ABOUT MAASCOM
MAASCOM is a specialized company for Content Creation, Multimedia Design, Content Review, and related services working mainly in the field of social development communications.
MAASCOM was founded in 1986 and has worked for GoB Ministries and Departments, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, UN Women, European Union, JICA, NORAD, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Oxfam, GAIN, BRAC, ICDDR-B, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Cross-World Group, Swanirvar Bangladesh and other national and international organizations. MAASCOM has been working for UNICEF and other UN Agencies since 1994
MAASCOM is one of the pioneer companies in Bangladesh for computer-based design services. We started our digital journey with Microsoft Word, Aldus Page Maker 2.0, QuarkXpress 1.0, Adobe Illustrator 87, and Barneyscan XP in 1987.
In 1989, the Integrated Information Center initiated the first Yellow Pages in Bangladesh, and MAASCOM provided computer-based design support.
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MAASCOM works in a dedicated process with absolute priority. We deal with selected matters for selected clients and ensures client satisfaction with extreme flexibility of services.
In-house DTP Set-up
In 1990, MAASCOM launched an in-house Desktop Publishing set up with Mac-based Systems. We also kept traditional tools with digital system. The combination resulted in quicker output and random editing opportunities with a human touch. We started a training program on computer-based design and Desktop Publishing in 1991.
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Cross-platform Environment
In that period, some of our clients were using PCs to process their text, data, graphs, etc. and we were to work with those files for final designing. To address the situation, in 1991, we pioneered a cross-platform working environment, combining Mac and PC for working together.
​Working for UNICEF
Since 1992, some Associate Members of MAASCOM have worked for UNICEF Bangladesh to develop and design publications and communication materials. MAASCOM started working as a company for UNICEF in 1994.
Introducing Computerized
Design to UNICEF
At that time, designers worked in the conventional process (phototypesetting and manually pasting them on paper) for quality publications. In that process, designing a large report or book used to take many weeks. Alterations in the layout and text took weeks after weeks. So, we offered computer-based design solutions to UNICEF Bangladesh for quick output and alteration.
At first, we designed a pictorial report of around 70 pages on the urban children of Bangladesh titled ‘Staying Alive’ in 1993 with desktop computers as a test case. That was a great success because preparing the first layout of the report took only 3 days, which could take 3 weeks in the conventional process. Next year, we designed the VIPP Manual and many more publications.
Work from Anywhere
As we started working with UNICEF, political unrest was a big concern. Due to frequent Hartals, meeting the deadlines of urgent assignments became difficult. So, we have arranged to work from home by sending computers to the residences of some key team members before the Hartal days. It worked well and we kept running the practice for the following years. As the internet got faster, we could implement work from anywhere. Since the COVID-19 lockdown, work from anywhere has become a standard mode of operation.
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LTA with UNICEF
In 1996, the Programme Communications and Information Section (PCIS) of UNICEF Bangladesh initiated Long-Term Arrangements (LTA) for graphic design. MAASCOM developed the standard format for Agency Rate Sheets.
Through the bidding process, MAASCOM has been qualified and became an LTA Agency for graphic design. Since 1996, MAASCOM has been serving UNICEF under Long Term Arrangements.
Animation Workshop
In 1997, Training on Animation for Entertainment and Development was organized by Pentagram and supported by MAASCOM. It was conducted by Nirmal Serchan from Nepal, Chandi Lahiri from India, and Shishir Bhattacharjee & Obaidul Haque of Bangladesh. This was the first information technology-based Animation Workshop in Bangladesh.
IT Community of Bangladesh
In 1997, we Initiated Bangladesh IT Community to organize and support information technology professionals of Bangladesh.
Meena Team for Bangladesh
In 1998, we organized the Meena Team for Bangladesh to develop supplementary materials for the Meena Advocacy Program. This team produced several materials for the Meena Program for the next three years.
IT Solution for nationwide operation
In 2002, we developed an complete IT-based solution for the Nationwide Finance and HR Operation of Swanirvar Bangladesh.
Virtual Operation
In 2003, we designed a brochure for a Project at Columbia University, USA, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. We did not meet the client or any approval authority. We received the text and picture through email.
We designed the brochure and sent PDF files to people in the USA, Asia, and Africa for review. They sent their comments through email and we sent the next drafts. Within a week, we finalized the brochure and got approval. We printed a few thousand copies and sent them to five different destinations around the globe through FedEx.
Since then, we have followed this with our local clients to avoid traffic in Dhaka city during work. This experience showed us the possibility of operating from anywhere, anytime, in any situation, and a way to a paperless office.
Working for UN Women
Since 2019, MAASCOM has been working for the UN Women Bangladesh and designed a number of publications for UN Women. Those are briefs, reports, manuals, banners, photo stories and social media posts with a lot of illustrations.
As work from anywhere and virtual operations have been our practice for many years, we continued flawless services to develop and design communication materials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The way we do
As an integrated all-out team, we develop and design materials for its purpose. We ensure its maximum usability, cost-effectiveness, and a clear demonstration of the corporate image.
We aim to make things simple, nice-looking, easy to understand, and serve their pre-defined purposes. Above these, when we are assigned, we take full responsibility. We work as a team with full commitment and effort.
How we do it right
In the field of modern graphic design, we need a perfect combination of (1) proper equipment, (2) appropriate software, and (3) creative manpower with adequate skill and experience.
We always ensure this by incorporating adequate technology and involving the right manpower to accomplish the job. That is how we always stay up to the mark.
24 hours a day 7 days a week
Sometimes something happens very quickly. Something might need to be done within a very short deadline, which might seem impossible.
But we never give up! We deploy our round-the-clock service to deal with these urgent situations.
Emergency Support
We provide emergency support to our clients for Graphic Design and related services by deploying our team members at the client’s office or project area as and when it is required.