DU Student Muhammad Saad Draws Bangladesh’s Future Banknotes

As a child, Muhammad Saad was fascinated by pictures of cars and aeroplanes in the pages of his books and tried to draw them, much like other children. But his artistic curiosity took a different turn in Class Seven, when he became intrigued by the portraits on banknotes, made up of countless fine, web-like lines.

Wondering how such intricate portraits were created, he began practising the technique himself. Over time, that childhood curiosity developed into a distinctive artistic pursuit. Today, he uses pens, pencils and colours to create his own banknote designs on paper, combining detailed portraits with lettering, calligraphy and elaborate patterns.

His interest extends beyond aesthetics to the security features of banknotes. His ambition is to one day contribute to the design of Bangladesh’s currency.

Saad is a student of the 2021-22 academic session at the University of Dhaka. He is currently in the first year of his master’s programme in the Department of History of Art under the Faculty of Fine Arts and lives at Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall. Originally from Boalmari upazila in Faridpur, he continues to pursue his distinctive banknote-design practice alongside his academic studies.

From childhood sketches to banknote designs

Saad’s interest in drawing began in early childhood. Pictures of cars and aeroplanes in the books he read caught his attention, prompting him to try reproducing them himself. Drawing classes at his kindergarten school also helped him develop the habit, laying the foundation for his interest in art.

His fascination with banknote design emerged in Class Seven. He was particularly intrigued by the intricate, web-like lines surrounding portraits on currency notes and wanted to understand how such precise images could be created using so many fine strokes.

That curiosity led him to practise drawing similar patterns, eventually giving his artistic work a distinctive direction.

After enrolling in the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka, Saad expanded his interest in banknote design. He began creating his own designs inspired by portraits used on Bangladeshi banknotes.

Among the designs he has drawn are notes featuring portraits of various historical and public figures, including Zainul Abedin, Tajuddin Ahmad, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Khaleda Zia. While following the visual characteristics of existing banknotes, he also tries to incorporate his own artistic ideas into the designs.

Banknote design, however, demands a different approach from ordinary drawing. Alongside portraits, it requires the careful integration of intricate lines, elaborate patterns, lettering and calligraphy. The precise arrangement of each line contributes to the distinctive appearance of the finished design, making patience, concentration and fine drawing skills essential.

Pens, pencils and even a duck feather

Saad said that while conventional banknotes are produced through engraving techniques, he creates his designs by hand using pens, pencils and colours.

For detailed line work, he uses a variety of instruments, including Japanese Sakura Pigma pens, Rotring pens and fountain pens. He has even experimented with drawing using a duck feather.

Some of these materials are available in Bangladesh, while others have had to be ordered from abroad.

The time required to complete a design varies from one banknote to another. Saad said it was difficult to specify an exact duration because he does not work continuously on a single design. The time depends on the complexity of the design and how consistently he can work on it.

Combining fine lines, portraits and other decorative elements into a complete composition requires sustained attention and careful execution.

Drawing inspiration from banknotes around the world

For Saad, banknote design is not limited to drawing portraits or exploring the beauty of intricate lines. It also involves questions of history, heritage and how significant personalities are represented through currency.

He observes that banknotes in different countries often feature presidents, prime ministers, national leaders, monarchs, renowned poets and scientists. Keeping the Bangladeshi context in mind, he considers which personalities might be represented on the country's banknotes or commemorative coins.

To develop his work, Saad studies banknote designs from different countries and follows the work of their designers. Australian and Canadian banknotes are of particular interest to him, as he examines their visual styles, portrait presentation and use of fine lines.

Among the designers whose work he follows are Bangladesh's Muslim Mia and Kazi Golam Mostafa. He also draws inspiration from Brian Thompson of the United States, George Peral and Charles F. Comfort of Canada, and Max Robinson of Australia.

By studying their work, he hopes to refine his own techniques and strengthen his skills.

Art as both an academic pursuit and a personal ambition

For Saad, drawing is not merely a hobby pursued alongside his studies. Art is also the subject of his academic education, connecting his creative practice with the study of art history.

He noted that designers of Bangladesh's existing banknotes have also studied at fine arts institutions, reflecting the close relationship between formal art education and currency design.

His interest in banknotes has also led him to consider the problem of counterfeit currency in Bangladesh. He believes introducing high-security polymer banknotes could help address the issue, which causes financial losses and allows people to be defrauded.

Saad is currently working on polymer banknote designs, exploring an area that combines his artistic interests with practical concerns about currency security.

Polymer banknotes use materials and security systems that differ from those of conventional paper currency. With appropriate security features, such notes can be made more difficult to counterfeit. Saad's interest therefore extends beyond visual design to the practical aspects of producing secure currency.

His work on polymer notes reflects his desire to use his artistic skills to explore possible ways of improving banknote design and security.

A dream of designing Bangladesh’s banknotes

What began with drawing pictures of cars and aeroplanes in childhood has evolved into a practice centred on the intricate lines, portraits, lettering and calligraphy of banknote design.

By holding on to the curiosity he developed in Class Seven, Saad has gradually turned an early fascination into a specialised artistic pursuit.

He hopes to design banknotes for Bangladesh in the future, bringing the country's history, heritage and notable personalities to life through his work while also exploring ways to strengthen currency security.

To prepare for that ambition, he continues to study international designs, learn from established banknote designers and experiment with different drawing instruments and techniques.

For the University of Dhaka student, banknote design is more than the art of drawing a portrait on paper. It brings together childhood curiosity, academic study and a long-term professional ambition. With every carefully drawn line, he hopes to move closer to contributing to the design of Bangladesh's currency.