Cover of Berliner Zeitung newspaper, January 4-5, 2025, featuring a chessboard with a lion and eagle chess pieces, and German text discussing global economic power struggles.
BERLINER ZEITUNG

Newspaper Cover Illustration

Creative Director: Uros Pajovic

The illustration commissioned by Berliner Zeitung for their weekend magazine cover brilliantly captures the theme of Germany's economic future through a striking and conceptually rich design. Studio Duco skillfully integrates chess symbolism with dynamic artistic elements, creating a powerful visual metaphor for the geopolitical and economic tensions between global powers—namely China, the USA, and Russia.

By placing these rival nations in the context of a strategic game of chess, the artwork communicates the high-stakes nature of their influence on Germany's economic landscape. The chessboard serves as an ideal metaphor for the calculated moves and complex dynamics at play, while the boldness of the artistic style reinforces the urgency and significance of these international power struggles.

The artwork's success lies not only in its striking aesthetic but also in how it succinctly encapsulates the intricate political and economic forces shaping the future of Germany and its position in a globalized world. The two-day turnaround over the New Year showcases Studio Duco’s ability to work under pressure and deliver a thought-provoking, visually compelling piece.

Illustration of large red chess pieces, including a king, rook, and knight with a dragon head, set on a checkered floor with a map of Europe, surrounded by yellow stars and a cloudy sky.

Sketch Stage

An illustration of a large chessboard with three chess pieces: a king, a rook, and a pawn. The king is topped with a statue of an eagle and a star, while the rook has a domed top. To the left of the chess pieces, a dragon's head is visible, emerging from behind the king. The background features clouds with red stars and a stylized sky in shades of orange and red. The chessboard reflects the shadow of the pieces and a map of Europe is painted on the board.

Dev Stage

A stylized digital illustration of a chessboard with three large chess pieces: a king, a queen, and a bishop. The king has an eagle with outstretched wings perched on top. To the left, a fierce dragon head emerges from the side of the king. The background depicts a cloudy sky with dark, swirling clouds and a faint glow behind the chess pieces.

Final

The front page of a German newspaper showing a graphic of a chess set with a dragon-themed knight and a golden eagle atop a pawn. The background resembles a sunset with clouds, and there is text in German about political and economic issues, including a mention of 2025 and global competition.

Final Stage