Thursday, February 12, 2009

Harry Potter Redesign

Redesigned The Harry Potter book covers to look like classic Penguin Books.
Thanks everyone for your overwhelming interest in these!
Time will tell if anything happens with them...






270 comments:

  1. Oooh interesting! I like them. Ok so this series I've actually read and I love looking at cover artwork AFTER reading them to see the insight. I like what you've done.

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are awesome!
    Get them Published :)

    Call Scholastic! :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. this are gorgeous! i would buy them all if they were in print.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Absolutely gorgeous! I'm a big fan of that era of Penguin design; you've done the concept proud with these!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful... I won't buy it because It still is HP but they should be published... and for once it seems the book designer has actually read the books and not just the title (see Pratchett's american covers)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Inspiration maybe? http://www.flickr.com/photos/ollym/sets/72157612646893506/

    ReplyDelete
  7. I was inspired by Olly and Spacesick's current penguin projects, Olly with the videogames, and Spacesick with the movies you can read series. I for one just wanted to remake book covers.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Absolutely lovely. Well-chosen imagery from each story.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very nice, but presenting the rest of the title (after "Harry Potter") as a subtitle may be problematic. The type doesn't have to be the same size as "Harry Potter" but too small as is.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Most of Olly Moss's work is a ripoff from old graphic design books and old book covers so how can you ripoff a ripoff???/

    ReplyDelete
  11. They're lovely. I love modernism and I love Harry Potter.

    It's not a rippoff, just a very good design exercise that Olly started.

    ReplyDelete
  12. These are great! I love how you added your own style into the mix (though I agree that the subtitles should be given more prominence).

    ReplyDelete
  13. These are DELIGHTFUL! Admittedly, some of the story is given away in some of them, like #3... But how could anyone resist the woodcut aesthetic? Great design work. (Found this via Book Design Review.)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I disagree with the subtitle comments, i like the sizing and placement. Give a retro printing feeling to me, true to penguin.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cool design! If these were for sale, I would buy them. Really great job.

    ReplyDelete
  16. what's ugly about it???????????????? It's beautiful without getting fancy. It's wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think the illustrations and color choices are phenomenal, and give off a nostalgiac feel to the covers, but I find the kerning in the type distracting. Some letters are appropriately kerned, while others are too far apart. Other than that, good work

    ReplyDelete
  18. these are totally fab!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I think they are very cool- subtle, simple, style!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Got here through Joseph Sullivan's blog.

    Love these! Simple and graphic and you got to the core of the books. And they really do look like Penguin classics! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Brilliant. I might just have to print them out and wrap it on the original books :p

    ReplyDelete
  22. Genius. Thank you for making me very happy.

    ReplyDelete
  23. These are cool. #7 is rather disturbing, though. I love the Hogwarts seal on #1.

    Parker P

    ReplyDelete
  24. Absolutely enchanting. I would buy the whole set.

    ReplyDelete
  25. You should consider prints — perhaps, even, some large 3 foot wide prints like Penguin did for a number of its titles.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow, I would so buy these if they were available, even if they were just available as prints and not the whole book (call Scholastic!!!)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sweeeet!

    Masterfully done, Sir. I'd buy 'em even though I have no interest in Harry Potter otherwise.

    ReplyDelete
  28. These are so beautiful! The Penguin design treatment/style really makes the Harry Potter stories more serious (less like children's stories)and more like well respected literature(classics). It's nice to see these designs instead of the current illustrations that try to fit too much information in and gold lettering that are the covers now.I dig your work. Very impressive. I'd like to see these in a store now. :D

    ReplyDelete
  29. It's called "The Sorcerer's Stone" not Philosopher...

    ReplyDelete
  30. As pastiches they're fun. But they aren't Penguin Classics. They imitate Marber's 1962 grid, three bands of different width separated by rules, above an image. The Penguin Classics of the era used a simpler single band over the image, and Helvetica caps. This was Facetti's work. So were the Modern Classics, with, from the 60s into the 80s, a variety of grid formats. But your work, I repeat, folows the crime then fiction cover grid devised by Marber. www.penguincollectorssociety.org gives you a lead into other Penguin material.

    ReplyDelete
  31. No... I don't want to bicker, just to let my opinion be known. I think I don't like the way he used black, and I don't like the style at all. I think covers of America editions're wonderful! And I feel stunned that you're so excited, Ian Shimkoviak. Hmm, I didn't meant to offend anybody, hope you all understand.

