Graphic Designer, Creative Director & Founder
Sonal Gadre-Shintre is an award-winning designer and founder of Kalakatta Design Studio. As a true visual storyteller, she helps brand leaders tell impactful stories through thoughtful and strategic designs. Her expertise spans brand identity, websites, print and digital design, packaging, and event graphics, with a signature ability to create striking typography that captivates audiences.
Kalakatta serves a diverse clientele across real estate, hospitality, technology, and consumer brands, transforming brand visions into meaningful, visually compelling stories. Currently, the studio is actively focusing on hospitality projects, helping brands in the industry craft elevated, memorable identities that resonate with their audiences. Sonal’s work is deeply influenced by her love for travel, photography, and nature, which she considers her biggest source of inspiration. She stays plugged into the latest design trends, always capturing the pulse of her clients to deliver creativity that resonates.
Before founding Kalakatta Studio, Sonal spent 15 years working with top design agencies in India and the USA, collaborating with global brands such as Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Johnson & Johnson, Cushman & Wakefield, Unilever, P&G, PepsiCo, Grazia, Aditya Birla Group, and Artists for Peace and Justice. She has also created graphic material for prestigious events like the Pre-Oscars, Toronto Film Festival, South Asian Excellence, and IIFA – Indian International Film Academy.
Her contributions to the design industry have earned her recognitions from GDUSA – American Graphic Design Awards and IDA – International Design Awards. In 2023, she was featured in GDUSA's ‘People to Watch’ and was honored as one of Jersey’s Best Under 40 by NJ Ad Club.
Based in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Sonal works with clients across the USA, India, and beyond. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new places, drawing inspiration from nature, and practicing Surya Namaskaras (Sun Salutations) daily with her husband and 6-year-old son.
PUBLISHED BOOK
First Day of School: A Gentle Back-to-School Story about Making New Friends
Author: Neel Shintre | Illustrated, Designed by Sonal Gadre-Shintre | Produced by Kalakatta Studio LLC
Available on Amazon
First Day of School: A Gentle Back-to-School Story about Making New Friends
Author: Neel Shintre | Illustrated, Designed by Sonal Gadre-Shintre | Produced by Kalakatta Studio LLC
Available on Amazon
AWARDS
1. 2025 GDUSA Graphic Design Award | Project: Round Table Hospitality Co.
Designer: Sonal Shintre | Agency: Kalākattā Design Studio
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/round-table-hospitality-co
Published on GDUSA Website: https://gdusa.com/competitions/graphic-design/?current_year=2025§ion=winner&rns=0-17868-18363
1. 2025 GDUSA Graphic Design Award | Project: Round Table Hospitality Co.
Designer: Sonal Shintre | Agency: Kalākattā Design Studio
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/round-table-hospitality-co
Published on GDUSA Website: https://gdusa.com/competitions/graphic-design/?current_year=2025§ion=winner&rns=0-17868-18363
2. 2025 GDUSA Graphic Design Award | Project: Andaaz Branding & Collateral
Designer: Sonal Shintre | Agency: Kalākattā Design Studio
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/andaaz-restaurant-catering
Published on GDUSA Website: https://gdusa.com/competitions/graphic-design/?current_year=2025§ion=winner&rns=0-17868-18363
Designer: Sonal Shintre | Agency: Kalākattā Design Studio
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/andaaz-restaurant-catering
Published on GDUSA Website: https://gdusa.com/competitions/graphic-design/?current_year=2025§ion=winner&rns=0-17868-18363
3. 2022 GDUSA Package Design Award | Project: Frio Collection | Category: Luxury Brands
Designer: Sonal Shintre | Agency: Kalākattā Design Studio
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/frio-collection-perfume-logo-packaging
Designer: Sonal Shintre | Agency: Kalākattā Design Studio
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/frio-collection-perfume-logo-packaging
4. 2020 GDUSA Graphic Design Award | Project: 25 Collection logos for PID Floors | Category: Logos & Symbols
Designer: Sonal Shintre | Agency: Kalākattā Design Studio
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/25-collection-logos-for-pid-floors
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/gdusa-contest-winner?cc=agda20&ids=0%7C11379%7C11651&iy=&im=
Designer: Sonal Shintre | Agency: Kalākattā Design Studio
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/25-collection-logos-for-pid-floors
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/gdusa-contest-winner?cc=agda20&ids=0%7C11379%7C11651&iy=&im=
5. 2020 GDUSA Graphic Design Award | Project: Mr. Patrick Carroll | Category: Branding + Identity Programs
Agency: Alpine Creative Group | Graphic Designer: Sonal Gadre-Shintre | Brand Manager: Steve Paster
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/personal-brand-identity-patrick-carroll
