Ruth Winick

Ruth Wallington, credited as Ruth Winick, is an Irish designer who worked as a graphic artist on the film adaptations Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, notably the iconic pentagon package design for Chocolate Frogs and the packaging for Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, as well as the original esthetic of the Daily Prophet, along with inventing some of the headlines it featured.

She also later worked as a draughtsman on the third and fourth films.

Career

After gaining experiences in Australia, Ruth had an interview with John King, one of the Art Directors of the Harry Potter films, who told her to meet Production Designer Stuart Craig. Both of them reviewed her portfolio and she got the job within a week of moving to London.

Out of the assignments she was given, the pentagon shape of the Chocolate Frog Card was initially drawn by Craig, who told Ruth to "think classical". She researched Gothic architecture and incorporated its elements. Her designs on the Bertie Bott's packaging were shown to and approved by Craig and Set Decorator Stephenie McMillan. J. K. Rowling also adored the designs.

As of 2021, Ruth runs "Hello Ruth", which specialised in high quality photo prints, personalised photo gifts, and origami greeting cards.

Selective gallery

Chocolate Frog packaging from the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans packaging

Various titles featured in the Daily Prophet published on 12 September 1991

Behind the scenes

• On props, her credited name is used as an homage, such as Rubens Winikus on the Skele-Gro bottle and Rufus Winikus on the Daily Prophet.
• She designed "Filibusters Fireworks" but her prototype ultimately did not make the final cut of the films, however, the same graphics she designed could later be seen used on Dr Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks.