Studio La Plage
A New Era for the Boy Who Lived
In 2022, as the Wizarding World marked a quarter-century since the first publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Pottermore Publishing embarked on a visionary project: to completely reimagine the cover art of J.K. Rowling’s iconic series for the digital generation. The creative agency tasked with this momentous endeavor was Studio La Plage, a London-based team of design experts known for their visual storytelling across global markets.
These redesigned covers were not simply aesthetic upgrades; they symbolized a broader shift in how the Harry Potter stories are experienced by readers and listeners today—on phones, tablets, e-readers, and audiobooks. Studio La Plage was given a singular mission: to create a fresh, dynamic visual identity that would resonate with long-time fans while also captivating a new generation.
Crafting a Digital Identity for a Global Phenomenon
According to Jack Bedford, Associate Creative Director at Studio La Plage, the assignment was both a challenge and an honor. “It was about celebrating moments before the action,” he explained. “These covers ask the question: ‘What happens next?’”
The team approached the project with an in-depth exploration of audience insights, studying the emotional themes most cherished by readers—friendship, bravery, mystery, and fantasy. With that understanding in hand, they created a flexible visual toolkit adaptable across 26 global markets, allowing for both localized adaptations and brand consistency.
The aesthetic goal was clear: to retain the magic and familiarity of the original series while offering something vivid, bold, and unmistakably digital.
The Seven Book Covers – A Journey in Motion
Each cover in the series was designed with precision and intention, often depicting moments never before featured on Harry Potter book jackets. Among the highlights:
Book 1: Philosopher’s Stone – A radiant image of Harry playing Quidditch, his broom slightly off-kilter, signaling both youthful energy and inexperience. The Gryffindor reds dominate the palette, anchoring the scene in House Pride.
Book 2: Chamber of Secrets – The unforgettable scene of Harry and Ron crashing the flying Ford Anglia into the Whomping Willow. The luminous night sky casts the scene in a magical glow, with careful attention to Hogwarts' silhouette in the distance.
Book 3: Prisoner of Azkaban – Bathed in moody purples, this cover captures the chaotic arrival of the Knight Bus, weaving through London streets with Hedwig at Harry’s side. A hidden gem: the Palace Theatre, home to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, subtly tucked into the scenery.
Book 4: Goblet of Fire – A striking underwater tableau of Harry braving the Great Lake during the Triwizard Tournament’s second task. A shark-headed Viktor Krum swims nearby—an Easter egg for the eagle-eyed fan.
Book 5: Order of the Phoenix – Hermione steps into the spotlight, her wand aglow in red as she confronts Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries. Ethereal prophecy orbs float in the background, enhancing the scene’s mystical tension.
Book 6: Half-Blood Prince – Albus Dumbledore takes center stage, drinking the potion in the cave. Ominous greens and swirling light create a haunting atmosphere of sacrifice and foresight.
Book 7: Deathly Hallows – The culmination of the saga unfolds in the Great Hall. A clash of light and dark, good and evil—Harry faces Voldemort one final time. The swirling brushstrokes capture the kinetic energy of their fateful encounter.
The Art of Detail – Easter Eggs and Canonical Integrity
Every cover crafted by Studio La Plage is teeming with details—some obvious, others for only the most dedicated fans to discover. Whether it’s the number on the Knight Bus or McGonagall’s tinsel-covered hat at the Yule Ball, no element was left to chance.
In fact, artistic liberties were occasionally taken in the name of narrative cohesion. Hedwig, Harry’s beloved owl, appears even in scenes she’s not canonically present in—simply because the designers felt she belonged in the visual language of Harry Potter. And yet, at every turn, Studio La Plage was careful to respect canonical accuracy, even deliberating how Voldemort might hold his wand.
More Than Just Covers – A Complete Digital Experience
Studio La Plage’s involvement went far beyond the seven core book covers. They also developed new artwork for the Hogwarts Library series, infusing titles like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and Quidditch Through the Ages with antique book aesthetics—leather-bound spines, gold foiling, and magical motifs, all rendered in a fresh digital format.
The collaboration extended into marketing campaigns as well, including a festive Yule Ball illustration for Christmas 2024 and the House Pride campaign in March. From animated birthday tributes to character-spotlight social media content, Studio La Plage created a suite of digital storytelling assets that brought the Wizarding World to life across every platform.
A British Twist – Enter Stephen Fry
A special set of covers was also created to mark the U.S. launch of Stephen Fry’s narration of the Harry Potter audiobooks. Studio La Plage leaned into the Britishness of the series, choosing iconic London and Scottish landscapes as backdrops—evoking the mood and magic of Fry’s quintessentially English voice. These included scenes like the Knight Bus rolling past London landmarks or the rolling hills of Scotland evoking the route to Hogwarts.
These covers weren’t just new illustrations—they were emotional triggers. “We wanted to show fantasy, emotion, bravery, and friendship,” said Bedford, “and most importantly, we wanted people to feel something.”
A Global Legacy for a Digital Generation
Studio La Plage’s redesign was more than a rebranding exercise—it was a reinvigoration of one of the most beloved franchises in literary history. Their illustrations helped ensure Harry Potter’s digital presence remained as enchanting as its printed roots, securing top rankings across Audible, Storytel, Amazon, and other major platforms.
The reception from fans was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Social media buzzed with admiration: “Every time I see a Wizarding World art cover, I want to live in this universe,” wrote one fan. Comments flooded in from all over the world, applauding the detail, emotion, and freshness of the new look.
From impactful marketing campaigns to award-nominated cover art, Studio La Plage’s work is now firmly woven into the legacy of the Wizarding World.
The Moment Before the Action
Perhaps the most enduring achievement of Studio La Plage’s redesign is its emphasis on anticipation. Their covers depict not climaxes, but thresholds—the split-second before Quidditch begins, before Hermione casts her spell, before Harry dives into battle.
It’s a design philosophy that captures the essence of the series: that magic often lies in possibility. In wonder. In the unlit candle that is just about to spark.
As Jack Bedford so succinctly put it: “Our new covers celebrate the moment before the action.”
In those moments—vibrant, daring, and alive—Studio La Plage has given Harry Potter new wings in the digital realm, ensuring that the Boy Who Lived continues to live on, turning pages on every screen, in every language, around the world.