Designing Impact: The Story Behind ARMMAN’s Annual Report

How we transformed ARMMAN’s annual report into a compelling, easy-to-read story showcasing 15 years of impact.

When Sumitra Devi from Manatu village in Jharkhand became pregnant for the first time, she found herself navigating the journey without the guidance of her late mother-in-law. That’s when a local ASHA worker introduced her to Kilkari—ARMMAN’s voice-based mobile service. Through weekly calls, Sumitra received vital information about nutrition, hygiene, and immunisations, all delivered in a comforting, familiar voice. To her, Dr Anita—the fictional doctor behind the Kilkari messages—became more than just a voice; she became a steady source of care and reassurance. 

Now, Sumitra is the proud mother of a four-month-old healthy baby. These are not merely moments of impact—these are the essence of ARMMAN’s work.

Our Design Approach 

When ARMMAN came to us to create their 2023–24 annual report, we knew we had a chance to create something impactful and innovative. They had completed 15 years of their operations. So, our goal was to present ARMMAN’s incredible work in an interactive and engaging way and at the same time highlight this milestone. So here are a few ways in which we did it:

Highlighting Key Numbers

We were working with a lot of information. ARMMAN had a treasure trove of data: crucial statistics, program achievements, and impact numbers. The challenge wasn’t just what to include but how to present it without losing the reader. Each number told a story and deserved to be noticed. For example, we used bold, oversized fonts to highlight statistics such as “46.4M women and children reached till date”, and “380K+ ASHAs trained till date.” These figures were carefully placed with contextual narratives so that even if someone just skimmed through, they wouldn’t miss it.

The challenge wasn’t just what to include but how to present it without losing the reader.

Celebrating a 15-Year Milestone

Fifteen years is a big milestone, and we didn’t want that to go unnoticed. We wove the number into the visual language of the report. You’d find it behind key images, in the founder’s note, and even on the cover. This added consistency but also gave the report a aesthetic feel without going over the top.

Enhancing Information Through Infographics

Some of the most impactful information was also the most complex, which becomes meaningful when presented visually. We created a detailed timeline infographic to highlight important moments in ARMMAN’s 15-year history. In order to give stakeholders clear, detailed insights into their training and decision-making processes, flowcharts were specifically used to highlight various programs.

Mapping ARMMAN’s Reach Across India

We wanted the map of India to do more than just show locations. It needed to reflect ARMMAN’s reach in a clean, thoughtful way. The simplified, uncluttered design highlighted states like Maharashtra, visually marking regions of high impact and ongoing programme implementations. The strategic use of icons and clear legends provided viewers with intuitive insights into geographic coverage and scale.

Integrating Photo Cut-Outs

We avoided using full-page photographs. Instead, we worked with photo cut-outs showcasing genuine moments captured among beneficiaries, healthcare workers, and ARMMAN’s dedicated team members. This style gave the report a lighter, more modern feel. The images blended into the design ensuring the stories remained front and center without overpowering it.

In the end, our job was to make data approachable. But more than that, we wanted readers to feel something. This wasn’t just a report—it was ARMMAN’s story. And we were proud to share it.

ARMMAN Annual Report

The Effect of Thoughtful Design

The aim was to let readers understand the main points at a glance while investigating further details if they wanted. And ARMMAN and its stakeholders had a really positive reaction overall. 

Shweta Thampan, Senior Communications Manager at ARMMAN, felt that the design process was smooth and collaborative. “They’re so easy to work with,” she noted, “thanks to their quick responses, minimal feedback, and handholding.” Her comment underscored how, when combined with clarity and purpose, design can become a universal language connecting different teams.

“They’re so easy to work with, thanks to their quick responses, minimal feedback, and handholding.”

This project showed that careful design can make complex things simpler, add a human touch to data, and showcase genuine impact. As design trends shift towards interactivity, motion, and personalisation, we’re passionate to explore new ways to tell powerful stories.

We at Simit Bhagat Studios turn complex information into powerful stories. Ready to turn your annual report into a narrative that engages stakeholders? Let’s talk about how our design approach can highlight your success and engage your audience.


