and Affinity are now on a mission to empower every kind of team and organisation to achieve their goals around the world. You can find out more about all things Affinity here.

Affinity is a Creative Lives in Progress Company Partner. Every year, we collaborate with like-minded brands and agencies to support our initiative and keep Creative Lives in Progress a free resource for emerging creatives. To find out more about how you can work with us, email [email protected]