Studio Duco Illustrates ‘The Wonder Drug’ for Financial Times: A Modern Take on Doré’s Classic Style

Studio Duco, an illustration studio specializing in editorial and magazine illustrations, recently collaborated with the Financial Times Weekend Magazine on "The Wonder Drug." Under the art direction of Shannon Gibson, the studio was commissioned to create the cover and full-page illustrations for an article discussing a groundbreaking new drug purported to end obesity.

The brief called for illustrations that mirrored the narrative of this new 'wonder' drug, drawing inspiration from Gustave Doré's iconic, angelic biblical illustrations. Studio Duco's intricate etching-style artwork blended classical references with modern themes, effectively conveying both the hope and complexity surrounding the drug.

The illustrations captured the ethereal, almost divine tone of Doré’s work while infusing it with contemporary relevance. The result was a visually stunning and thought-provoking series that elevated the editorial narrative and added a layer of visual sophistication to the FT Weekend Magazine.