Ellianna Braddick

Ever felt like it’s impossible to land a creative job outside a big city – especially your first one? Based in North Devon, Ellianna Braddick has proved it can be done, securing a role as Junior Creative at Canva and showing that great ideas aren’t limited by location. What started with DIY student shoots has grown into a full-time role, where Ellianna now helps bring ideas to life for a global audience. Here, she reflects on landing her job straight out of university, what life at Canva is really like and how dyslexia has shaped her creative process.

What I do

How would you describe what you do?
I’m a Junior Creative at Canva, the global visual communication platform. I create video content showcasing the Canva product, promoted across various platforms. My role includes brainstorming ideas for campaigns and events, designing engaging visuals, shaping concepts and developing ideas for influencers to bring Canva to life. I collaborate closely with our in-house creative team to produce content that inspires people to explore everything they can create with Canva.

Ellianna in the Canva office

Would you say you need any specific training for what you do?
I don’t think formal training is essential to be a Junior Creative, but you do need passion, imagination and the confidence to think differently. I’ve always been more creative than academic; exams were never my strength, but I see my dyslexia as a superpower. It helps me think in unique ways, make unexpected connections, and come up with ideas that are truly outside the box.

That said, my studies definitely helped shape my creativity. Studying Media at A-Level and later Creative Advertising at Falmouth University taught me how to refine my ideas, express them visually, and turn raw creativity into well-executed concepts.

What does a normal day-to-day usually look like for you?
My day usually starts with a morning run and a good coffee, before joining a team meeting to catch up on projects and plan what’s ahead. Then I dive into briefs: brainstorming ideas, designing visuals, and creating content for upcoming campaigns. I’m lucky to work with an amazing creative team, and together we come up with fresh concepts that grab attention and inspire people to use Canva.

We’ve just launched our Canva UK social account, so we’ve been working closely on content for that channel, which is exciting. One of the best parts of working at Canva is the flexible work culture. It gives me the freedom to balance creativity and collaboration while still making time for life outside of work. When the day wraps up, I like to unwind, whether that’s meeting friends, hitting the gym or athletics training, or helping out at my family’s pub.

What’s been the most exciting part of working at Canva so far?
One of the most exciting parts of working at Canva has been visiting the London office and meeting the team in person. My first visit happened to be the week we launched our latest UK brand campaign ‘Really Really Good Design’, where we had fun internally celebrating the new ad. I’ve only been to London a few times, so seeing the space and feeling the buzz of a global tech brand in action was something I’ll never forget.

What makes Canva so special to me is how it blends the scale of a global platform with a deep appreciation for local creativity. We’re creating content that reaches millions of people and businesses around the world – helping anyone, from small business owners to global brands, communicate visually and tell their stories. Yet Canva still celebrates individuality, community and culture at every level.

Working alongside such talented, passionate people, like the amazing creative team Tom Carey brought together, has been an absolute privilege.

If there was a starter pack for your job, what would be on it?

How I got here

What was your journey like when you were first starting out? Did you find your feet quickly?
My journey into the creative world has been a whirlwind. I’m dyslexic, and while school was always a challenge academically, creativity was where I found my confidence. I was constantly making videos and coming up with ideas to promote small businesses. After studying Media at A-Level, I realised I wanted to turn that passion into a career.

I took a year out to run social media for my family’s business, gaining hands-on experience creating content and connecting with audiences. Later, studying Creative Advertising at Falmouth University changed everything. Alongside my teammates, I created the “Give Up Doomscrolling” campaign, which won a D&AD Wooden Pencil – one of my proudest moments.

Visiting London to showcase my work was unforgettable. I presented my “Grab the Coldest Crunch” campaign – crisp packets stored in fridges to grab attention – and that’s where I met Tom Carey, Canva’s Creative Director for Europe. I offered him one of my cold crisps without realising who he was! He loved the idea, and a few weeks later invited me to interview with him and Canva’s Social Lead for a role that had just gone live. I shared my work, and to my surprise, they offered me a place on the team during that very meeting.

Every day, I feel grateful to be part of such an inspiring global team – it’s been the most exciting start to my career, and it’s only the beginning.

You landed your first job straight out of university – what was that like?
Landing my first job straight out of university was a mix of excitement, pride, and nerves. It felt incredible, but stepping into something so new was definitely a learning curve: getting used to new processes, managing deadlines, and finding my confidence in a fast-paced creative environment.

