We remained undecided on our headliner article until the very last moment this week. We eventually decided the VISA and Ethereum/USDC project announcement was likely the most significant event for the crypto world this week. Let's break down this cover.

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My idea was to depict VISA operations as a makeshift RV drug laboratory, cooking up some (m)ETH in the secrecy of the desert. For this scene, I was of course inspired by my favorite Netflix series, Breaking Bad. After concept confirmation with Redlion, we discussed the art style. We had a vector-like illustration in mind but in the end, I chose a more loose drawing style as the vectors needed much more time to get them looking super sharp.

I produced a nice handful of references on the isolated, flickering TV set, as well as with graffiti artwork on the RV. I also tweaked the decorative stripes to correspond with VISA's color scheme.

The TV screen made a nice spot to add a couple of last week's event references as well. So, besides the SNL parody video with Eminem, and ETH ATH news brought by Anchorman, we have also smuggled in our generative art project "Gazettes" as a  commercial.

I used minor detail on the RV art, from the brand logo stickers to the Squiggle and OAG graffiti. The Uniswap unicorn head made for an interesting gigantic ornamental decoration. Like a crown for this king of an RV! Gas and (m)ETH barrels are obviously essential to the operation.

The limited color palette is based on VISA's theme actually turned out quite fitting and proper for the desert setting and mood. I am delighted with how this illustration came out, and it instantly ranks among my favorite covers so far!