    ReplyDelete
  32. These are beautiful! I will be checking back frequently to find out when they are available as prints!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love these! I found your blog through Design Work Life, and I'm now a loyal subscriber--and just like everyone else, I'll be checking back to buy the prints as soon as they're available

    ReplyDelete
  34. James Mackay, I did not intend that by saying these look like ‘Penguin Classics’ they followed the Classic format used, but simply classic as a well-known type of older penguin books.
    I’m aware that there were many grid formats, as I own the ‘Penguin by Design’ book which is where I first learned this. I chose the crime format because I liked the layout most for what I wanted to create. These are entirely and intentionally pastiches.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Finally! These books were in dire need of a complete re-design. I already own the series (though the covers are hidden away), but as soon as these covers come out (and I hope they do!) I'll be re-buying every damn book.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm with Shane. Beautiful work, just please correct the letter spacing.

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  37. Fantastic! I have some reservations about The Deathly Hallows cover... but otherwise very nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
  38. i just had a heart attack because of you.

    thanks a a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  39. We liked these a lot at Readerville. See http://www.readerville.com/index.php/journal/.

    ReplyDelete
  40. These are fabulous. I also want to purchase a set.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Those are seriously great designs. Really nice job. They have that amazing old Penguin book flair. If they were available I would be forced to purchase books that I already own.

    ReplyDelete
  42. wow wow wow excellent, i love harry and i just love the classic penguin cover

    ReplyDelete
  43. Great concept. The simplified forms help to relate these to larger themes in literature. Rather than just the basalisk and Griffendor's sword, you also have the knight and the dragon, the menace and victory.

    I love the psychological feel of the Deathly Hallows cover; that image is the essence of "you know who" and how his undoing was internal and very much his own. In general, excellent choice of subject matter.

    I don't feel the covers give anything away either. Unless, I'd already read the third book I wouldn't know that you'd pictured the time turner.

    And a response to the comment about the first book's title: the original British edition of was called the "Philosopher's Stone." The American version (for illiterate boneheads who don't want to mix intellect with magic) was called "The Sorcerer's Stone." I'm glad you went with the British title.

    ReplyDelete
  44. It's called "The Sorcerer's Stone" not Philosopher...

    It's both actually. In Europe it was released as 'The Philosopher's Stone' but in America it became 'The Sorcerer's Stone'.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thanks for writing back! It's nice to meet you, in that virtual web sort of way.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Bravo, these covers are gorgeous - I'm also loving the re-designed look for the Lemony Snicket series :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. These would be perfect as covers for a Kindle edition of the Harry Potter series.

    ReplyDelete
  48. it might have been nice for you to credit olly moss somewhere for your inspiration, but i do agree that they look great. www.ollymoss.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anna. "Good artists copy, great artists steal." --Olly Moss

    ReplyDelete
  50. If you notice on the 7th comment, I said that Olly and Spacesick were my inspiration...

    ReplyDelete
  51. No matter the inspiration, these designs are lovely and will hopefully be published!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. These are amazing! The New Yorker's Book Bench blog linked me here in their 'In the News' segments. Love them all especially the "Azkaban" cover.

    ReplyDelete
  53. These are fantastic! I would buy all seven again to have these covers on them! They make you think about each book in a different light, like seeing it again for the first time. Absolutely marvelous!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I absolutely adore these!

    ReplyDelete
  55. I'm not a HP fan, but these covers are just RIGHT. they hit the mark. i love the retro-ness.
    well done.

    ReplyDelete
  56. these are awesome. i'd buy the whole series. waiting for the prints...

    ReplyDelete
  57. these are brilliant. i love them.

    ReplyDelete
  58. how much will they be in print?

    ReplyDelete
  59. The cost will be determined by how much the printing is plus a poster tube, and approximate shipping. I should know in the next couple days.

    ReplyDelete
  60. oh man, i keep checking back on this post 'cause i'm super-interesting to hear what the cost will turn out to be.

    any idea what size you think the covers will be?

    i have the UK books with the "adult" covers on them... i think the size of my books are slightly different from editions.

    ReplyDelete
  61. "any idea what size you think the covers will be?"

    Unfortunately I won't be printing them sized to be placed on your HP books, I imagine there would be more legalities with that than just printing art prints.

    I will be providing poster prints, I'm going to have two options, one where you can buy all covers on one poster, or you can get each cover individually.

    ReplyDelete
  62. I have the "adult" version of the Bloomsbury HP books.
    It's strange that Scholastic didn't publish "adult" versions of the books like Bloomsbury.
    So, go on, call them!

    ReplyDelete
  63. I'm glad these will be prints! I'll certainly be in line for one (if not more...)

