When LIFT selected the winning design of its nationwide aircraft tail livery competition late last year, one artwork stood out to voters, for the feeling it evoked as much as the way it looked. Warm, uplifting and unmistakably South African, the design, now flying on a LIFT Airbus A320, belongs to Alyssa Reyersbach, a 24-year-old graphic designer and content creator from Durban.
Chosen and voted for by the public from nearly 3,000 submissions, LIFT said Alyssa’s design reflects the energy, diversity, and vibrancy of South Africa. Drawing inspiration from the country’s people, landscapes, and cultural rhythms, the aircraft tail has become a moving canvas and one that celebrates unity, connection, and a shared sense of pride.
1. How did it feel when you found out your design had been selected by the public to feature on a LIFT aircraft?
I couldn’t believe it at all – it’s one thing to see all the love and support online, but to hear “ you’re a winner “ is a feeling I’ll never forget. I was overwhelmed in the best possible way. Winning this competition means so much to me personally. It’s a reminder that my ideas, eye for detail, and creative choices have an impact.
Seeing my work connect with people and tell a story motivates me to keep exploring and creating designs that feel thoughtful. This has also impacted my professional career, as well, as it’s grown my confidence and given me motivation to keep pushing myself to new limits and not be afraid to step out of my comfort zone.
2. With nearly 3,000 submissions in the nationwide competition, what do you think made your design resonate so strongly with voters?
I wanted my design to tell a story of unity and pride. South Africa is made up of so many cultures, stories, and identities, and my goal was to visually celebrate how they all come together as one. The aircraft becomes a moving canvas carrying not just people, but a shared sense of belonging and creativity. For people to look at the aircraft and feel proud to be South African. I wanted the artwork to feel like it belonged to that journey.
3. Your artwork now appears on an Airbus A320. How did you approach translating a digital illustration into something that works at aircraft scale? What was the most technically challenging aspect of designing for an aircraft tail, and how did you overcome it?
This was really a learning experience. I knew I wanted to do something detailed and intricate, but obviously, the size of an aircraft tail compared to my iPad is a bit of a size jump, so I had to consider each element individually so that it would still translate to such a large scale, still telling a story and feeling visually strong. It was definitely an exciting challenge.
4. What specific elements did you include to evoke that emotional response?
I drew a lot of inspiration from South Africa itself: the energy, the colours, the diversity. I wanted the design to feel alive and optimistic, like it’s moving forward, just like the airline and the people who fly with it. I chose symbols iconic to South Africa that represent diversity, connection, and rhythm, all the things that make up who we are as a proudly rainbow nation.
5. How did you visually express the idea of travel as a bridge between people, places, and memories?
My design is rooted in South African culture, using local icons, heritage-inspired shapes, and a vibrant colour palette. By combining these elements, I wanted to visually represent travel as a bridge linking people, places, and memories while celebrating the richness and diversity of South Africa. Lift takes home passengers and brings them home again and again. I wanted my design to feel like a reminder of home away from home.
6. As a graphic designer at Lemonade Design Co., how do you balance commercial design work with your personal creative voice?
As a graphic designer, commercial work always needs to serve the client’s goals and brand first. I see it as a creative challenge to bring my own perspective into that framework, influence through colour, composition, and storytelling, while still meeting the brief. It’s about finding the balance between strategic thinking and creative expression, so the work is both effective and visually engaging.
The beauty of being a creative is being able to take an idea and bring it to life. It’s about seeing possibilities where others might not and creating something that can inspire, communicate, or connect with people. I like to see the world differently.
7. How did you select the palette for this project to reflect South Africa’s energy and diversity?
I drew a lot of inspiration from South Africa itself. I chose colours that were uniquely South African but had a bit of a modern twist, using bright and bold colours that represent who we are as proudly South African. We are a diverse nation with a rich heritage. I wanted the colours to speak to our beaches, our landscapes, and horizons. All the beauty we have here in South Africa.
8. Seeing your work literally fly across the country is a rare milestone at 24. How has this moment influenced your confidence and future ambitions as a designer?
I feel like it’s opened up a lot of personal doors for me as a young South African designer. It’s given me confidence to dream bigger and that there’s space for local designers to create work that lives on a national scale. Illustrating has always been something I’ve been passionate about as well, but I don’t always get the chance to indulge in it. I feel like this now will allow me to recognise myself as an illustrator and start to make time for myself in that space.
I learned a lot about the power of trusting my instincts and leaning into authenticity. The process reminded me that thoughtful and meaningful design doesn’t need to be loud to be impactful. It also taught me how important it is to consider context, scale, and storytelling when creating work that exists beyond a screen.
9. What advice would you give to young South African creatives who dream of seeing their work on such a public and large-scale platform?
Go for it even if your inner critic is loud. Don’t design for approval; design with honesty and excitement. Competitions are an opportunity to experiment, grow, and truly back yourself. Sometimes all it takes is one brave entry to open doors you didn’t even know were there. Even the act of showing up and submitting your work is a win in itself, and you’d be surprised how far that courage can carry you.
