The Art of Flying: Form and Imagination

Elena Salmistraro cannot easily be assigned to a single creative discipline. Work moves between product design, illustration- and sculptural objects. She prefers describe herself simply as a creative. Nevertheless, a distinct visual language runs through all her work: intense colours, a playful blend of geometric and organic forms—and animals that often take on almost human traits.

Where Form Follows Function

Because art, design, fashion, and graphics merge in Salmistraro’s work, she finds inspiration everywhere. Often in fleeting impressions that she intuitively translates into visual forms—naturally also during her flight in the Lufthansa Allegris Business Class. Her seat: the Extra Space Seat with a large work surface and privacy, which she chose very deliberately.

Salmistraro’s creative process doesn’t stop in the Lufthansa Allegris cabin: she observes, listens to music, searches for figures and stories. The ability to withdraw from time to time plays a major role for her: with the noise-cancelling headphones that are standard in Lufthansa Business Class, she consciously blocks out the outside world to fully focus on her inner world of thoughts.

A Space that Inspires

For Salmistraro, the physical space she occupies also affects her mind. The generous area of the Extra Space Seat allows her to arrange materials, sketches, and tools so that everything is within reach and the creative flow is not interrupted. At the same time, the combination of ergonomic design, seamlessly integrated technology, and a reduced visual language creates an environment that she perceives as calm and balanced.

The dimmed lighting, soft materials, and a restrained colour palette throughout the Lufthansa Allegris Business Class create a mood that Salmistraro describes as almost futuristic—like a kind of protective space where one can retreat and work with focus. For her, the flight becomes a phase in which not only new ideas emerge, but also the realisation that travel itself can be restful.

Travel Hacks – What matters to Designer Elena Salmistraro on the go

1.  Order creates creative freedom: “When I work during a flight, I organise everything in advance and store my materials so that I can move freely and don’t have to search for anything for long. This clarity helps me fully focus on my thoughts. This works particularly well in the Lufthansa Allegris Business Class. Thanks to the well-designed storage and additional space, everything remains within reach without cluttering the workspace.”
2.  Adjust lighting individually: “I usually avoid strong overhead lighting when I work because it creates harsh shadows. Instead, I prefer side lighting that can be dimmed and adjusted to my needs. This creates a calmer atmosphere in which I can concentrate better. Unfortunately, this flexibility is not often available when travelling—but in Lufthansa Allegris Business Class, it certainly is.”
3. Make active use of seat comfort: “I always adjust the recline of my seat so that I’m comfortable but can still work—for example, when I want to sketch something. This balance is important to me. In the Extra Space Seat, I had exactly that option: to sit relaxed and remain creative at the same time.”