AvantGarde Design

AvantGarde Design Available by appointment only. I’m Barbara Caruso, brand strategist and designer, life-long bookworm, and amateur hip-hop dancer. Deal? Deal.

AvantGarde Design is a Connecticut-based design studio led by Barbara Caruso specializing in brand strategy and design, web design, graphic design, and digital marketing services. After years of running a wedding stationery business and working in digital marketing and project management, I decided to apply my creative communication skills to the small business world with AGD. Today, perhaps I’m best known for my ability to balance the big picture vision with the granular details, know when to pull in the right resources in a project, and communicate a clear plan for success. But AvantGarde Design has always been less about me and more about what we can accomplish together. I see your passion for the work you do, the people you serve, and the impact you’re making in your corner of the world. I also see the stress of trying to do it all on your own, not to mention the uncertainty about how to best represent what you do visually. I’d be honored to bring my strategic design skills to your side with enduring visuals and marketing support that aligns with you and your goals (and makes you more money!). Visit my site: https://www.avantgardedesignct.com/
Follow along on IG:

10/20/2026

I think about how many things I would’ve missed out on if I let fear, doubt, or the possibility of failure make my decisions for me.

And listen, I’m not saying I’ve suddenly become this fearless person who has it all figured out. FAR from it. 😂

I still question things, still overthink and I still have moments where I wonder what the heck I’m doing (or if I’m good enough - holla if you feel me lol)

But I’ve also learned that some of the best things in my life have come from giving myself permission to try, even when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed.

Some things worked, some absolutely did not work and some took me in directions I never would’ve expected.

And every single experience taught me something.

Because sometimes the biggest growth comes from the things you almost talked yourself out of. And I’m really glad I didn’t talk myself out of all of them. 🤍

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AvantGarde Design is a Connecticut-based design studio led by Barbara Caruso specializing in brand strategy and design, web design, graphic design, and digital marketing services.

10/16/2026

Stay loyal to your creativity, because it’s a gift.

One thing about me — I’ll keep betting on myself. This is your reminder: the world needs your creativity too.

Thankful for the clients who’ve trusted me with their brands. It’s been an honor and a pleasure to be part of your story. 🫶🏻

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Brand studio | ct brand strategist | branding strategy | ct brand designer | graphic designer |

AvantGarde Design is a Connecticut-based design studio led by Barbara Caruso specializing in brand strategy and design, web design, graphic design, and digital marketing services.

Real talk: brand strategy is not the sexy part of this industry.Everyone wants the logo, the colors, the vibe. And I get...
10/11/2026

Real talk: brand strategy is not the sexy part of this industry.
Everyone wants the logo, the colors, the vibe. And I get it, that’s the part you can see.

But skip the strategy and you’re not building a brand. You’re decorating a guess.

Strategy is where we figure out who you are, who you’re for, and what you stand for, before we get anywhere near the pretty stuff. Once that’s locked in, your visuals start looking like you and your marketing pretty much writes itself.

Strategy isn’t the warm-up act. It’s what makes everything after it actually work.

So yes, I’ll keep asking 47 questions before we talk fonts. Future you will thank me. 😉

Photo by Carla Hernández Ten Eyck | Wedding + Branding Photographer
Makeup KiSSandMaKeUp

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AvantGarde Design is a Connecticut-based design studio led by Barbara Caruso specializing in brand strategy and design, web design, graphic design, and digital marketing services.

Old-world romance meets lived-in elegance…For Liv Maria Photography, we wanted to capture a feeling that was timeless, i...
09/24/2026

Old-world romance meets lived-in elegance…

For Liv Maria Photography, we wanted to capture a feeling that was timeless, intimate, and deeply rooted in legacy — think heritage burgundy, warm creams, soft olive hues, candlelit dinners, handwritten notes, vintage cars, and quiet moments that feel pulled from a family archive.

It’s refined romance with soul.

Editorial elegance softened by warmth, nostalgia, and meaningful connection. ✨

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AvantGarde Design is a Connecticut-based design studio led by Barbara Caruso specializing in brand strategy and design, web design, graphic design, and digital marketing services.

🖤

09/21/2026

Plot twist: there’s enough success to go around. Supporting someone in your industry isn’t a threat - it’s a boost. 🫶🏻

Tag someone in your corner who gets it

09/21/2026

When someone trusts your brand, they don’t have all the answers.

They simply feel confident enough to take the next step.

Maybe that’s following you, maybe it’s joining your email list.
Maybe it’s sending the inquiry they’ve been putting off.

Trust doesn’t eliminate every question someone has.

It gives them enough confidence to believe you’re the right person to help.

That’s why branding is about so much more than having just a beautiful logo or a cohesive Instagram feed.

It’s about creating an experience that feels clear, consistent, and authentic every time someone interacts with your business.

Because when people feel confident in your brand, taking the next step starts to feel a whole lot easier. 🤍

—
AvantGarde Design is a Connecticut-based design studio led by Barbara Caruso specializing in brand strategy and design, web design, graphic design, and digital marketing services.

Okayyyy, I’m doing a thing. 👀AGD is looking for a Creative + Social Media Intern!I’ve been thinking about bringing an i...
09/19/2026

Okayyyy, I’m doing a thing. 👀
AGD is looking for a Creative + Social Media Intern!
I’ve been thinking about bringing an intern into the world of AGD for a while, and this feels like the right time to finally do it.

I’m looking for someone who loves social media, content, Canva, trends, branding, or just bringing a good idea to life — and wants the chance to get hands-on experience working with real brands and real creative projects.
You don’t need to know everything. You do need to be curious, creative, organized, willing to learn, and excited to bring your own ideas to the table.

And if TikTok happens to be your natural habitat… even better.

This will be a primarily remote role for approximately 5 hours/week. Ideally still located in central CT to join in-person meetings and content sessions.

Know someone who might be a good fit? Send this their way.
Interested? Fill out the form at the link in my bio. 🤍
Can’t wait to meet ya.

***APPLICATION WINDOW CLOSES 9/30!!***

09/16/2026

Turns out, feeling ready was never actually a requirement. 😂

Sometimes you just have to start with the idea, the messy first draft, the thing you’re not entirely sure will work… and figure some of it out as you go.

Most of what I’ve built didn’t start with me feeling 100% confident about it.

I just decided it was worth trying.

And maybe that’s your sign to try the thing, too. 🤍

Been having this exact conversation with clients on repeat lately, so I figured it was time to say it out loud. 👀If you’...
09/13/2026

Been having this exact conversation with clients on repeat lately, so I figured it was time to say it out loud. 👀

If you’ve ever had a moment where you wanted to change your logo, your colors, your whole vibe... out of nowhere - this one’s for you.

Sometimes it’s real. Sometimes it’s just a Tuesday that feels like a Monday. 🙃

Swipe through, then come tell me in the comments which one you’re actually dealing with. I promise I won’t judge the 11pm template scroll. 😉

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Brand studio | ct brand strategist | branding strategy | ct brand designer | graphic designer |

AvantGarde Design is a Connecticut-based design studio led by Barbara Caruso specializing in brand strategy and design, web design, graphic design, and digital marketing services.

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Berlin, CT
06037

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