Frequently Asked Questions

SciStyle is the best name I could come up with when I decided to get serious about my scientific illustrations back in 2009. Meanwhile, the term SciArt seems to have established itself for this kind of illustrations but I consider my work to be more design than art (though it’s hard to draw the line). SciStyle is pronounced /ˈsaɪstaɪl/, with the first syllable like in science or SciFi.

Not exactly, I’m not good at hand-drawing.*

All my work is created digitally. Schematic illustrations are typically done in Adobe Illustrator. The more fancy images are created with a professional 3D software. For everything else, there’s Photoshop.

*Once a client asked me to draw a fox. His response to the result was “Perhaps we should just use a photograph…”

That depends on what you need exactly and in particular the complexity of the illustration or animation. Send me an email with a specific description of what you need and I’ll give you an estimate of the costs. To give you a rough idea: a graphical abstract is typically around 600 € and a journal cover illustration usually 900 – 1300 €.

My rate is 100 Euros per hour for clients from academia, for commercial clients it’s more.

Well, tough luck.

Unless the budget limit is unreasonably low, we can discuss a fixed price. Just to avoid any unrealistic expectations: Please note, that working with tight budget constrains means there will be compromises on the level of quality. The final artwork may not look as stunning and polished as the items in my portfolio.

Absolutely. Just send me some images as visual reference, so I know which kind of style you are looking for.

Also, my portfolio is only a small section of the work I have done and I may have already created such images but not put them online.

My background is in molecular and computational biology and I frequently create illustrations related to chemistry and physics as well. I’m generally open to many scientific subjects, even if they are far from my original field. Just ask!

Probably not, sorry. Most of the work in my portfolio is client work and I suspect my clients might not be happy if I give away their paid illustrations for free. However, I can create a derivative version of an existing illustration for you.

I have created a series of illustrations for Wikipedia, most of which are released under a Creative Commons license. You may use them according to the license conditions.

Here’s a selection of my work on Wikimedia Commons.

I really don’t know.

Don’t be. There’s a first time for everything – including working with a scientific designer. I’m a nice guy. Just send me an email about the project you have in mind, even if the specifics are not very refined yet. Then we can discuss the available options by email, phone, Skype – or if you are in the Berlin area even in person.

Sorry, no. I won’t edit artwork that was not produced by me, except maybe with explicit consent of the original designer. I’ll be more than happy to create an original, custom illustration for you.

I’d also like to ask you to not take my illustrations to another illustrator for future edits.

Payments can be done by wire transfer to my German bank account, credit card, and PayPal. Please no checks if possible.

As payment no. As donation yes!

Ahem no. Also, please think about your karma.

Unsurprisingly, all invoices need to be paid in full. It is your responsibility to make sure there are no obstacles for your institute / company to process my invoice from Germany and that I’ll receive the full payment in due time.

Nine more, hang in there.

Yes, here’s a quick summary of SciStyle’s licensing policy:

Following common design practice, the copyright remains with the creator (that’s me). The artwork created is licensed to you. The license is broadly defined and should cover all your needs in most cases. An example: You asked for the design of the journal cover, but then you also want to use that illustration on your website, press releases, a conference poster, a TV documentary, a book cover, your lectures and presentations – no problem, all covered.

One notable restriction for the use of my artwork is to sublicense it, for example to “sell” it on stock image sites for monetary gain. (Then again, who would do that?)

You don’t have to cite me as the creator, but I would appreciate if you do where appropriate (for example the caption of a journal cover).

I retain the right to use the artwork I created for self-promotion (mostly the portfolio on my website).

If the purpose of the illustration requires a transfer of copyright (for example you requested a journal cover and the journal then asks for the copyright in order to put the illustration on their cover), contact me and we will find a solution! This rarely happens and in most cases can be resolved with issuing a specific license. If they still insist, I may transfer the copyright to them at no extra charge.

If you absolutely need the copyright of the artwork I create for you, please inform me before the project starts, so we can discuss the extra fee for me giving up all rights on my creation (typically an additional 30 – 50%).

Yes you can. For example if I created an image for you which was intended for the cover of a journal but later you would like to use it on a conference poster or for the cover of a book – no problem. Unless otherwise agreed, there is is no restriction of the use of my artwork in terms of the type of media (digital, print, etc.), the number of runs (for journals, books, website impressions), time (no expiry date of the license), geographic location, commercial or noncommercial use.

One of the very few restrictions is sublicensing my artwork (for example to “sell” at online stock image websites).

Yes, generally no problem but please contact me first to discuss the details.

I do! If your grad school or institute may be interested in offering a scientific illustration workshop (typically 2-3 days) for its students and post docs, please get in touch with me and we can discuss the details. If my schedule permits I also offer internships for students from Berlin (only).

I suggest to check out Gaël McGill’s Clarafi, which has interviews with dozens of scientific illustrators (including myself) talking about their career path.

Also, I happily share my experience and give advice if possible. Send me an email with your specific questions.

I love my work and enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being a freelancer. Not having a boss and being able to pick and chose which kind of projects I want to work on is deeply satisfying. So is the exposure and appreciation of my work as it is seen by many (especially when on the cover of a journal). And as I am able to work from anywhere I can travel long and often (mostly to escape the cold German winters).

That’s strictly confidential.*

*I may be bribed with a few rounds of beer…

My mother tongue is German. I am fluent in English as I spent almost a year in Australia during my undergrad studies and over a year in the United States during my PhD and thereafter. Most of my projects are in English.

I am learning Spanish but it’s not yet sufficient to discuss work.

I used to share my room and life with this green iguana for many years, but that’s a long time ago and he’s currently in lizard heaven. No pets at the moment as I travel often.