Daniel Schmelling - Designer
Professional Freelance Artist & Graphic Designer, specializing in Science Fiction and Fantasy. I love space and the universe!
Request a quote
Verified identity
Overview
Hello, my name is Daniel, as you probably guessed and I am a freelance artist and designer dedicated to environments, landscapes and scenery art, including space art, for different kinds of media such as for websites, books and more. Besides, I also provide photo editing and graphic design.
Very early on in my career, I had a kind of fascination with landscapes, space and environments. There are so many different kinds of characters in landscapes, from the good natured, like vibrant with water flowing, the sun shining between tree crowns, to the darker elements, like thunderstorms, deep gorges and volcanic skies.
My approach to new projects is very explorative, abstract, rough and open minded.
I use a high variety of tools and techniques to create the worlds envisioned for your book.
For example: 3D Fractals, Overpainting-Techniques, Textures, Mattepainting, Photo-Manipulation, Minimalism, Abstracting complex structures, Graphic Design.
Little inside on how your covers are being approached:
It is actually fairly simple.
-Standard project typically swims around 1000 EUR. ( Approx. $1200 )
-Least starts at 800 EUR. ( Approx. $950 )
Artwork/Illustration only: 850 EUR ( Approx. $1015 )
Ebook cover design and graphic design: 980 EUR ( Approx. $1100 )
Print paperback cover design and graphic design: 1000 EUR ( Approx. $1200 )
Ebook + Print, paperback design and graphic design included: 1500 EUR ( Approx. $1800 )
Additional content:
Social Media Cover Photos: + 100 EUR ( Approx. $120 )
Social Media Adverts
(Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Emailings, Website, Banner etc.) : + 150 EUR ( Approx. $180 )
3D-Mockups(five different views of the paperback book cover) : + 200 EUR ( Approx. $240 )
Web Adverts and Emailing( 10 different formats for web and emailing ): + 150 EUR ( Approx. $180 )
I always let payments to be made in installments, so that it can be managed in a flexible way. Usually I split the installments in several parts, but if the price is reaching a critical point for an individual, I grant the price to be paid in a monthly matter. Of course those payment plans can be changed, if the client is able to pay much faster than expected. The last installment is not neccessarily equal to the estimated finishing date, which means that the finishing date can be planned independently.
Do not hesitate to ask, if anything is unclear.
If you are interested and would like to work with me or have any questions regarding my service or work, please feel free to send me a request.
I am based in Germany so my design skills can be offered in both German(native) and English(fluent).
I look forward to your projects!
Cheers,
Daniel
Very early on in my career, I had a kind of fascination with landscapes, space and environments. There are so many different kinds of characters in landscapes, from the good natured, like vibrant with water flowing, the sun shining between tree crowns, to the darker elements, like thunderstorms, deep gorges and volcanic skies.
My approach to new projects is very explorative, abstract, rough and open minded.
I use a high variety of tools and techniques to create the worlds envisioned for your book.
For example: 3D Fractals, Overpainting-Techniques, Textures, Mattepainting, Photo-Manipulation, Minimalism, Abstracting complex structures, Graphic Design.
Little inside on how your covers are being approached:
It is actually fairly simple.
1. Thumbnails and mock-ups for composition and story telling would be created first and also what elements should be presented to tell the viewer what the book is about. These are usually about 2 - 3 thumbnails. Sometimes, if the author has a clear vision about the cover, the thumbnail part is skipped.
Moodboard with references for colours, textures, elements and more will be made as well.
2. After the decision for a thumbnail that works best for the final cover, it would go into the stage of refinement and creating the final rendering. After the thumbnail as a foundation has been decided, minor changes and adding elements can be made, but they must not change the overall design.
3. Once the cover art is done or in a stage of getting done, the graphic design aspect with choosing fonts with the client and making them flow with the overall theme of the book would come into place.
Exchanging ideas and feedback happens via direct messaging on Reedsy.
