2025 Grad Show

Danielle Schulmeister

AUArts Grad Show dan2-1607-Edit-2-cropped-saturation

VCD – Character Design & Illustration

dschulmeisterillustration.com

Danielle’s work is rooted in simple yet evocative storytelling. Many of her illustrations are characterized by expressive lines and bright colours that occasionally mix with traditional textures to keep things interesting. Inspired mostly by the spontaneity of funny thoughts, unique shapes, or bold colors in her surroundings, she is particularly drawn to the exaggeration of forms and emotions to tell a story. Danielle achieves these playful dynamics through various media, including watercolors, ink, and graphite, as well as digital media. A sketchbook is never far from reach, and there’s often a pencil tucked into her hair, ready for the next burst of inspiration. Despite being born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, she loves the sea and it makes frequent appearances in her work.

She is interested in visual development, editorial & publishing, and children's literature, and is hoping her wide berth of skills lead her in fantastic new directions.

A Day at the Market Originally a concept drawing done from the prompt: What would animals do if they broke out of the zoo?
Commercial Diver Colouring Page A diver is surrounded by curious sea creatures.
Kid's Book Concept Illustration Possible spread for an original children's book about a ghost who can't float like the others. Coloured pencil, graphite.

Children's Literature

Artworks related to children's literature.

Children's Literature AUArts Grad Show Untitled_Artwork
A Day at the Market Originally a concept drawing done from the prompt: What would animals do if they broke out of the zoo?
Children's Literature AUArts Grad Show Colouring_Page_-final
Commercial Diver Colouring Page A diver is surrounded by curious sea creatures.
Children's Literature AUArts Grad Show Book_Dummy
Kid's Book Concept Illustration Possible spread for an original children's book about a ghost who can't float like the others. Coloured pencil, graphite.
Caffeinated Contaminants Conceptual illustration done for a class, based on a found article describing the effect of caffeine on coastal waters. Completed with traditional watercolour textures, ink, and digital media. Published in the 2024 edition of Applied Arts Magazine Student Awards in the Conceptual Illustration category.
Journey to the Centre of the Earth Cover Cover design done for a class, for the 2018 print edition of Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne (Arcturus Publishing Ltd). The cover features ink drawings based on species from geologic eras going back to the Pre-Cambrian, as well as several artifacts mentioned in the book. Back cover text and barcode were lifted directly from the Arcturus edition to maintain authenticity.
Diving Banner Illustration Banner illustration done for a class, based on the pillars of a diving organization. Completed with traditional watercolour textures, ink, and digital collage.
Diving Spot Illustration Two spot illustrations done for a class, based on the pillars of a diving organization. Completed with traditional watercolour textures, ink, and digital collage.
Yoga and Brain Function Illustration Header illustration done for a class, based on a found New York Times article describing the benefits of yoga on an aging brain. Completed digitally, with traditional watercolour textures overlaid.
Cheese Science Illustration Spread illustration done for a class, based on a found Scientific American article describing the science of cheese-melting. Completed digitally, with traditional watercolour textures overlaid.

Editorial | Other

Artworks related to editorial publishing or other literary-based topics.

Editorial | Other AUArts Grad Show Untitled-1
Caffeinated Contaminants Conceptual illustration done for a class, based on a found article describing the effect of caffeine on coastal waters. Completed with traditional watercolour textures, ink, and digital media. Published in the 2024 edition of Applied Arts Magazine Student Awards in the Conceptual Illustration category.
Editorial | Other AUArts Grad Show Print_To_Scale
Journey to the Centre of the Earth Cover Cover design done for a class, for the 2018 print edition of Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne (Arcturus Publishing Ltd). The cover features ink drawings based on species from geologic eras going back to the Pre-Cambrian, as well as several artifacts mentioned in the book. Back cover text and barcode were lifted directly from the Arcturus edition to maintain authenticity.
Editorial | Other AUArts Grad Show Final_PADI_illustrations 1hb
Diving Banner Illustration Banner illustration done for a class, based on the pillars of a diving organization. Completed with traditional watercolour textures, ink, and digital collage.
Editorial | Other AUArts Grad Show Final_PADI_illustrations
Diving Spot Illustration Two spot illustrations done for a class, based on the pillars of a diving organization. Completed with traditional watercolour textures, ink, and digital collage.
Editorial | Other AUArts Grad Show NYT layers
Yoga and Brain Function Illustration Header illustration done for a class, based on a found New York Times article describing the benefits of yoga on an aging brain. Completed digitally, with traditional watercolour textures overlaid.
Editorial | Other AUArts Grad Show IMG_9295
Cheese Science Illustration Spread illustration done for a class, based on a found Scientific American article describing the science of cheese-melting. Completed digitally, with traditional watercolour textures overlaid.
The Office of Dr. Murdock Environment illustration for one of the main characters. Digital.
Isla Nueva Map Map and points of interest of the fictional island of Isla Nueva. Digital.
The Underwater Lab - Exterior The exterior view of the underwater lab off the coast of Isla Nueva. Digital.
Facades and Architecture of Isla Nueva Comparison between "old town" architecture and "new town". Ink and marker, digital colour.
Potted Foliage of Isla Nueva Different potted plants (native species) that can be found around human dwellings. Ink and marker, digital colour.
Creature Design Concepts Different iterations of surface design for the creature in the story.

Visual Development

Artworks related to visual development and original world-building.

Visual Development AUArts Grad Show 20241108_192509260_iOS
The Office of Dr. Murdock Environment illustration for one of the main characters. Digital.
Visual Development AUArts Grad Show Maps_CMYK
Isla Nueva Map Map and points of interest of the fictional island of Isla Nueva. Digital.
Visual Development AUArts Grad Show IMG_9123
The Underwater Lab - Exterior The exterior view of the underwater lab off the coast of Isla Nueva. Digital.
Visual Development AUArts Grad Show img255
Facades and Architecture of Isla Nueva Comparison between "old town" architecture and "new town". Ink and marker, digital colour.
Visual Development AUArts Grad Show img255
Potted Foliage of Isla Nueva Different potted plants (native species) that can be found around human dwellings. Ink and marker, digital colour.
Visual Development AUArts Grad Show Untitled_Artwork 2
Creature Design Concepts Different iterations of surface design for the creature in the story.

This site may contain artworks with provocative content that some viewers may find uncomfortable or upsetting. AUArts supports a culture of non-censorship and ongoing conversations about contemporary art.