Testimonials

I had a vision for my professional website different than the usual. Ms. Sawai not only helped me to implement that vision in an engaging way that conveyed my capabilities, but she also suggested many improvements to my plan. Her work in graphic design is outstanding!
-Dr. Chris Dede, Senior Research Fellow, Harvard Graduate School of Education

From the very first meeting, it was a very collaborative process to work with Ms. Sawai. Smita seamlessly incorporated Saamarthya’s branding elements, creating a cohesive and visually appealing narrative. The use of color, imagery, and layout was aesthetically pleasing and thoughtfully aligned with our cause's mission. Her keen attention to detail ensured that every visual element reinforced our commitment to empathy, understanding, and inclusivity.

Smita has the ability to infuse creativity with functionality. The annual report she created serves as a beautiful showcase of our accomplishments and as a practical tool for donors, stakeholders, and the community. Throughout the collaborative process, Smita exhibited exceptional professionalism, meeting deadlines with precision and maintaining open lines of communication. Her receptiveness to feedback and commitment to refining details until perfection was achieved reflects a true passion for her craft and a genuine investment in our cause.

Smita has played a pivotal role in articulating the heart and soul of our organization through her exceptional design work. We are profoundly grateful for her invaluable contribution in amplifying our message and making a lasting impact on those we serve.
-Dr. Shivani Pandit, Founder-CEO, Saamarthya Foundation

I have worked with Smita Sawai on multiple projects small and large for various social, cultural, and religious not-for-profit organizations that I am involved with.  I have found Smita to be very conscientious and responsive to the timing and needs of the project.  Her creativity, innovativeness, and eye for designs appropriate to the goals of the project and organization are excellent.  It is evident in each of her project no matter whether it is a one-page poster, an event brochure, or a larger book.  Most recently, she helped with the branding, concept, design, layout, and print coordination for a 64-page commemorative book for a multi-day event at the Bharatiya Temple of Lansing.  She professionally completed the project on time and within budget while being responsive and flexible to the many demands placed on her.  She remained open and accommodated suggestions while ensuring the integrity of the overall design and goals of the commemorative book.  The resulting product is reflective of her talent, dedication, and love for her art. 
-Pratin Trivedi, Project Coordinator, Bharatiya Temple of Lansing

Smita was wonderful in listening to my needs and delivering results. She was very clear about her timelines and oftened delivered early. She listened to my needs and made the necessary revisions quickly and within my budget. The graphics turned out great and I am really happy with the final product.
-Mayra S. Artiles, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Engineering, Arizona State University

It was wonderful working with Smita Sawai, the founder of avani-design to develop a visual identity for my research group. I was impressed by Smita's creative talent and by her willingness to engage with my research group to create a visual identity which we could all embrace and call our own. The visual has been a great hit at conference presentations and has caught the admiring eyes of others in our college. Thank you Smita!!
-Dr. Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, Director, Faculty Mentoring and Retention, College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University

Over the past two years our team has collaborated with Smita Sawai on numerous projects – including the design of graphic models, informational brochures, worksheets, and the packaging and design of a beautiful card deck. Smita’s eye for design, knowledge of best practices, ability to graphically communicate complex ideas, and attention to detail have resulted in products that are visually engaging, accessible, and unique. Smita has the gift of working within brand guidelines while creating designs that feel fresh and individualized. She is a true partner in the process, communicating effectively with stakeholders throughout the project, offering ideas and suggestions, and holding everything that is produced to the highest standards. These gifts all result in beautiful work and sustainable designs that both stand on their own and are cohesive as a greater whole. And to top it off, she is a kind human and a joy to work with!
-Cristy Guleserian, Director, Principled Innovation, Arizona State University

Smita Sawai worked on our Bigger than Boxing exhibition at the Chandler museum. She was easy to work with and very efficient. Working on panels for a history exhibition can be a laborious and sometimes tedious process, but Smita worked diligently to make sure she delivered on the perfect aesthetic for each panel. Her design abilities to bring the 1960s and 70s aesthetics to the exhibition was impressive and was greatly appreciated by everyone. She was also incredibly patient with our team and worked tirelessly to ensure that all the panels were done on or ahead of their respective deadlines.
-Jillian Nakornthap, Curator of Education, Chandler Museum

I worked with Smita for the first time on info-graphics for my proposal and she delivered outstanding scientific graphics for my research. Not only she researched the topic and presented multiple options, she was able to convey my ideas in a simple yet visually engaging graphics. She was easy to work with and she delivered my graphics in time to submit my proposal.  I would certainly recommend her to my colleagues. Thank you Smita!
-Dr. Jae-sun, Arizona State University

My name is Gabriel and I approached Smita from Avani-Design, because I was starting my own local business. Smita helped me in creating the overall design and branding of my business including the logo, business cards, apparel design, and my very own website! The results were truly intriguing! One thing I liked was the way, she created my website at an affordable price! All the components of marketing and branding were brought together beautifully and coherently. I found the experience to be very professional and would recommend Smita from Avani-Design to anyone who is starting their journey as a businessperson and needs professional assistance with graphic design. The other thing that I like is, the wonderful and great comments I get from my clients on the logo design she provided for 2U Landscape Solutions!
Thank you so much Smita for all your hard work!
-Gabriel Cervantes, 2U Landscape Solutions LLC

