Climate conferences are at an impasse, and the ongoing struggle for meaningful environmental protection feels stuck in a cycle of repetition. At the same time, our collective romanticized image of nature no longer serves as a viable solution — or even an inspiration—for progress. This disillusionment has become almost universally understood. Yet, paradoxically, as nature recedes further from our reality, our yearning for its presence seems to grow stronger.
This longing, layered with complexity, finds its most poignant expression in the younger generation: those in their twenties and mid-twenties navigating a world defined by contradictions. Who are they, and how do they see themselves? What does their everyday life entail — balancing work, parties, activism, and personal reflection? What topics dominate their thoughts, and how can we encapsulate their experiences in a way that feels fresh, relevant, and visually compelling?
To explore these questions, a collaboration was born between the editorial team at ZEIT Online and the renowned design agency Edenspiekermann. Together, they sought to articulate the heartbeat of a generation through a modern and innovative visual language, capturing the essence of young lives in a world that is both rapidly changing and uncomfortably stagnant.
This project goes beyond a mere chronicle — it seeks to reflect the zeitgeist, blending journalism with cutting-edge design to present a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is visually engaging.