Coming straight from uni, I wanted to prove myself. I threw everything into learning – staying up late mastering video editing on Canva and completing design courses to build my skills. I wanted to show the team they’d made the right choice, and that drive pushed me to keep improving and surprising myself with what I could create.

Those first few weeks were challenging but turned into rapid growth. I’ve learned so much – not just about creativity and design, but about believing in myself and trusting my instincts. Seeing my work come to life for a brand like Canva still feels surreal. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and even prouder to turn what once felt like a challenge – my dyslexia – into one of my biggest strengths.

How has working remotely from Devon shaped your experience starting out?
I’ve loved starting my career remotely. Westward Ho! is such a beautiful place to live, and being close to my family means a lot to me. Working from here has taught me focus, discipline, and how to manage my time effectively, all while staying deeply connected to the amazing Canva team.

The flexibility has been one of the best parts. I can work creatively from home, take a walk by the beach to recharge, and still help out at our family-run pub on weekends. It’s the perfect balance of productivity and wellbeing.

What’s surprised me most is how connected I still feel, even from miles away. Canva’s culture makes collaboration effortless – it’s a global tech brand that celebrates local creativity and individuality. I can definitely see myself moving to London one day, but for now, being based by the coast feels exactly right.

What was it like navigating the industry without being based in London?
Starting my creative career outside of London has been eye-opening. I used to think being in the city was essential for building connections and finding opportunities, but working remotely completely changed that. It’s shown me that creativity and collaboration can happen anywhere – all you really need is passion, initiative, and the right mindset.

At first, it was challenging to build confidence without being surrounded by other creatives every day, but it pushed me to be proactive: to reach out, ask questions, and stay connected and inspired from wherever I am. The best part has been the independence and adaptability I’ve gained. I’ve learned to trust my ideas, manage my time, and make things happen from a distance.

It’s proven that you don’t have to be in London to grow or make an impact – with the right team and attitude, you can thrive from anywhere.

Ellianna with her D&AD pencil

What has been your biggest challenge along the way?
My biggest challenge has been starting my first creative role and adjusting to everything that comes with it. At first, it was a bit overwhelming – creating videos to tight deadlines, juggling multiple briefs, and making sure everything went live on time. It took some trial and error to find my rhythm and understand how all the moving parts fit together.

Another challenge I faced was managing the administrative side – ensuring each video was properly prepared, uploaded and tested before going live; adding all the correct names; organising spreadsheets; and linking editing files. This process taught me how much attention to detail goes into every project. It was tough at first, but incredibly rewarding.

What are three things that you’ve found useful to your work or career, and why?

My advice

What’s the best career-related advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received came from my dad. He told me to keep smiling, keep pushing through, and trust that I’ll get there no matter how tough things might feel at times. He’s always reminded me not to worry about what other people think and to just be myself.

That advice has really stayed with me, especially as I’ve started my career. My parents are my biggest role models; they’ve always shown me the importance of hard work and staying grounded. My mum, in particular, has been my biggest supporter, and I don’t think I’d be where I am today without her constant guidance, encouragement and belief in me.

Ellianna's portfolio

What would you say to other grads or emerging creatives who aren’t based in London but want to get into the industry?
I’d say don’t let not being in London hold you back. There are so many ways to get your work noticed: enter creative competitions, attend networking events, and find opportunities to share your ideas and connect with people in the industry.

Keep your portfolio clear and focused, with around six strong pieces you’re genuinely proud of that show your range and creativity. Try to make your projects feel dynamic and interactive where you can, it really helps your work stand out.

And don’t be afraid of your bold, unconventional ideas, they’re often the ones that make people stop and pay attention. Be confident in what makes your work unique, keep learning, and stay consistent. You don’t have to be in London to make an impact; passion and persistence go a long way.

And for someone nervous about entering their first role straight out of uni?
Be confident and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Starting your first job straight out of uni can feel intimidating and a bit overwhelming, but that’s completely normal. Take things one day at a time and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get everything right straight away.

When I first started, I really wanted to impress everyone, but I had to remind myself that it’s okay to be new – no one expects you to know everything on day one. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I’ve had to learn not to be so hard on myself. You’re there to learn, find your rhythm and figure things out as you go, and that’s all part of it.