AI-Key-Visual zur GRAND SHOW des Friedrichstadt-Palastes 2025
I had the tremendous honor of creating the key visual for the upcoming Grand Show at Berlin’s legendary Friedrichstadt-Palast: BLINDED by DELIGHT. For me, this is nothing short of a dream come true — a vision that first crossed my mind back in 2009 while studying communication design, but one I never actively pursued.
Learn more about the awarded design agency Lauktien.Studio
I still remember riding the rattling U6 train to class every day, passing the giant posters at the stations. Friedrichstadt-Palast — the world’s largest theater stage. The visuals were stunning, the advertising so powerful. And I kept asking myself: How do you ever land a project like that? Honestly, I have no clear answer. This commission felt like a true gift — the request for this massive project came in on my 35th birthday. Crazy, right?
The Creative Journey
Developing this AI-powered key visual took months of work, countless late nights, and hundreds of hours in production:
- 2,435 AI-generated images to find the perfect model, expression, and gaze
- Over a hundred variations and countless upscales with magnific.ai
- 3D rendering for the title design
- A photo shoot on location (later set aside in favor of a fully AI-based approach)
- Graphic development of logo and text elements
- Extensive image editing, retouching, and layout in Adobe Photoshop
- Preparing the final artwork in ultra-high resolution to allow print in any format
Originally, we explored using a real model for the campaign. But after review, the CEO decided that the results didn’t fully match the intended artistic vision. So the process shifted toward creating the perfect AI-generated character using Midjourney and Magnific.ai. Once the right base material was found, everything was refined and composited in Photoshop until the final dramatic and magical atmosphere was achieved.
The Result
🔥 The result is the finalized BLINDED by DELIGHT key visual — a striking composition of light, color, and emotion that captures the spirit of the show. The poster is already displayed across Berlin and will remain a signature eye-catcher for Friedrichstadt-Palast until 2027.
This project represents a major milestone in my career — combining cutting-edge AI image generation with classical design skills and production techniques. I am infinitely grateful to have been trusted with such a prestigious assignment and proud to contribute to the visual identity of the world’s largest theater stage.
