Art director Jennifer Moore watches as King Kong wreaks havoc on the miniature Chicago.

The cover for the August issue features a colorful image of famous Chicago architectural landmarks. At first glance, it looks like a collage of photos or illustrations of the buildings. Little do you know, that’s a set of miniature paper models made from the Build Your Own Chicago postcards, by local designer Matt Bergstrom.

For those of us who don’t read the cover photo credits (on page 10 of the August issue), this revelation may come as a surprise. For the folks who put together the cover—Bergstrom, art director Jennifer Moore, and photographer Anna Knott—the vibrant cover is a credit to their hard work and patience (Bergstrom built most of what you see).

Don’t forget to check out the rest of his models, including Wrigley Field, El trains, and even the Baha’i temple in Wilmette. Order a few and try your hand at assembling them. We hear it’s no easy task.

Photograph: Megan Lovejoy