Bringing magic to life

> Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima’s fantastical graphics and prints help craft Rowling’s unique world into reality onscreen

magical creatures.

“It was quite an organic transition for most people because quite a lot of the people who had worked on the Harry Potter films stayed together for Fantastic Beasts,” Mina told Reuters in the graphic designers’ MinaLima studio.

“The things that made it naturally easy for anyone creatively was that it was a new location, a specific period in time as opposed to a contemporary period referencing historical periods (like in Harry Potter) so having those markers ... are actually kind of really good anchors to build on.”

The duo came up with all sorts of graphic designs for the movie – from a poster for The Blind Pig speakeasy to the Magical Congress of the United States of America’s insignia.

“Newt’s passport, like all his little belongings and all the medicines labels he uses to treat the beasts, we had to do one by one,” Lima said.

The designers start work six months before shooting with visual research and questions for Rowling to get more information for items like Scamander’s passport.

“We need to ask Jo those things like what’s his birthday, where was he born, all those details that you might not see,” Mina said. “We have to create the integrity of a piece.”

Mina and Lima are exhibiting their work at the four-storey House of MinaLima, where fans can view graphic art prints from the films.

On display across the building’s wooden floors and draped windows are posters, signage, front pages and props.

“It’s completely immersive, you feel that perhaps the building could be part of that universe of the wizarding world,” Mina said.

“We wanted people to feel that they are maybe in Diagon Alley, but now a bit in New York as well,” Lima added. – Reuters