BYASN

Because You Asked So Nicely (BYASN) emerged as a self-directed project from the Contemporary Graphics Bureau amidst the challenging times of the first national lockdown and the global pandemic in 2020.

BYASN serves as a deliberate nod to the abundance of trendy graphic design that permeates social media platforms. Countless talented designers continuously churn out exquisitely crafted ephemeral designs. However, more often than not, these creations lack a tangible purpose, existing solely to amass online clout and generate digital content. In an era where Instagram followers seem to hold more weight than one's professional achievements, navigating this landscape can be disheartening, morally compromising, and even emotionally draining for emerging creatives.

To counteract this dynamic, the CGB consciously decided to distance itself from social media altogether. Instead, we embraced the old-fashioned approach of relying on word-of-mouth referrals and recommendations.

Nevertheless, as a studio, we couldn't entirely suppress our yearning for trendy graphic design. That irresistible longing, that pang of envy when encountering captivating 4:5 designs on our social feeds, led to the inception of BYASN. The name itself pays homage to the iconic question found in Facebook's status box, "What's on your mind?" Our response echoes, "A Doodle for Instagram, because you asked so nicely…"

When creating a BYASN piece, we embark without a predetermined agenda or outcome. Our aim is to foster unrestricted creativity, often exploring new skills or techniques along the way. All we endeavor to do is complete the artwork within a one-hour timeframe, embracing the freedom and spontaneity that it brings.

BYASN serves as a creative outlet that satiates our desire to experiment, indulge our passion for trendy graphic design, and foster a sense of liberation from the constraints of social media's expectations. It allows us to express ourselves freely, unencumbered by external pressures, and grants us the joy of creating purely for the sake of creation itself.