Florian Garbay

Florian Garbay – Designer

Graphic designer and illustrator focusing on Children's Horror Book Series. I work with beginners as well as experienced profiles.

Overview

I am Florian, a french graphic designer and illustrator working with self-published writers. I have done this job for years and I have more than twenty books published now.


I work exclusively on middle-grade book covers for people writing exciting stories for young readers. I can work on anything but horror stories, fantasy, mystery, and action-paced adventures are my favorites.


I have my way to make your story stand out from the crowd.

It starts with a powerful picture that will draw attention when seen on a phone. I paint colorful illustrations, play with bold contrasts, and make the subject clear.

Then I find a way to make your book unique. That's where the collaboration begins. I have the experience and I know how to draw and design everything BUT I need your help to guide me.


Here is how our collaboration will be done:


1:

Before signing anything we will talk. I have a preference for written discussion.


We start by defining who your target audience is. You tell me what your story is about and list the pictures required at the end. I will ask for a lot of descriptions to be as accurate to your story as possible.

Then I make my research. I describe the book cover and, if you feel comfortable with my idea, I send you a quote.


2:

Once the quote is signed, I send you a first rough black and white sketch. It is not precise but it is a good way to set the mood and the general composition.

At this step, we can change anything until we both are happy with it. It is even possible to start again.


3:

I detail every part on the book cover then I color it. It is so precise people think that my work is over. It is not!

Apart from the general composition fixed in Step 2, you still have the right to change every detail in it.


4:

That's the final step. I am going to clean the whole book cover and prepare it to be published.

We can't go back but I will always allow you to change minor details.


5:

I prepare the print-ready files and the files listed in the quote.


I can design social media banners, audio-book covers, and 3D mockup if you want but you will save a lot of money if you learn to do these simple pictures by yourself.


My rates start at 1000€ for a whole cover design. That's the only picture you can't design by yourself and it is a big investment so, I can split the bill into 2 steps.


The only thing you need apart from a book cover is a flexible tool.

I can share with you my source file with objects separated into different layers for 350€. With that, you can design any picture you want.


Interested? Send me a request and let's chat together!


Florian

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Fantasy Horror Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy
Languages
English
Certifications
  • License

Work experience

ESAA Aquitaine and E-artsup Bordeaux

Sep, 2017 — Jul, 2020 (almost 3 years)

I teach academic drawing, inking, perspective, rough drawing technic for interior design and digital colorisation.

Self-employed

May, 2017 — Present

I worked on various projects like :
- Character concept art for video game industry
- Background concepts and illustrations for video game industry
- Music band covers
- Children book cover and interior illustration
- Various other illustration jobs

french ministry for internal affairs

Jun, 2012 — Sep, 2017 (over 5 years)

I spent years designing and printing marketing pictures.

Portfolio

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Illustration
Illustration
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
STOP! ROBOT!

Anson, Gaz

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
What is the Fantastical Contraption? What secrets does it hold inside? And what about it convinced the Queen to abduct Annabel Pickering’s parents? Thirteen-year-old Annabel Pickering loves he... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Sorrel wants to run around like the other kids, but a foot deformity -- and her hovering mom -- just won’t let her. The only place she feels free is in Dragon Canyon -- a video game where she ... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Up Against Mooneye

Høst, Mikkel

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Impostor Mode

Charles, Scott

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography

Florian has 24 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Rachel D.

Rachel D.

Nov, 2023

Florian is extremely patient and willing to help you talk through the ideas you have to find the best one for your book. His speedy responses and the speed of his work is wonderful, ensuring a project can be finished promptly.
DS Q.

DS Q.

Oct, 2023

This was the second time I've used Florian for a cover design and couldn't be happier with the results. He's really helped to bring Milo to life. I'll certainly be calling him for the next book.
Gaius A.

Gaius A.

Sep, 2023

Florian's unique style of vibrant scenes and action-oriented design caught my eye immediately. So even though I am working on a project outside of the genres displayed in his portfolio (my book is a science fantasy adventure for adult audiences), I contacted him regarding a cover illustration. He started by asking important questions regarding genre, target audience, and story. His responses an...
Read more
Lexi R.

Lexi R.

Jun, 2023

The entire project has been fantastic. Not only is the design absolutely stunning, but the process was smooth, communication excellent, and I appreciated the emotional support too as this was a very big financial investment for me and I was nervous. I'm so glad I took the plunge. Highly recommended.
Cin F.

Cin F.

Jun, 2023

Florian has done fabulous work and he's an excellent artist! Very responsive to the needs of his customer and great to work with!

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