When Eduardo met Mira
Our story starts in Leavesden Studios, based in the UK and cradle of the Harry Potter™ movies. Mira was engaged in what she thought was a four-month contract designing graphics for the initial Harry Potter film. Eduardo found Mira through Ludmila, his "Guardian Angel" and flew to England from Brazil for a two-month work experience project. There was obviously some artistic magic at play because we both stayed at Leavesden working on one of the most inspiring film franchises for the next ten years.
Mastering the art
Over the years our graphics room at Leavesden became a creative hub attracting all sorts of weird and wonderful VIPs. The defining moment was the day JK Rowling herself gave us the greatest accolade by making off with a pair of prop books we had designed. Another first lady that graced our work studio was Michelle Obama, who arrived with her kids to show them where one of their favourite movies came to life. With our door always open, we channelled elements of youthful inspiration from the cast members too, who frequently came in and out to fulfil school exam requirements.
Life between the Potters
We have created every element of the graphic design for the entire series of eight Harry Potter films. Iconic designs have been a key part of Harry Potter wizardry within and beyond the film properties. There were spells in between the movies though and we had to find work to fill the gaps. We worked on some other visually enticing films including fantasy adventure The Golden Compass, horror musical Sweeney Todd and science fiction tale City of Ember.
The Leavesden family
Working for inspirational Oscar winners Stuart Craig and Stephenie McMillan on the Harry Potter films meant being part of their creative family. While the set designers crafted the incredible visual world of Hogwarts™ with theatrical panache, we applied our own artistry to the task in hand. It was almost as if Leavesden became a Hogwarts of its own with each creative person sharing and being challenged by valuable techniques and processes.
Demands of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes set
Bringing to life the Weasleys' wizard shop was an alluring challenge for us. We were like children in a candy store, thinking about the wonderful graphic possibilities of a wizard joke shop but we needed some help designing over 100 products. That's when we first met talented graduate Lauren Wakefield, whose dynamic creativity was obvious from the start. Alongside a number of imaginative ‘elves' Lauren made her mark with exquisite packaging designs for the three-storey shop on Diagon Alley™, and has stayed with us ever since!
Go West
With the film journey complete another voyage of discovery began. Our trip to California in 2010 revealed the USA's passion for all things Potter and a love of a certain British quirkiness that the film embodies. With new ideas, new creative briefs, and new friends on the scene, we paved the way for our next creative success, Harry Potter Film Wizardry.
Minalima Towers
Now initiated into the realms of going it alone, we got the keys to our dream studio in central London. A little gem of a space - if you use your imaginative powers wisely - which could transport you directly to Grimmauld Place.
Woop Studios
Joined by Harriet Logan, and Mark Faulkner, we founded Woop, a creative project built around the fascinating world of collective nouns. Limited edition prints of our charming and whimsical designs have fun with over 15,000 phrases from the animal kingdom: A wake of vultures, an ostentation of peacocks, an embarrassment of pandas...
The Printorium
Our steadily expanding body of work builds on our wealth of experience designing for the movie industry. In setting up The Printorium we explore the rich visual appeal of the eight Harry Potter films from an artistic perspective. Our offering encompasses collectable fine art prints from unique and original designs, all produced in our London studio.