#LoveMySafranJob: "Designer, a profession of creativity and innovation."

Rachel's passion for design goes back to her childhood. "My passion for design comes from travelling with my family. I was fascinated by every detail of the fittings on board. I'd spend hours filling in sketchbooks, dreaming of a career in which I could bring my creations to life and see them fly!" 

After graduating with a Master's degree in industrial design, Rachel began her career with a company specializing in aircraft galley storage, which opened the door to the aeronautical industry. She then joined a company specializing in bar modules, where she honed her skills. In 2011, she joined Zodiac Aerospace and then Safran Seats in Cwmbran as Lead Industrial Designer, specializing in VIP bar modules and seat design. 

Today, at the head of a team of three, Rachel works with a wide range of stakeholders - marketing teams, sales, engineers, architects and customers - to co-create the design of business and first-class seats for airlines.

Designing aircraft interiors requires an extremely meticulous approach. Each project requires an in-depth understanding of cabin space, in order to propose solutions that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional, while complying with the strict regulations imposed by aviation safety.

The design process is the result of multiple iterations to meet customers' wishes. Feedback therefore plays a crucial role for Rachel. "Accepting criticism is essential in my profession, as it leads to valuable improvements and ultimately to designs that are as close as possible to the customer's needs." Specialized software, 3D models, virtual reality or simulators: she relies on high-tech equipment to achieve the optimum result.

How can she continue to cultivate her creativity and stimulate her imagination? No problem for Rachel, who's never short of ideas and knows how to renew herself! 

Every Friday, she and her team take part in innovation meetings to take a step back from current projects and develop new ideas. "We play with different words that I choose beforehand to imagine a concept and stimulate our creativity, then we present it to each other. These sessions are not only fun, but also crucial to nurturing our creative spirit."

Working in a male-dominated industry has presented many challenges for Rachel, particularly at the start of her career. "I realized that, as a woman, I not only had to learn my trade, but also learn to make myself heard and respected." Although things evolved positively, it wasn't always easy for her to impose her ideas.

Rachel relied on mentoring, an essential element in the development of her career. "Participating in a mentoring program for six months with a coach who held a position of responsibility was decisive in my career. It had a significant impact on my professional development and helped me gain self-confidence."