Zukunftsinstitut

What is the Zukunftsinstitut (Future Institute)?

The Zukunftsinstitut is Germany's leading think tank for trend and future research. Using scientific methods, the renowned institute analyzes long-term social, economic, and technological developments. In doing so, it identifies so-called megatrends such as “Future of Work,” which make complex social changes tangible. storyboard supports the institute in communicating these highly complex future topics in an understandable way through journalistic preparation and visualization.

„We are delighted to have storyboard as the perfect publishing partner for our venture into reinventing futurology. Our goal is to make our reliable and applicable insights accessible to as many people as possible in order to support them in shaping their future. Storyboard's expertise helps us to summarize complex developments with appropriate narratives in order to deliver the greatest possible added value to decision-makers in organizations.“


Harry Gatterer, Managing Director Zukunftsinstitut

Future Business Guide
KI Empowerment
Several iPads display the title slide of the “Future Business Guide AI Empowerment” with an illustration of a human fist and a robot fist.

Task

  • Content strategy and consulting
  • Content creation
  • Art direction (layout & design)
  • Project management

Hard facts

Implementation

The rapid rise of generative AI presents companies with the challenge of using it competently and holistically. Based on research by the Zukunftsinstitut (Future Institute) on the megatrend “Future of Work” and the trend “AI Empowerment” identified therein, storyboard has developed a comprehensive guide for integrating AI into corporate strategy that provides clarity for decision-makers.

storyboard translated the complex research results of the Zukunftsinstitut into understandable and practical content and designed them as a high-quality, ready-to-use chart deck (PowerPoint presentation). In addition, the content was prepared for the Zukunftsinstitut's digital learning platform.

Contents of the Future Business Guide

The guide structures the challenges along seven areas relevant to businesses—from organization and offerings to customer relations. Enriched with best practices, statistics, and expert knowledge, the guide provides concrete solutions for operational and strategic implementation.

As an open PowerPoint file, the guide serves not only as a source of information, but also as a direct working and presentation template, enabling you to take immediate action and work directly on the topic of artificial intelligence in a team or with customers.

The Future Business Guide AI Empowerment is available as a digital edition in the shop of the Zukunftsinstitut.

E-learning
Digital working tools
Two laptops display websites about the digital working tools of the Zukunftsinstitut (Future Institute)

Task

  • Content strategy and consulting
  • Content creation
  • Art direction (layout & design)
  • Project management

Hard facts

  • How often? One-time publication
  • Distribution: Available in the Zukunftsinstitut shop, accessible via the Zukunftsinstitut's e-learning platform

Implementation

storyboard prepared and delivered extensive text and image content for the digital working tools “Megatrend Studio Globalization” and “Megatrend Studio New Work.” The content developed conveys the in-depth knowledge of megatrend experts in an accessible form through videos, infographics, data stories, and compact articles.

Contents of the working tools

The “Megatrend Studios” operate according to a structured three-step principle: from a fundamental understanding of trends to the identification of specific areas of action and the development of tailor-made future plans for organizations.
The content helps users move from abstract orientation to concrete action and develop individual measures for their specific business situation with targeted questions.

The working tools “Megatrend Studio New Work” and “Megatrend Studio Globalization” are available in the shop of the Zukunftsinstitut and can be accessed on the digital learning platform zukunftsinstitut.digital.

Trend studies
  • Cover of the Zukunftsinstitut's “Megatrend Study on Globalization” with an open double page spread featuring infographics
  • Spread double page from the megatrend study Globalization by the Zukunftsinstitut (Future Institute) with an illustration of people sitting around a stylized tree.
  • Cover of the megatrend study: Future of Work by the Zukunftsinstitut with an open double page spread featuring infographics
  • Spread from the “Megatrend Study: Future of Work” with a diagram on the topic of “Future of Work Era”
  • Cover of the “Future Report 2024” by the Zukunftsinstitut (Future Institute) and an open page with illustrations of chess pieces
  • Spread from the Zukunftsinstitut's “Future Report 2024” with aerial view of shipping containers in a port

Task

  • Content strategy and consulting
  • Content creation
  • Image editing
  • Art direction (layout & design)
  • Project management

Hard facts

  • How often? One-time publication
  • Distribution: Available as a print or digital edition in the Zukunftsinstitut shop

Implementation

The Zukunftsinstitut analyzes key developments in society, business, and culture. storyboard has taken on the task of translating these complex research findings into accessible and inspiring publications. Working closely with the Zukunftsinstitut team, three trend studies were produced to serve as a sound guide for decision-makers.

Contents of the trend studies
  • Megatrend study: Globalization: The study paints a clear picture of current developments in a networked world. It analyzes the shift toward a more qualitative form of globalization that focuses on social justice, sustainability, and international relations.
  • Megatrend Study: Future of Work: The study examines the concept of “New Work” and concludes that a critical revision is necessary. Based on 13 specific lines of development, presented as a systemic trend radar, the real changes in the world of work are clearly illustrated. This enables companies to position themselves for the future in line with the “New Work” megatrend.
  • Future Report 2024: The report brings together research findings on all megatrends, providing a dynamic overview of the most important developments. Complex topics such as the “happiness approach” or the need for “adaptive organizations” are made tangible through inspiring examples and transferred to a cross-industry level in order to provide impetus for action by individual companies.

All trend studies are available in print and digital editions in the Zukunftsinstitut shop.

Industry reports
  • Cover and several open double pages from the “Food Report 2025” by the Zukunftsinstitut (Future Institute)
  • Spread with infographic from the Zukunftsinstitut's “Food Report”
  • Cover and several open double pages from the Zukunftsinstitut's “Retail Report”
  • Spread double pages from the “Retail Report” published by the Zukunftsinstitut (Future Institute)

Task

  • Content strategy and consulting
  • Editorial management
  • Image editing
  • Art direction (layout & design)
  • Project management

Hard facts

  • How often? One-time publication
  • Distribution: Available as a print or digital edition in the Zukunftsinstitut shop

Implementation

In addition to comprehensive megatrend studies, storyboard produced two specialized industry reports for the Zukunftsinstitut. These reports offer an in-depth journalistic analysis of current developments and provide concrete ideas for action in everyday business life.

Contents of the industry reports
  • Food Report 2024: The report by renowned Austrian food trend researcher Hanni Rützler analyzes the profound changes in the food system. From new plant-based foods and cultured meat to sustainability concepts such as “zero waste,” the report highlights the most important food trends. With practical examples, infographics, and expert statements, the publication provides valuable insights for the entire food industry.
  • Retail Report: The retail sector is under pressure—not only from digitalization, but also from global crises. The report shows that resilience, flexibility, and strategic adaptability are key success factors. A trend radar reveals the structural changes in the industry and highlights practical solutions for the retail sector.

Both industry reports are available in the Zukunftsinstitut shop.

AI image generation
  • Several publications by the Zukunftsinstitut featuring AI-generated illustrations in abstract forms and bright colors
  • Several open publications from the Zukunftsinstitut with AI-generated visualizations, including a map and a waving European flag

Task

  • Creation of AI images

Implementation

In order to visually translate the often abstract future topics of the trend studies, the image editors at storyboard made targeted use of AI image generators. With the help of Midjourney, unique and perfectly tailored image worlds were created. This enriches the Zukunftsinstitut's publications with expressive imagery that illustrates the visionary content and makes it tangible.