Pricing:
Ranging from 800 - 4000 EUR. ( Approx. $950 - $4800 )-Standard project typically swims around 1000 EUR. ( Approx. $1200 )
-Least starts at 800 EUR. ( Approx. $950 )
Artwork/Illustration only: 850 EUR ( Approx. $1015 )
Ebook cover design and graphic design: 980 EUR ( Approx. $1100 )
Print paperback cover design and graphic design: 1000 EUR ( Approx. $1200 )
Ebook + Print, paperback design and graphic design included: 1500 EUR ( Approx. $1800 )
Additional content:
Social Media Cover Photos: + 100 EUR ( Approx. $120 )
Social Media Adverts
(Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Emailings, Website, Banner etc.) : + 150 EUR ( Approx. $180 )
3D-Mockups(five different views of the paperback book cover) : + 200 EUR ( Approx. $240 )
Web Adverts and Emailing( 10 different formats for web and emailing ): + 150 EUR ( Approx. $180 )
I always let payments to be made in installments, so that it can be managed in a flexible way. Usually I split the installments in several parts, but if the price is reaching a critical point for an individual, I grant the price to be paid in a monthly matter. Of course those payment plans can be changed, if the client is able to pay much faster than expected. The last installment is not neccessarily equal to the estimated finishing date, which means that the finishing date can be planned independently.
Do not hesitate to ask, if anything is unclear.
If you are interested and would like to work with me or have any questions regarding my service or work, please feel free to send me a request.
I am based in Germany so my design skills can be offered in both German(native) and English(fluent).
I look forward to your projects!
Cheers,
Daniel
Languages
English
Fiction
Dystopian
Epic Fantasy
Post-Apocalyptic
Thriller & Suspense
Urban Fantasy
Non-Fiction
Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences
Nature
Photography
Awards
- 3DTotal Excellence Award
Work experience
Freelance Artist and Graphic Designer
Self-employed
January, 2014
–
Present
(over 7 years)
Creating Promotional Paintings, Graphic Design, Photo Editing/Optimization/Retouching, Book Covers, Photo Manipulation, Concept Art, Backgound Art
Elve Illustration
Self-employed
November, 2019
–
November, 2019
(less than a minute)
Elve illustration Science Artwork done for Science Magazine Vol 367, Issue 6474.
Elves are a round shaped halo very very high in the atmosphere that occur together with lightning, especially Blue Jets and Red Sprites, which are very large types of lightning that happen above thunderstorms.
Cloud Iterations Illustration
Self-employed
November, 2019
–
December, 2019
(about 1 month)
Cloud iterations pictures illustrating the progress of lightning going through phases from the birth of lightning as a little spark to a gamma ray burst and elve and final stage of lightning we see with the naked eye.
Forever Fantasy Online Series
Self-employed
September, 2018
–
April, 2019
(7 months)
Book cover illustration for the triple book series Forever Fantasy Online
Background Artist
Self-employed
November, 2016
–
December, 2016
(about 1 month)
Background Art for exhibition America after the Ice - Man and Megafauna in the New World.
Featured Artwork
Self-employed
August, 2016
–
August, 2016
(less than a minute)
Artwork featured "On The Edge" in 2DArtist Magazine Gallery.
Concept Artist/Skybox Artist
Self-employed
June, 2015
–
January, 2017
(over 1 year)
Background Art, Skyboxes for Shallow Space Game.
Concept Artist
Self-employed
March, 2015
–
September, 2016
(over 1 year)
Design, promitional paintings, concept art ingame content.
T.S. Orgel - der Blausteinkrieg Book Cover
Self-employed
January, 2015
–
March, 2015
(about 2 months)
early concept art and scribbles fantasy novel.
