WORKPLACE CULTURE
5 MINS
Design, development, and daily laughs
Design, development, and daily laughs
A year at Canvs
A year at Canvs
Poulami Chakrabarty, a Senior Design Manager at Canvs, will take you through the transformative year she had at Canvs, a place where culture, team-building, and mentorship come together to make a real difference.
Completing one year at Canvs has been a transformative experience for me. As I look back, I realize how much I've grown, both professionally and personally. The past year has been a journey filled with learning, and discovering that not all workplaces are created equal.
It's been a time of growth, increased confidence, new challenges, and yes, even the occasional ‘wow’ moment. While I'm expressing this after a year, in reality, it didn't take me this long to realize that life at Canvs is different—in the best possible way.
Here, we're all about keeping it simple, clear, and most importantly, real.
Completing one year at Canvs has been a transformative experience for me. As I look back, I realize how much I've grown, both professionally and personally. The past year has been a journey filled with learning, and discovering that not all workplaces are created equal.
It's been a time of growth, increased confidence, new challenges, and yes, even the occasional ‘wow’ moment. While I'm expressing this after a year, in reality, it didn't take me this long to realize that life at Canvs is different—in the best possible way.
Here, we're all about keeping it simple, clear, and most importantly, real.
Culture at Canvs: A refreshing contrast
Culture at Canvs: A refreshing contrast
Having worked in different environments before, I’ve genuinely brought myself to appreciate the unique culture that Canvs has established and the incredible team that has been handpicked to uphold and advance it. Previously, I encountered workplaces where processes were complicated by design. While these places emphasised that "communication is key," this often felt like a cultural misdirection rather than the norm.
Having worked in different environments before, I’ve genuinely brought myself to appreciate the unique culture that Canvs has established and the incredible team that has been handpicked to uphold and advance it. Previously, I encountered workplaces where processes were complicated by design. While these places emphasised that "communication is key," this often felt like a cultural misdirection rather than the norm.
"At Canvs, communication is open and supportive, creating a strong sense of collaboration that makes work fulfilling."
"At Canvs, communication is open and supportive, creating a strong sense of collaboration that makes work fulfilling."
Let's be real—workplace culture can sometimes feel like an episode from *House of the Dragon*. You're thrown into a new environment, forced to distinguish your friends from your rivals, and often left wondering whether that last email was a power move. But with Canvs, it's like finding your very own dragon egg—a rare gem that makes you realize you've landed in the right place.
Let's be real—workplace culture can sometimes feel like an episode from *House of the Dragon*. You're thrown into a new environment, forced to distinguish your friends from your rivals, and often left wondering whether that last email was a power move. But with Canvs, it's like finding your very own dragon egg—a rare gem that makes you realize you've landed in the right place.
Team-building: Less Kumbaya, more kickass
Team-building: Less Kumbaya, more kickass
One of the best parts of my time at Canvs has been discovering that team building isn't just about Fun Fridays and awkward icebreakers. It’s about building a strong team that works seamlessly together.
Canvs doesn't just pick people for their mad skills; they handpick personalities that resonate with the existing team and make it better. Whether it's through collaborative projects or impromptu coffee breaks that morph into brainstorming sessions, we have plenty of opportunities to connect with each other and build genuine relationships.
This sense of connection is the secret sauce that helps us tackle challenges and celebrate wins together—like a team that truly enjoys being a team!
One of the best parts of my time at Canvs has been discovering that team building isn't just about Fun Fridays and awkward icebreakers. It’s about building a strong team that works seamlessly together.
Canvs doesn't just pick people for their mad skills; they handpick personalities that resonate with the existing team and make it better. Whether it's through collaborative projects or impromptu coffee breaks that morph into brainstorming sessions, we have plenty of opportunities to connect with each other and build genuine relationships.
This sense of connection is the secret sauce that helps us tackle challenges and celebrate wins together—like a team that truly enjoys being a team!
Mentorship: More wisdom, less hovering
Mentorship: More wisdom, less hovering
When I first joined Canvs, I felt completely overwhelmed—new faces, fresh challenges, and the pressure to prove myself. But thanks to the incredible people here, I discovered the mentorship I'd always craved in the design industry. Without this team, I'm certain that navigating everything on my own would've been incredibly tough.
