Mary GrandPré, Harry Potter Illustrator

From Art School to Iconic Illustrator

Born in 1954, Mary GrandPré is an American illustrator best known for her work on the U.S. editions of the Harry Potter series, published by Scholastic. She studied at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where she developed her distinctive style. Over the years, GrandPré earned multiple accolades for her contributions to children's literature.

Creating the Visual Identity of Harry Potter

GrandPré illustrated all seven Harry Potter books for the American market, designing the iconic cover art and chapter illustrations that became instantly recognizable. She also created the  Harry Potter title logo with a lightning bolt-shaped "P", which became a global standard—appearing not only on books but also in films and merchandise.

Exclusive Access and a Unique Approach

One of the few artists granted early access to J.K. Rowling’s manuscripts, GrandPré was able to read each book before its release to develop her illustrations. Unlike many illustrators, she never accepted private commissions related to the series, adding to the mystique surrounding her work. After the first three books, she renegotiated her contract with Scholastic to reflect the growing success of the series.

A Legacy Beyond the Wizarding World

In 2000, she made a one-time exception by creating original color illustrations in 25 copies of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire—now prized collector’s items. Outside of the Harry Potter universe, GrandPré also contributed to animated films like Antz (1998) and Ice Age (2002), showing her range as a visual storyteller.

Together with Thomas Taylor, who illustrated the first Harry Potter book for the UK, GrandPré is regarded as one of the most influential artists in shaping the visual legacy of the series.