"Artist and author You Byun draws imaginative landscapes that capture the magic around her with lush environments and a variety of memorable characters. Playful, detailed but with a certain sombreness. Be entranced, be very entranced."
– Quoted from Pick Me Up London Graphic Design Festival


Korean artist, award-winning illustrator and an author, You Byun was born in Queens, New York. Byun grew up in America, Korea and Japan, and after getting BFA from Hongik University in Korea she returned to New York. She received her Master's degree of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York.

Byun is known and recognized for her detailed lines, colors and imaginative landscapes(such as background images and patterns), Byun also likes to draw characters and portraits.

Her illustration captures the magic of lush environments and a variety of memorable characters. She draws her influences from the various cultures she has lived amongst. Her illustrative storytelling is achieved through delicate details woven with rich colors, patterns and decorative ornaments. The works invite you into her fanciful realm that is playful yet sometimes tinged with a somber autumnal hint of transformation.

Her work has been recognized by various magazines, awards and competitions, including Nobrow, Pick Me Up London 2013, Communication Arts Magazine, Creative Quarterly, Ai-Ap, Society of Illustrators, Society of Illustration LA, & SCBWI (with winning both Grand Prize in Portfolio Award, and Tomie DePaola Award at a same time on 2010).

Her Client List includes Penguin Books, Nobrow Press, Fisher Price, Verizon, PLANSPONSOR Magazine, NPR, Roger la Borde, Rodale, JWT, Pictoplasma, Gestalten, SCBWI and more.

While working on various projects, she is currently working on her second picture book with an international publisher Penguin Group - Nancy Paulsen Books (A division of Penguin Young Readers Group), which is scheduled to be published in 2014. Her first book Dream Friends with the same publisher, which was highly praised by New York Times and Amazon.

Byun now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.