A new Canva “State of Visual Communication” report reveals that India’s Gen Z is rewriting workplace norms. According to the survey, 94% of young professionals in India say they do their best work visually, underscoring the growing importance of design and visual tools in professional settings.

However, a disconnect persists, while neuroscience supports the power of visual content, only 22% of organisations globally describe themselves as “design-led.” This mismatch, Canva warns, creates friction that slows productivity and weakens employee engagement.

The study, conducted with The Harris Poll and Neuro-Insight across eight countries, also found that 78% of Gen Z respondents in India believe encouragement to experiment with AI would significantly improve visual workflows. Additionally, 69% say companies should shift toward a visual-first approach to remain competitive and future-proof careers.

With four generations currently sharing workplaces, each with distinct communication preferences, inefficiencies are rising as traditional and visual styles clash.

The takeaway for leaders is clear: bridging this gap by embracing visual-first practices can not only boost efficiency and creativity but also make organisations more attractive to Gen Z talent.