The College had a very innovative new project we were working on to envision the future of learning. Smita had the ability to capture the imagination of our stakeholders in beautiful design and composition. On an incredibly aggressive timeline, she worked closely with us and the printer to ensure that the brochure was printed and delivered on schedule. The brochure was successful in its bold rendering of the ideas even while maintaining the overall brand identity of the university. The success of her work can be gauged from the fact that we ended up ordering another two print runs, over the next few months, to distribute to stakeholders and partners within and outside of the university. Overall, I was impressed by Smita’s creativity, aesthetic sense, responsiveness to feedback, timeliness and the care and attention to detail she brought to the project.
-Dr. Carole Basile, Dean, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University

Smita, did a fantastic job with the info-graphics I needed for my research proposal. She provided various options and the final graphics looked great!
She was easy to work with and paid attention to every detail. It was great working with her!
-Dr. Feng Ju, School of Engineering, Arizona State University

I have worked with Smita on multiple info-graphics projects. I needed a quick and simple logo for a new project called 3DConcrete. I was very impressed with Smita’s creativity, ideas and the quick turnaround of the logo design. The infographics she designed for my proposal conveyed the idea of the proposal clearly with a simple, graphical treatment which a common man could understand.  I like her style and I would be happy to work with her again.
-Narayanan Neithalath, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University

The Chandler Museum enjoyed working with you. We appreciated your prompt responses and quick turn around times.  Your efforts to coordinate with the printer and demand quality from the color printed proof were also appreciated.  The quality of work was great and we were happy with the design completed. You were very easy to work with. We also valued the fact that you took initiative when you needed to get a hold of us and didn't just wait for us to call you. 
I felt confident in your professionalism!
-Tiffani Egnor, Curator of Education, Chandler Museum

Smita’s work conveyed a strength and sensitivity that was especially engaging and effective for informal learning — in both gallery and non-traditional installation environments.
-Lora Helou, MSU Museum

Smita Sawai's work for the Michigan's First Farmers exhibition was top notch. She blended our vision for the project with her own design aesthetic to create a visually coherent and engaging outcome. Her talents are matched by her flexibility and dedication to quality products that any client would be proud to display. I have witnessed several other projects of Smita's; all have been beautifully executed and have resulted in satisfied clients.
Julie Fick, Education Specialist, MSU Museum

I worked with Ms. Smita Sawai for our organization logo and flyers for the music concerts that our organization  arranges. Mrs Sawai's work has been absolutely top class. She is very professional and and an intent listener. She is very understanding and receptive of any changes. She is highly creative and artistic. She comes up with unique ideas and the end result is always amazing. Another great quality that I see in her is turning in the product in a timely fashion.
Srinivas Kavaturu, MSNA President

Smita Sawai of avani-design has produced a variety of beautiful design pieces for the Okemos Education Foundation, including our newsletter, an event program, a tri-fold brochure, a marketing brochure, and an event poster. She uses clean lines and bold photos to tell the message of our foundation in designs that are eye-catching and beautiful.  I hear many compliments about our promotional pieces.  One area business, which doesn't have a community board to hang event posters, was willing to tack Smita's poster on the wall, simply because the manager liked the way the poster looked.  Smita is easy to work with, too. She works quickly and knows intuitively how a finished piece should look, depending on the message we are trying to send.  The Okemos Education Foundation is truly lucky to have found Smita and avani-design.
Martha Hentz, Chair, Okemos Education Foundation

Smita is very creative with her work. She takes personal interest in the projects and does an excellent job . I was so impressed with her work for Capital Cardiology, PC five years ago, that I gave the job again to do our office brochure and website. This time she did even a better job and would highly recommend her.
Milind Karve, MD, FACC, Capital Cardiology, PC

We at MSU Museum have worked with Smita Sawai of Avani Design on several projects in the recent past.  She developed and designed a website to feature one of our discrete collections of ephemeral graphic arts.  The website is beautiful and functional, we were thrilled with it!  In addition, Avani Design was responsible for the graphic design of several exhibitions on a wide range of topics, from African textiles to graphic arts.  Her designs are always beautiful and creative, and reflect well the objects featured in the exhibition. Her work style is efficient and she brings the job in on time at a very reasonable cost.
Lynne Swanson, Collections Manager for Cultural Collections, MSU Museum

Smita Sawai has been a great help to our local Lansing community. She has volunteered her time as a graphic designer by creating event flyers, posters, program booklets, and tickets for the India Cultural Society (ICS) of Lansing last year and also some of the prior years. Her design and creativity skills are extremely good! She has gained attention and applause from many for her work. We wish her good luck in future endeavors!
Prashanti Boinapally, General Secretary of ICS (2016-2018)