    ReplyDelete
  64. These are brilliant. I never much cared for the book cover design of the american editions, and the british versions are a little better. But these are simple, clean, and concise visual interpretations of the material. Well done! I posted a blurb about your project on my site to spread the love as well.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Oh, these are sublime! Although the American covers were fine when I was 10, they never felt like good, strong covers to me.

    But your covers look both modern and contemporary. They scream 20th century and I love that it removed the HP books from the icky GrandPre mould.

    Can't wait for the prints!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Very impressive conceptual re-designs of Harry potter book.

    Great ones.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I don't really get the 5th one... is that the egg in which time passed in the Department of Mystification ?

    ReplyDelete
  68. Love it. These should definitely be on the books.

    ReplyDelete
  69. These are AMAZING! I love everything about them. I agree with Frak... Get them published!!!

    ReplyDelete
  70. Hey, you should contact Raincoast too. They publish the editions in Canada, and they've been using the covers from Bloomsbury's UK editions. However, Raincoast & Bloombury parted ways last year, and it is very possible that they might be open to rebranding the books, in particular the adult editions. Most of the previous Raincoast adult eds have gone out of print -- the time is ripe for a fresh reprint with a great new look!

    ReplyDelete
  71. These are fantastic! Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Solid design-- I love it. My favorite is the 4th cover.... the maze is great.

    ReplyDelete
  73. High Schoolers across the country in 50 years will groan when their English teacher passes out these books :)

    ReplyDelete
  74. I LOVE these! I already own the UK first editions, but I would definitely buy the whole series again if these were published!

    ReplyDelete
  75. gag
    doesn't go with the stories at all

    ReplyDelete
  76. Muy buenas la tapas.Lastima que aca sale diferente

    ReplyDelete
  77. i'll definitely buy this if it's going to be published-!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Those covers look great! I really like them.

    ReplyDelete
  79. These are perfect, both in terms of the HP books and the Penguin style. You're a bloody genius.

    ReplyDelete
  80. It's called "The Sorcerer's Stone" not Philosopher...Eh, wrong. The British version of the book is indeed called HP and the Philosopher's Stone. The American version is Sorcerer's.

    BEAUTIFUL covers. I have sent them into MuggleNet.com, the web's leading Harry Potter website. Check it out! You might just get on there!

    ReplyDelete
  81. Kat,
    Thanks for sending them into MuggleNet.com, it would be cool if they went up there.

    And thanks everyone for the kind words.

    ReplyDelete
  82. I really like them as well, but it's not "Philosopher's stone" it's "Sorcerer's Stone".. Otherwise good job..

    ReplyDelete
  83. Comment #97, are you a troll or just ignorant?

    Amazing work - I was linked here through the redesigned Snicket covers, but the whole project is inspired.

    ReplyDelete
  84. hey

    i just had to turn this amazing work into a real book for my personal use:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrgann/sets/72157617610195626/

    ReplyDelete
  85. These are stunning... I especially love the choice of subject for book 7...

    I'm sorry, just reading these comments... did somebody really just post "It's sorcerer's stone, not philosopher's!" That just made my day.

    well done on these pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  86. perfectos. me encantaron

    ReplyDelete
  87. SO GOOD!

    i would totally buy them even if i already own all harry potter books in german and english. get them published!!!

    ReplyDelete
  88. Wendy, if you don't want to bicker or offend anyone, it would help to have a more eloquent and reasoned comment than "OMG ugly".

    ReplyDelete
  89. looks so good.
    Is clear the big influence of Saul Bass.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Any updates on this?! I really hope they get published!

    ReplyDelete
  91. No new news about getting them actually published... I've done all I that I can think to do.

    Something cool though, if you go to this years Harry Potter Azkatraz show in San Francisco (google it) a set of prints will be in the gallery show, and auctioned off with the proceeds going to a children's charity. Cool stuff.

    Maybe someone influential in the book industry will see them and help get them published!

    ReplyDelete
  92. I was completely blown away, very nice designs.

    ReplyDelete
  93. I would love these on my DVDs of the films. They's miles beyond the crap that the movies come with.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Just fantastic! They look like covers of my parents' old paperback books :-D. Reminds me a bit of my early childhood.

    ReplyDelete
  95. I would TOTALLY buy the entire series if they looked like this!!

