Harry Potter Series: Solar Activated Book Covers (Reimagined)
An attempt to redesign the covers of Harry Potter. This is just for fun. None of the book covers are real :D
I originally made these designs as a transparent trick on Tumblr. At first, the users won't realize that each design has a "hidden message" on it until they click the image. You can check the post here and try the trick. Since the default background of a Tumblr post is white, the hidden image (which I set to white) will appear invisible. And then, once they click it, the image will be displayed in a lightbox that will reveal the hidden message.
I figured that it would be fun to re-imagine the book covers with the same trick.
After a bit of research, I found out that there is a thing called “photochromic” ink that can change or reveal colors if exposed to UV or sunlight. The colors will revert to original once you remove the light source.
Applying the same concept to the book covers, I thought maybe the white parts can be printed with light reactive inks, so once you go outside and expose the books to the sun, the hidden messages will be revealed. And when you go back inside, the secret images will immediately change back to white. I intentionally designed the covers to look independent even without the invisible elements so people won’t realize the hidden messages until the surprising reveal ;)
Philosopher's Stone/Sorcerer's Stone
Main imagery: Mirror of Erised
Hidden element: Harry's parents
Chamber of Secrets
Main imagery: Serpent/Basilisk
Hidden element: The scene where Fawkes (the phoenix) rescues them from the chamber
Prisoner of Azkaban
Main imagery: 'Have you seen this wizard' poster
Hidden element: Sirius Black
Hidden element: Sirius Black
Goblet of Fire
Main imagery: Goblet of Fire
Hidden element: Triwizard cup
Order of the Phoenix
Main imagery: Prophecies
Hidden element: Highlights on Harry's prophecy ball
Hidden element: Highlights on Harry's prophecy ball
Half-blood Prince
Main imagery: Pensieve
Hidden element: Slytherin locket
Hidden element: Slytherin locket
Deathly Hallows
Main imagery: Forest branches forming the Deathly Hallows Symbol
Hidden element: Patronus - Doe
Hidden element: Patronus - Doe
The covers in action: