Canva Suggests Nationwide Design Competition for PIA Rebranding
Canva has proposed organizing a nationwide design competition to help develop a fresh visual identity for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
The proposal was shared by Ahmed Iqbal, Canva’s General Manager for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, in a recent LinkedIn post.
Proposal Includes New Logo and Brand Identity
According to the proposal, Canva is interested in discussing the initiative with PIA’s management.
The suggested competition would invite creative professionals and design enthusiasts from across Pakistan to contribute ideas for:
- A redesigned PIA logo
- A refreshed brand identity
- New aircraft livery concepts
- A marketing campaign for the airline’s relaunch
Canva also expressed its willingness to sponsor the competition and offer prize money to winning participants.
Encouraging Local Creative Talent
Ahmed Iqbal said the initiative could provide an opportunity to showcase Pakistan’s creative talent while exploring a modern visual identity for the national airline.
To illustrate the concept, he shared sample aircraft designs inspired by traditional Ajrak patterns. The images were created using Canva’s design tools as examples of what a refreshed branding direction could look like.
He noted that the examples were intended as concept artwork and suggested that a nationwide competition could produce a wide range of creative ideas from professional designers and aspiring artists.
Online Response
The proposal received a variety of reactions on LinkedIn.
Many users welcomed the idea of involving the public in a potential rebranding exercise and appreciated the focus on local creativity.
Others highlighted practical considerations commonly discussed in the aviation industry, including the preference of many airlines for predominantly white aircraft, citing factors such as maintenance efficiency and heat management.
No Official Decision Yet
At the time of publication, PIA has not announced any official decision regarding the proposed design competition.
If the initiative moves forward, it could provide designers from across Pakistan with an opportunity to contribute ideas for the future branding of the country’s national airline.
