SD Phadnis has illustrated number of educational books, for subjects like Sanskrit, Grammar, Logic and most notably mathematics textbooks for the Maharashtra State Bureau from 1976 to 2006. His visuals helped children, including pre-literate learners, grasp abstract mathematical concepts through humour, symbols, and storytelling. This work reached millions of students across schools for three decades, contributing deeply to India’s pedagogical development.

Phadnis has also created cartoons and illustrations for subjects like juvenile justice, retirement planning, Banking, management, Pharma management, and philosophy; often working with national-level academic authors and NGOs, ministry of social welfare – Government of India, Unicef and Government of Maharashtra. He also designed booklets for workers to easily understand technical subjects – like use of machinery and safety.