About | Akanksha Salvi | Strategic Brand Designer

more about me

Hi, I’m Akanksha—a designer with over 5 years of experience crafting brands that tell meaningful stories and create lasting value. I believe great design isn’t just seen; it’s felt, and I’m driven to create life-centered, sustainable solutions that make an impact.

When I’m not designing, you’ll likely find me sipping endless cups of matcha or planning my next Himalayan hike, finding inspiration in the quiet chaos of nature. Currently, I’m expanding my expertise through Design Management studies at Pratt New York, bridging creativity and business to shape the future of design.

My design philosophy

"Design is Rooted in Purpose, and Driven by Impact"

I believe design has the power to shape not just products but lives. My philosophy centers around creating solutions that are not only impactful and sustainable but also deeply connected to people, their stories, and the environments they inhabit.

expertise

Strategic Brand Positioning

Design Thinking

Market Research

Team Leadership

Project Management

Time Management

Creative Problem-Solving

Design for Sustainability

Financial & Sustainability Reporting & Analysis

Client Communication & Relations

Presentation Skills

Storytelling & Narrative building

technical skills

Branding Design

Identity Design

Packaging Design

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe InDesign

AI Prompt Engineering

Webflow (HTML, CSS Layout, CMS)

Adobe After Effects

Generative AI Software (ChatGPT, Adobe Firefly, MidJourney)

Typography & Layout Design

Awards & recognitions

India’s Best Design Project 2024
‍IBDA India for Viah Beauty - Brand Strategy & Packaging
‍
‍$25,000 Scholarship
‍Awarded by Pratt Institute for academic excellence (2024)
‍
‍Best Graduation Project in Graphic Design
‍Symbiosis Institute of Design (2022)
‍
‍Highest Score in SEED Entrance Exam
‍Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (2018)

Journey over the years

June 2018

Began my undergraduate journey at Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune, diving into courses on branding, packaging design, typography, and visual communication, laying the foundation for a strong design career.

April 2020

I joined Enormous Brands, Mumbai as a Junior Visualizer for my summer internship. I designed branding materials, rebranding campaigns, and social media assets for clients like Reliance General Insurance, enhancing digital engagement and brand visibility.

July 2020

I joined Vinegarden Films as a Visual Designer & Illustrator, where I conceptualized brand videos and created illustrations for clients like Amazon across the USA, Europe, and India, boosting video engagement and fostering client relationships through timely and impactful deliveries.

May 2021

I developed a brand identity for Nue Café, focusing on transparency in food sourcing and an inclusive dining experience, which led to a 20% increase in customer engagement within the first three months of launch.

VIEW PROJECT

Dec 2021

I joined Therefore Design as a Design Intern, where I contributed to branding and packaging projects across diverse industries, honing my skills in identity creation, visual storytelling, and design strategy under the mentorship of experienced professionals.

Here I worked on my graduation project Jokico during my internship tenure

View project

June 2022

I was honored to receive the Best Graduate Project Award at Symbiosis Institute of Design for Jokico, a branding and packaging design project that empowered 700+ farmers and positioned jaggery as a premium product through thoughtful storytelling and strategic design.

July 2022

I graduated from Symbiosis Institute of Design in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Design, achieving a CGPA of 8.34.

My time there allowed me to cultivate a strong foundation in branding, packaging, and visual storytelling.

August 2022

Started working as a full-time Strategic Brand Designer at Therefore Design, where I led over 15 branding and packaging projects across industries such as Food & Beverage, Beauty, Skincare, and Tech, driving client sales growth by up to 25%.

I also supervised a team of junior designers, mentoring them in design thinking and project management, while ensuring 95% of projects were delivered on time and within budget, resulting in a 40% repeat business rate for the organization.

July 2024

Viah Beauty project was recognized with the prestigious India’s Best Design Project Award, celebrating its exceptional branding and packaging design that elevated the brand’s presence in the luxury skincare market.

View project

August 2024

I was thrilled to be accepted into the Master’s program in Design Management at Pratt Institute, New York, with a $25,000 scholarship recognizing my potential and achievements. My fall semester GPA was 3.93!

Moving to New York marked an exciting new chapter, where I am deepening my expertise in bridging design and business through coursework focused on strategic brand management, sustainability, design thinking, and innovation.

Today

I’m on the lookout for internship opportunities where I can work with industry experts, create meaningful solutions, and bring real value to organizations—all while learning and growing along the way.

View my Resume ⟶

life beyond design

When I’m not immersed in the world of design, you’ll likely find me wandering through new destinations, soaking in inspiration from every corner of the world. I have a deep appreciation for intriguing cinema and thought-provoking TV series, which fuel my creative perspective and storytelling. Beyond that, I enjoy hiking, doing pilates, experimenting with new healthy food recipes, and uncovering the small joys of life that spark curiosity and creativity. It’s this balance between work and play that keeps my ideas fresh and my outlook inspired.