In 2024, Additive welcomed the newest designer to our creative team, Devina Sarawgi! Over the past year, Devina has helped create eye-catching brand identities and graphic systems for clients ranging from Freedom to Choose Schools and Union Health Center to University of Rochester.
Devina is a multidisciplinary designer who earned her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. She brings a bold visual language, strong collaborative spirit and insatiable curiosity to her work. Before Additive, Devina created motion graphic content for Netflix and other over-the-top platforms.
We connected with Devina to celebrate her first year at Additive and chat about her hobbies and passions.
What drew you to Additive?
I wanted to work at Additive because I’ve always believed in the power of design for good. There are so few branding agencies that focus on the nonprofit space, so when I found Additive, it immediately stood out. Designing with intention and for positive social impact has always been my ultimate goal, and Additive felt like the perfect place to do that every day.
What’s one project you learned a lot from or feel particularly proud of?
The University of Rochester brand was one of my most exciting and challenging projects. The work was for such a notable institution. I knew that many passionate students and alumni would see it — which was both thrilling and intimidating. It was also my first university brand project. While the learning curve was steep, the experience taught me so much about balancing meaning and aesthetics.
In today’s world of digital-friendly over-designing, it was refreshing to collaborate with a team that cared deeply about the strategic why behind every choice. We broke down visual cues and built their brand system with intention. This way of thinking now guides how I approach every project.
What are you most excited to explore or take on in your next year with Additive?
Honestly, thinking too far ahead feels a little daunting right now — I’ve been taking things one month at a time in today’s unpredictable world. But I’m really looking forward to more time collaborating with the team, partnering with supportive clients, making good (and new) work, joining more office taste tests and continuing to be part of our small collective trying to create meaningful work.
What causes are motivating to you right now?
I consider myself a visual storyteller. I try to tell the stories of people, brands and communities through design — and I strive to do so joyously. My goal is to create work that’s not just beautiful, but also emotive and functional.
I’m especially passionate about immigration rights, women’s rights, gender equality and domestic violence awareness — causes that remind me why thoughtful design and storytelling matter.
What creative or personal pursuits are feeding you at the moment?
I’ve always been a huge horror movie fan. Bring Her Back, Weapons and The Substance are a few of my recent watches that were especially thrilling and memorable. Having my old friend (and new roommate) to watch movies with has made it even better.
Outside of movie nights, I’ve been slowly building a LEGO Jazz Quartet set — hoping it finally comes together soon! Crafting and making things with my hands has always been one of my favorite ways to decompress and reset creatively.
