Born in Cologne, Semann studied cartography with a focus on geoinformatics at the University of Applied Sciences in Karlsruhe. There, in 1998, he wrote a diploma thesis on a new production technology – the so-called rapid prototyping process, in connection with which the relief of the Eiger was created. After graduation, he worked in the field of simulation/virtual reality, where he helped create training simulators for national railroad companies. Since 2003, Semann has been working as a project manager for national and international research projects in the field of aviation safety. He is responsible for the production of digital maps for navigation systems.

[1] This article bases on Mair, Toni. Grieder, Susanne. Das Landschaftsrelief – Symbiose von Wissenschaft und Kunsthandwerk. Mit Schweizer Reliefkatalog. Verlag hier+jetzt. Baden, Schweiz. 2006. S.168.