Rahul More

Video Editor

Rahul works on video editing and motion graphics across various formats. He previously worked in post-production at Sallys, with experience across commercials, web series, and digital content. He has over three years of experience in video editing and motion graphics. He enjoys reading, playing cricket, fish keeping and making short films. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media (Journalism) and a Diploma in Filmmaking from Rachana Sansad Institute, Mumbai.

Abhinav S S

Illustrator

Abhinav works on in-house blog illustrations, storyboarding and various visual projects aligned with the studio’s creative direction. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Communication from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Bhopal. He has played competitive cricket for the state of Kerala and has a strong interest in painting and graffiti.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter and receive exclusive podcasts, blog updates.

Swanand Deo

Web Development Specialist

Swanand Deo is a WordPress and Web Development Specialist working on various digital projects. With over a decade of experience in the design and development space, he has collaborated with over 50 national and international clients. He specialises in User Experience (UX) design, WordPress development, and creating engaging digital experiences. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Pune.

Aashna Chandra

Graphic Designer

Aashna works on publications, UI/UX and branding projects at SBS. She has previously worked with organisations across the social impact and development space. Her work focuses on layout design, visual identity systems and user interfaces across print and digital formats. She studied at the United Institute of Design, Gandhinagar, specialising in branding, typography, editorial design and packaging.

Vivek Warang

Digital Illustrator

Vivek works on translating ideas into visual narratives. His work ranges from creating storyboards and illustrations to ideation for special visual storytelling projects. He previously worked as an illustrator at OckyPocky. He enjoys telling stories through images and bringing concepts to life through his drawings. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Arts from D.Y. Patil College, Pune, with a specialisation in Illustration.

Rajshree Goswami

Content Writer

Rajshree began her professional journey in Kolkata and has over four years of experience as a creative writer and proofreader for academic papers. At SBS, she works across all content, including blogs, transcripts, quality checks and writing for annual reports. She is an avid reader and enjoys cinema, fiction and creative writing. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Honours from West Bengal State University.

Bhavesh Dhote

Founder’s Office

Bhavesh is part of the Founder’s Office, working across in-house operations, social media strategy, strategic initiatives, market research and film production. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering with a Diploma in AI and Machine Learning from D.J. Sanghvi College of Engineering, Mumbai. He is also a professional badminton player, marathon runner, trekker and plays euphonium and trumpet.

Manish Mandavkar

Motion Editor

Manish Mandavkar has studied animation at Arena Animation in Mumbai. He has previously worked on animated videos and motion graphics for brands, including Unilever and Zee Movies. An avid gamer, he is also passionate about sketching and photography. He holds a degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai.

Joel Machado

Film Editor

Mumbai-based creative consultant and film editor Joel Machado has worked on documentaries as well as films in the mainstream Bollywood sector. He was also the Chief Assistant Director on the Jackie Shroff short, “The Playboy, Mr. Sawhney.” In addition to earning a B.Com from Mumbai University, he attended the city’s Digital Academy to hone his script writing skills.

Rohit Sreekumar

Founder’s Office

Rohit is responsible for developing strategic alliances and collaborative initiatives in the social sector. He also works on project management and helps internal teams stay on track. He has previously worked at early-stage startups across product and growth roles. In his free time, he enjoys binge-watching series, gaming and reading. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Applications from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Karnataka.

Aliefya Vahanvaty

Sr. Creative Partner

Senior Creative Partner, Aliefya Vahanvaty has worked in a wide range of editorial roles over the course of her career, gaining experience as a correspondent, copy editor, writer, photographer, and assistant editor at publications like the Times of India, Forbes India, Open Magazine, Impact Magazine, and others. In addition to her MA in Sociology from Mumbai University, she also has an MA in Photojournalism from the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom.

Simit Bhagat

Founder

Founder, Simit Bhagat has worked in the fields of filmmaking, project management, and journalism for over 15 years. He has served in a variety of positions for organisations like the Times of India, the Maharashtra Forest Department, the Tata Trusts, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation. From the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, he earned a Master of Arts in Science, Society, and Development.