Research and Reference

I started my research with Diagon Alley itself, looking at shops from the Harry Potter universe and their features. I wanted to make sure I could visualise my own shop as a part of the alley as well.

While researching Diagon Alley, I came across images of similar buildings from a street called Shambles in York. I like how they lean into the street with overhanging floors, something I'd like to incorporate into my own design.

As the brief specifies a Victorian shop, I also looked into Victorian architecture and shopfronts, creating a collection of reference images that I can use as I work.

This particular design caught my eye. I like the way the shopfront protrudes from the rest of the building. The area above the shop has been made symmetrical with dull colours, while the shopfront breaks the symmetry and uses more vivid colours. This really makes it stand out.

Finally, I made a small mood board of different colours, textures and features that I liked. I also found some photos of potion shop signs which could inspire my own design.

References:

Pinterest. (n.d.). sparrowinlondon | Victorian london, Victorian architecture, Amazing architecture. [online] Available at: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/302656037455241804/ [Accessed 6 Nov. 2023].

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Kleinhenz, M.N. (2016). Why Diagon Alley can never be repeated. [online] Orlando Informer. Available at: https://orlandoinformer.com/blog/universal-orlando/diagon-alley-can-never-repeated/ [Accessed 6 Nov. 2023].

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James, D. (2016). The Shambles—York’s Famous Medieval Street. [online] Britain and Britishness. Available at: https://britainandbritishness.com/2016/01/what-shambles-yorks-famous-medieval.html [Accessed 6 Nov. 2023].

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