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/gdusa-contest-winner?cc=agda20&ids=0|11286&iy=&im=
Agency: Alpine Creative Group | Graphic Designer: Sonal Gadre-Shintre | Brand Manager: Steve Paster
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/personal-brand-identity-patrick-carroll
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/gdusa-contest-winner?cc=agda20&ids=0|11286&iy=&im=
6. 2020 GDUSA Graphic Design Award | Project: Kalākattā Design Studio | Category: Poster design
Designer: Sonal Shintre | Agency: Kalākattā Design Studio
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/kalakatta-design-studio
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/gdusa-contest-winner?cc=agda20&ids=0%7C11379%7C11651&iy=&im=
Designer: Sonal Shintre | Agency: Kalākattā Design Studio
Project: https://kalakatta.studio/kalakatta-design-studio
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/gdusa-contest-winner?cc=agda20&ids=0%7C11379%7C11651&iy=&im=
7. 2018 GDUSA Inhouse Design Award | Project: Riverfront SQ | Category: Map Brochure
Company: Cushman & Wakefield | Designer: Sonal Shintre
Project: http://sonalgadre.com/riverfront-sq-map-brochure
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/gdusa-contest-winner?cc=aida18&ids=0|112120|112121|112532&iy=2018&im=08
Company: Cushman & Wakefield | Designer: Sonal Shintre
Project: http://sonalgadre.com/riverfront-sq-map-brochure
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/gdusa-contest-winner?cc=aida18&ids=0|112120|112121|112532&iy=2018&im=08
8. 11th IDA Annual Awards 2017 - Silver | Project: Texarome | Category: Print-Stationary
Independent Client Project | Designer: Sonal Shintre
Published on IDA 2017 - Winner's list: https://idesignawards.com/winners/index.php
Project: http://www.sonalgadre.com/texarome-brand-identity
Independent Client Project | Designer: Sonal Shintre
Published on IDA 2017 - Winner's list: https://idesignawards.com/winners/index.php
Project: http://www.sonalgadre.com/texarome-brand-identity
9. 2017 GDUSA Graphic Design Award | Project: Aaras Creations | Category: Branding & collaterals
Independent Client Project | Designer: Sonal Shintre
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/gdusa-contest-winner?cc=agda17&ids=0|1602916&iy=&im=
Project: http://www.sonalgadre.com/aaras-creations
Independent Client Project | Designer: Sonal Shintre
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/gdusa-contest-winner?cc=agda17&ids=0|1602916&iy=&im=
Project: http://www.sonalgadre.com/aaras-creations
10. 2017 GDUSA Inhouse Design Award | Project: APJ 2015 Festival Gala | Category: Brochure & Collaterals
Company: Artists for Peace & Justice | Designer: Sonal Shintre
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/2017-american-inhouse-design-awards/aida17winner
Project: http://sonalgadre.com/apj-2015-festival-gala
Company: Artists for Peace & Justice | Designer: Sonal Shintre
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/2017-american-inhouse-design-awards/aida17winner
Project: http://sonalgadre.com/apj-2015-festival-gala
11. 2017 GDUSA Inhouse Design Award | Project: Fierce Creativity 2014 | Category: Catalog Design
Company: Artists for Peace & Justice | Designer: Sonal Shintre
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/2017-american-inhouse-design-awards/aida17winner
Project: http://sonalgadre.com/fierce-creativity
Company: Artists for Peace & Justice | Designer: Sonal Shintre
Published on GDUSA Website: http://contests.gdusa.com/2017-american-inhouse-design-awards/aida17winner
Project: http://sonalgadre.com/fierce-creativity
MEDIA & RECOGNITION
• NJ Ad Club Jersey's Best Under 40 - Class of 2023
•Featured at 2023 GDUSA People To Watch (Profile Article)
•Featured at Six Decades of GDUSA People To Watch
•Featured at 2023 GDUSA People To Watch (Profile Article)
•Featured at Six Decades of GDUSA People To Watch
The articles published onGDUSA News Blog
•Graphic Designer Teams With Son (and AI) For Children’s Book
•25 Logos In 25 Weeks
•Graphic Designer Teams With Son (and AI) For Children’s Book
•25 Logos In 25 Weeks
The article published at Medium
• Designer credit in the newspaper:
South Asian Times: Vol 6 Issue 28 Nov 2-8, 2013
H4 Visa-A curse, USA | Poster
Page 14 - H4 Golden Cage and Page 15- My hands are tied
South Asian Times: Vol 6 Issue 28 Nov 2-8, 2013
H4 Visa-A curse, USA | Poster
Page 14 - H4 Golden Cage and Page 15- My hands are tied
Washington Post
The header image for a Facebook group for H-4 visa holders. (Sonal Gadre)
The header image for a Facebook group for H-4 visa holders. (Sonal Gadre)
our collaborators
Web Partners
Photography Partner
Print Partner
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The word 'KALĀKATTĀ' means 'a platform for art' in Marathi, one of the native languages in India. We collaborate with a team of talented copywriters, illustrators, typographers, printers, and web programmers to deliver a holistic creative solution.
Write to us for a collaboration
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