Pottermore Publishing Unveils Magical New Covers for “Harry Potter” E-Books and Audiobooks

by · May 31, 2022

Pottermore Publishing has brought scenes from each Potter book to life in new covers for the series’ e-books and audiobooks that have been revealed today.

The new digital cover art was designed by Studio La Plage and “made with today’s generation in mind.” Three of the books in the series will have cover designs featuring scenes that have never appeared on the front of the books before. The head of interactive arts at Studio La Plage, Jack Bedford, revealed that it was “a challenge and an honour” to redesign the Potter covers for a new digital age as well as old and new readers alike. To achieve this, Studio La Plage has focused on incorporating hidden details into the cover imagery and showcasing moments in each book that take place before the action.

We set out to create exciting artwork that had our digital readers and listeners at heart. The aesthetic had to inspire a new audience whilst keeping its existing fanbase [sic] captivated. We achieved this by layering in hidden details from the stories, bringing the rich, magical moments of the Wizarding World world [sic] to life. Our new covers celebrate the moment before the action. They invite readers to experience moments of fantasy, emotion, bravery and friendship – ultimately asking the question: ‘What happens next?’

 

All seven "Harry Potter" digital book covers designed by Studio La Plage.

 

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire shows Harry in the depths of the Great Lake, surrounded by merpeople, during the second task of the Triwizard Tournament. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix depicts Dumbledore’s Army in the Hall of Prophecy, with Hermione bravely facing off against Death Eaters. The last of the new scenes is on the cover of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and features the Flying Ford Anglia, which has graced book covers before, but this time, it’s pictured crashing into the Whomping Willow.

The four other digital book covers in the series have new interpretations of familiar scenes. The first book in the series shows Harry during his first Quidditch match. The cover of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban depicts Harry’s first encounter with the Knight Bus in Little Whinging and features bus conductor Stan Shunpike. The green-tinged cover of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince shows Harry and Dumbledore in the cave with Voldermort’s potion, and the cover of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows depicts Harry and Voldermort in the Great Hall during their final battle.

Mike Richards, head of marketing at Pottermore Publishing, shared his excitement for the new character-led cover designs that will now appear on e-book and audiobook library shelves and best-seller lists across the world.

It’s been so exciting to create new, character-led imagery that matches the enthusiasm of the next generation of readers and listeners and ignites their imaginations afresh.

While we’re sad to see the end of Olly Moss’s digital covers, we love the approach that Studio La Plage has taken with the new cover scenes. What’s more, these new covers have been released just in time for Wizarding World Digital’s celebration of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the United Kingdom. Pottermore has also hinted at a new readers’ campaign titled Starting Harry Potter, which will launch in July. While we don’t have any further information, we can speculate that this might follow a template set out by 2020’s Harry Potter at Home, and 2021’s Harry Potter Reading Magic, by introducing younger readers to the series.

What do you think of the new e-book and audiobook covers? Do you have a favorite design?

Press Release

DYNAMIC NEW COVER ART FOR HARRY POTTER EBOOKS
AND AUDIOBOOKS BRING THE STORIES ALIVE
FOR THE DIGITAL GENERATION

This summer, the Harry Potter series will be getting a radical new look for those enjoying the stories on digital devices. Twenty-five years after J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was first published in print in the UK, the audiobooks and e[-b]ooks continue to ride high [on] the best[-]seller lists, with new generations discovering them every year. Now Pottermore Publishing, the Wizarding WorldTM’s global digital publisher, has brought its cover art bang up to date with a dynamic new suite of cover designs for the seven Harry Potter e[-b]ooks and audiobooks.

Bringing both iconic and lesser-known scenes from these beloved stories alive in thrilling detail for fans and new readers alike, the new cover art invites the next generation of readers and listeners to jump into the action and discover the Harry Potter books on their phones, tablets, e-readers and other devices.

The designs bring to vivid colour scenes from the books, some never before depicted on the covers, such as the flying Ford Anglia crashing into the Whomping Willow, Hermione facing down the Death Eaters, and the depths of the Great Lake, as well as giving [sic] new perspectives on iconic moments such as Harry’s first Quidditch match, his first encounter with the Knight Bus, Dumbledore drinking Voldemort’s potion, and Voldemort facing Harry in the final Battle of Hogwarts. By placing the much-loved characters centre stage, the covers show in brilliant detail how Harry and his friends progress and grow up through each year of Hogwarts, as they encounter challenges and adventures together. Incorporated into the designs are a multitude of characters and beautifully realised, often subtle canonical details to delight and intrigue readers and listeners, whether they are die[-]hard fans or new to the stories.

Skillfully crafted by creative design experts Studio La Plage, the covers were made with today’s generation in mind. The aim was to give a fresh but instantly recognisable treatment to the stories – whether they are being read on digital devices at home or on the move.

Mike Richards, Pottermore Publishing Head of Marketing, said:
‘We know that the Harry Potter books continue to hold a place in the hearts of millions all over the world and even now, regularly occupy places across audiobook and e[-b]ook best[-]seller lists. It’s been so exciting to create new, character-led imagery that matches the enthusiasm of the next generation of readers and listeners and ignites their imaginations afresh.’

Jack Bedford, Associate Creative Director at Studio La Plage, said:
‘It was both a challenge and an honour to take the legacy of the Harry Potter covers and create a new visual approach fit for the digital age. Most importantly, we wanted to retain the essence of what we know and love most about the Wizarding World. We set out to create exciting artwork that had our digital readers and listeners at heart. The aesthetic had to inspire a new audience whilst keeping its existing fanbase [sic] captivated. We achieved this by layering in hidden details from the stories, bringing the rich, magical moments of the Wizarding World world [sic] to life. Our new covers celebrate the moment before the action. They invite readers to experience moments of fantasy, emotion, bravery and friendship - ultimately asking the question: ‘What happens next?’ We can’t wait to share them.’

The seven cover designs will be adopted in all territories across the digital Harry Potter e[-b]ooks and audiobooks from 31st May, almost 25 years on from the first book’s publication in June 1997. They’ll be just in time to join in with the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the first book’s publication in the UK in June and in time to join in with an exciting new readers’ campaign, ‘Starting Harry Potter’, which will be launched on WizardingWorld.com in July.

 

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