The best part? The support here isn't just about career growth, it's about holistic growth. Whether you need advice on design or life's curveballs, the team's always ready with a helping hand (or sometimes a much-needed reality check).
We don't have water cooler small-talk at Canvs (not just because we don't have water coolers), we have trash talk slack channels! Seriously though, we're committed to nurturing each other's professional and personal development, all with a healthy side of humour.
When I first joined Canvs, I felt completely overwhelmed—new faces, fresh challenges, and the pressure to prove myself. But thanks to the incredible people here, I discovered the mentorship I'd always craved in the design industry. Without this team, I'm certain that navigating everything on my own would've been incredibly tough.
The best part? The support here isn't just about career growth, it's about holistic growth. Whether you need advice on design or life's curveballs, the team's always ready with a helping hand (or sometimes a much-needed reality check).
We don't have water cooler small-talk at Canvs (not just because we don't have water coolers), we have trash talk slack channels! Seriously though, we're committed to nurturing each other's professional and personal development, all with a healthy side of humour.
Feedback: Conversation, not critique
Feedback: Conversation, not critique
Let's be real: feedback in most workplaces feels like a "brace yourself" moment, with review meetings akin to a scary rollercoaster ride. When I had my first review at Canvs, I steeled myself for the worst, expecting a litany of my shortcomings to be read back to me.
Let's be real: feedback in most workplaces feels like a "brace yourself" moment, with review meetings akin to a scary rollercoaster ride. When I had my first review at Canvs, I steeled myself for the worst, expecting a litany of my shortcomings to be read back to me.
"But the feedback I got was all about growth, and focusing on your potential as well as your achievements."
"But the feedback I got was all about growth, and focusing on your potential as well as your achievements."
Here, the emphasis is on how you can improve, not just what you might be doing wrong. The feedback that you receive is constructive, productive, and genuinely helpful. It's like being handed a map when you're lost, rather than just being told you took a wrong turn. You leave with clear insights on how to improve, and the roadmap to get there.
Here, the emphasis is on how you can improve, not just what you might be doing wrong. The feedback that you receive is constructive, productive, and genuinely helpful. It's like being handed a map when you're lost, rather than just being told you took a wrong turn. You leave with clear insights on how to improve, and the roadmap to get there.
Soft skills: Ninja upgrade
Soft skills: Ninja upgrade
In a year, I've gone from being a communication rookie to being something of a ninja. My ability to express ideas clearly, manage relationships, and collaborate with diverse teams has levelled up significantly.
Now, I can confidently defend my designs without breaking a sweat. And let’s not forget the confidence boost working here has given me—I’ve learned to trust my instincts, take initiative, and face challenges head-on. Who knew that honing these soft skills could turn you into a warrior for your work?
In a year, I've gone from being a communication rookie to being something of a ninja. My ability to express ideas clearly, manage relationships, and collaborate with diverse teams has levelled up significantly.
Now, I can confidently defend my designs without breaking a sweat. And let’s not forget the confidence boost working here has given me—I’ve learned to trust my instincts, take initiative, and face challenges head-on. Who knew that honing these soft skills could turn you into a warrior for your work?
Being in the right place
Being in the right place
Many organizations often claim to be "family," but fall short of actual meaningful support. Here is where Canvs truly stands out for me. It's not just talk here—employee well-being *is* a genuine priority.
Through supportive feedback, plenty of growth opportunities, or through knowing that someone has your back, Canvs exemplifies that actions speak louder than words.
Sometimes, you need to be in the right place with the right people to realize you're not just doing well—you're absolutely crushing it. For me, that place is Canvs, where I've not only found my footing, but also the confidence to soar.
Many organizations often claim to be "family," but fall short of actual meaningful support. Here is where Canvs truly stands out for me. It's not just talk here—employee well-being *is* a genuine priority.
Through supportive feedback, plenty of growth opportunities, or through knowing that someone has your back, Canvs exemplifies that actions speak louder than words.
Sometimes, you need to be in the right place with the right people to realize you're not just doing well—you're absolutely crushing it. For me, that place is Canvs, where I've not only found my footing, but also the confidence to soar.
Canvs is an interface design and engineering studio based in Mumbai, India. We are group design partners to some of India’s market leaders in Banking and Finance and have been around since 2016.