    ReplyDelete
  96. That looks gorgeous. They are so iconic and descriptive, much better at conveing the subject of the story then the curent covers.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Yeh they’re aesthetically brilliant but the essence of Harry potter is lost. It was originally a children’s book for children. Yes it has grown into an international all age’s phenomenon but it seems that when the adults became involved the book itself was lost in the advertising etc. and therefore I don’t believe these covers suit the book, as beautiful as they are. I’m glad the book is appealing to different age groups but it should still essentially be a child’s book and not adjusted to the tastes of an adult generation whose sole intentions are to keep them in pristine condition in the hope that in later years they can be soled at a profit. That is not what Harry potter is about

    ReplyDelete
  98. Very Penguin, very nostalgic, incredible empathy towards our established and much loved publisher.
    Just stumbled over your re-design of the Harry Potter books - design genius and totally collectable. love the retro graphic and print style.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Hmm ... the designs are interesting, but if I'd seen them without the words, I'd never think of the Harry Potter books. My personal vote still goes for the Bloomsbury children's version. Those feel just right.

    ReplyDelete
  100. These are great! I love the symbolism. Harry Potter is the best, I saw the movie like the day it came out. This is my review;

    http://theguidetoteens.blogspot.com/2009/07/wizards-and-chum.html

    ReplyDelete
  101. Dear brother,
    this very nice coverpage

    ReplyDelete
  102. Absolutely lovely..nice post..

    ReplyDelete
  103. Can you help me ?
    What represents the last cover ? (Harry potter and the deathly hallows) I can't remember or is it your imagination ? I don't know ! Is Harry the baby ?

    ReplyDelete
  104. OOH i forgot i like it !
    These are wonderful !
    Nice job

    ReplyDelete
  105. gorgeous, bur some historys are given away D: couldn't be the real covers, for those who haven't read the books, bur just perfect to ilustrate then *_*

    ReplyDelete
  106. I HAVE AN IDEA! Make them into DUST COVERS so instead, people who already have the Harry Potter series can use it as there own covers for their HP books!

    ReplyDelete
  107. I love these! Very nice job. I do agree with the poster with the dust cover idea. I would definately by them...

    ReplyDelete
  108. I just came across your blog and I am pleasantly surprised. These are seriously amazing! So much better, than the original covers. I really hope that some day the HP are reprinted with these covers. I'd buy them. I think the DH is particularly neat. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  109. Качественное создание сайтов - для вас

    ReplyDelete
  110. I think these are so amazing. You definitely did great work.dallas cosmetic dentist

    ReplyDelete
  111. i HAVE l the books but i dont understand the picture on book six can some one please explain it to me? btw im 14 and single

    ReplyDelete
  112. dont worry i understand now its the inferi hands and water and the bottem of the boat

    ReplyDelete
  113. M.S.,
    You did a clever job and the exercise is a great one. Pay no mind to those negative comments. I have never understood why people find it necessary to state negatives for no other benefit than hearing their opinion stated to themselves.

    “Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own.”
    Harold Coffin

    Keep growing. No artist has ever created anything original except God.

    - oomingmak

    ReplyDelete
  114. just stumbled upon this. these are are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  115. Harry poteri the twisted minds of many people. And you liked. I want to return time wizards

    ReplyDelete
  116. The penguin design is absolutely awesome

    ReplyDelete
  117. I love your designs!!! I grew up loving the harry potter books, but I've always disliked the book art. I wish I could replace my current harry potter collection with your book designs!

    ReplyDelete
  118. Your designs are amazing! They're simple and the covers show the highlight of the story. Are the books available in these covers?

    ReplyDelete
  119. Brilliant knockoffs of early 60s graphic design. For that reason, they kind of depress me. They look like the kind of shopworn, yellowing paperbacks I'd have found in an used bookshop as a teenager.

    ReplyDelete
  120. Bloomsbury is about to release an official redesign, but I think your covers did a much better job of capturing each story.

    I like these so much I included them in my latest blog post (http://tobeshelved.blogspot.com/2010/04/feeling-horrible-for-harry.html).

    Keep up the great work!

    ReplyDelete
  121. Alaina,

    I appreciate commenting about my version of the covers on your blog.

    I saw these new Bloomsbury covers today on a couple different sites and was surprised about the ammount of people comparing mine to the official paperbacks that will be relased. While I can't say mine are better, it is a nice feeling to see people are sill intersted in these over a year later.

    I dream that someday Scholastic in the U.S. would publish mine in paperback. Of course I would probably have to drop the Marber grid which is Penguin's property, but I know I could keep the same overall feel. Lofty dreams, yes.

    ReplyDelete
  122. Very interesting this covers.I will buy them all tomorow when I go to the library.

    ReplyDelete
  123. Very well written article for those thinking about Harry Poter. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  124. will you ever be selling prints of these? or did you already and I missed it?

    ReplyDelete
  125. I am not legally allowed to sell prints of these

    ReplyDelete
  126. These are really wonderful.Nice job Mr.Creative.