The Art Of Daniel Schmelling Artbook
Self-employed
August, 2014
–
May, 2016
(over 1 year)
Freelance Art / Design Project, Artbook Layout and Graphic Design
Graphic Design Print
Art Platz Berlin
April, 2014
–
September, 2014
(5 months)
Graphic Design, Corporate Design, Digital Illustration
Portfolio (12 selected works)
Forever Fantasy Online (FFO Book 1)
Rachel Aaron, Travis Bach
In the real world, twenty-one-year-old library sciences student Tina Anderson is invisible and under-appreciated, but in the VR-game Forever Fantasy Online she's Roxxy--the respected leader and main tank of a top-tier raiding guild. In the real world, her brother James Anderson is a college drop-out struggling under debt, but in FFO he's famous--an explorer who's gotten every achievement, done... read more
Last Bastion (FFO Book 2)
Rachel Aaron, Travis Bach
Bastion was supposed to mean safety. It was supposed to mean a break from fighting for their lives and a chance to talk to someone who might actually know what’s going on. Access to their gold and some beer would have been nice, too. They got none of those things. When Tina and James arrive in the capital, they find a city on fire in more ways than one. Players and non-players hunt each other ... read more
Reflection: The Final Principle of Light (3)
Nicholas Authement
August and Riley have been separated in different pockets of time, AI partners swapped. In the past, Hoddgins discovers the unconscious August and failing Athena in the Garden of Eden, forcing an uneasy acquaintance. They along with others must put an end to the king’s destructive path before his scheme fully unfolds at the annual Festival of Life.Meanwhile in the present, Riley discovers Ares... read more
The Once King (FFO Book 3)
Rachel Aaron, Travis Bach
Leylia’s secret could unite them all or lead them to an eternity of undeath.After the loss of Bastion, everyone who’s not a zombie has holed up in FFO’s sole remaining safe haven: the lowbie town of Windy Lake. But the undead armies never rest, and it’s only a matter of time before the Once King’s forces come to crush what’s left of life in this world. But Tina, James, and the rest of the play... read more
Somnas (The Monarchs Collection Book 1)
Patrick Ament
Once you've been bit by a drastworm, there's only one choice that matters. 'Die now' or 'die later'.Marya lives with her family on an isolated, peaceful farm in the land of Faya. Stories of heroes, magics, and grand cities are just that--stories. When Marya's eldest brother discovers that a lethal parasite has burrowed into his flesh, there's no hope of survival. The family must prepare to los... read more
Lost in the Moments that Follow
Adam B Davy
"A beautifully wrought, highly interior drama that challenges you to look at the beating heart of humanity as it quietly bleeds." - Bill Moran, author of Oh God Get Out Get Out ------------------------------------------------- The crew of lunar outpost System One can not recall life before the Earth went silent. They call it 'the Black'. With their past erased, and in the wake of the planet's ... read more
A return of a long defeated threat changes everything for a Master Shaper of the elements.Serving as the Master of Spirit leaves Tolan with little time for anything beyond teaching. There’s no time for the research he enjoys, no time to explore ancient ruins, and no time to search for strange elementals in the land beyond the bleak waste where no magic can exist. During a Selection of new stud... read more
Blackworth (The Monarchs Collection Book 2)
Ament, Patrick
The Monarchs Collection (The Malicide Saga Book 1)
Ament, Patrick
In the Orbit of Sirens (1) (The Song of Kamaria)
Bruno, T. A.
Arisen (The Shards of Etherious Book 1)
Crooks, Colin J.D.
Daniel has 15 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Daniel is awesome to work with! I've now worked with him multiple times and I plan to do so again. His covers always draw attention and stand out in a crowd. Great work yet again!
Thomas Bruno, May 2021
Daniel is the best - and to prove it, I’ll begin with a bit of comparative analysis. When I first submitted my brief for a cover art commission, I received two offers right away. One was a form letter - obviously a prefabricated message that the guy sends out to everybody. The other was Daniel’s - his message was personalized - it really seemed to kick off the actual partnership. It also did no...
Read more
E.L. Ward, April 2021
Daniel is always great! This isn't the first time I've hired him, and it won't be the last! His talent, professionalism, and communication are a client's dream, and the final product is always mindblowing! Thanks for the great work again!
Thomas Bruno, January 2021
It was a pleasure to work with Daniel. He did a great job bringing our vision to life and saturating it with the exact kind of emotion I wanted it to convey. During the process, he updated me every day and was incredibly open to all of my requests and suggestions.
I would definitely recommend his services to anyone looking for high fantasy illustration or cover.
Sara Pawlow, January 2021
Daniel produced work of extremely high quality in a timely fashion. He worked with me extensively to determine what I wanted and then quickly produced an initial design and then immediately responded to all of my feedback and suggestions. There may be less expensive designers to work with, but you get what you pay for when you try to do things on the cheap. If you want the best possible work...
Read more
Ric Simmons, September 2020
Explore the Reedsy Community
Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.
Ryan Schwarz
Cover designer for over 50 Amazon bestsellers. If you are an indie author writing SciFi, Fantasy, Post-Apoc, or Thrillers, I'm your guy.
Tulsa, OK, USA
Thea M.
I bring to life epic characters, dark creatures, horror monsters and fantasy worlds. Cyberpunk and videogames nerd. Master Monster Maker.
Brașov, Romania