    ReplyDelete
  127. Oo I love them because I like and I found that is very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  128. Keep growing. No artist has ever created anything original except God. I agree with that!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  129. Harry Poter my favorite caracter

    ReplyDelete
  130. They're sweet. I love modernism, cubic art and I love Harry Potter.

    ReplyDelete
  131. I think they are very cool. I like allot what you've done.

    ReplyDelete
  132. I love Harry Potter and you Portray Harry Porter series redesign very nicely. I'm impressed.

    ReplyDelete
  133. it is good that we can see something like this. Design it is great and we could learn something from this. Thanks for your efforts

    ReplyDelete
  134. Thanks for sharing this, it's a great post!

    ReplyDelete
  135. Get excited and enthusiastic about you own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire - you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away.

    ReplyDelete
  136. Superb Designs. Many thanks for sharing these beautiful designs. I especially liked the 7th design "And the Deathly Hallows". Kudos to you :)

    ReplyDelete
  137. To be honest the Harry Potter books I do not like, I prefer watching movies.

    ReplyDelete
  138. Thank you for the share, keep impressing.

    ReplyDelete
  139. Good stuff, nice to see a lot of ones suitable for portfolios/photo blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  140. I wish you could put nav links for each section of the huge list. Otherwise, terrific.

    ReplyDelete
  141. Wow great collection. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  142. thx 4 sharing these r great!

    ReplyDelete
  143. I love Manifest! Great work all round though.

    ReplyDelete
  144. My portfolio is based on Sharpfolio :) sweet collection!

    ReplyDelete
  145. Cool selection, good for design inspiration too!

    ReplyDelete
  146. Very impressive collections and I like the fact that is hows how much vareity of deisgn you can have using one syste.

    ReplyDelete
  147. Great collection. Irresistible has been one of my favorites. some more good themes can be found here

    ReplyDelete
  148. I can see this article topping web hit ranks for a long time to come!

    ReplyDelete
  149. ou man.., I’ve never seen an article like this.
    It was very nice reading it.
    mscorley.blogspot.com is awesome!
    keep up the good work, I’ll definitely come back to mscorley.blogspot.com!

    buy foreclosed homes

    ReplyDelete
  150. Thank for your great post..

    ReplyDelete
  151. These are awesome!
    Get them Published :)

    Call Scholastic! :D

    ReplyDelete
  152. Harry Pottcha? Cool, my kids would love these!

    ReplyDelete
  153. What a wonderful design.I am very glad to see it

    ReplyDelete
  154. The redesign is a bit weird though. I prefer the original design. Sorry.
    Body detox

    ReplyDelete
  155. Very creative. I found you through
    (http://st-eutychus.com/2010/harry-potter-and-the-penguin-classic/) and was very interested in the way in which you worked to represent the stories! Very insightful. Thanks for putting these out there. I've been thinking about the way in which cover design and art alongside text in books (i'd be interested in your take - (http://itiablog.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/are-books-beautiful-anymore/)

    Ps: i don't normally include links in comments but I hope that you do come and joint the conversation!

    ReplyDelete
  156. I really liked 2nd and 7th design.... Many thanks for sharing....

    Payroll Processing Services

    ReplyDelete
  157. Oo I love them because I like and I found that is very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  158. These are perfect, both in terms of the HP books and the Penguin style. You're a bloody genius.

    ReplyDelete
  159. Hello There,
    Really Interesting I love all stuff that you have done.Keep it up.
    Thanks,
    John

    ReplyDelete
  160. I suggest this site to my friends so it could be useful & informative for them also. Great effort.
    I am also being a part of flowers delivery in kuwait

    ReplyDelete
  161. A lot of interesting things found on your blogs, like the topic! The author thanks and success in the blog!

    buy propecia online

    ReplyDelete
  162. Really nice article, thanx for posting

    ReplyDelete
  163. accentually very interesting Redesigned The Harry Potter book covers .thank you shaing
    Sweet pick up lines

    ReplyDelete
  164. It’s really great post. I would like to appreciate your design and would like to tell to my friends. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  165. Nice effort, very informative, this will help me to complete my task.

    ReplyDelete
  166. Your article is written very content, All of the projects look great! Keep the Ball Rolling. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  167. Absolutely lovely. Well-chosen imagery from each story.

    Thanks for sharing this post.

    ReplyDelete
  168. I quite love the Deathly Hallows one. Great representation of the child-like "creature" in Harry's afterlife... world... thing.

    ReplyDelete
  169. The redesigns are awesome. I especially liked the 1st and 5th design.
    Website Redesign | Website Redesign Company

    ReplyDelete