Tray Crow

DIRECTOR, INTERIOR DESIGN GULFSTREAM

Tray Crow has previously worked in residential, corporate and health care interiors but was appointed director of interior design at Gulfstream in 2007 when he discovered a passion for aviation interiors. Prior to this he served as a professor and department chair for his graduate school alma mater, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Tray has a master of fine arts degree from SCAD and a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

What are you currently working on? Our team of more than 40 interior and visualization designers are currently designing our clients’ interiors for all Gulfstream large-cabin aircraft, the G500, G600, G650, G650ER and the allnew G700, along with the super-midsize G280.

Tell us a little about this project/s? One of our major projects right now is designing the flight-test aircraft for the new industry flagship G700. Designing flight-test interiors is so exciting, because we can experiment with design innovation and see the outcomes in real time. After the flighttest program concludes, we know that the bespoke materials we offer our customers can stand up to high-speed, high-altitude flight and retain their unique features and beauty. The G700 also provides a wonderful opportunity for us with the most spacious cabin in the industry. The aircraft flies farther faster than any other business jet, which for many of our customers means that they’ll want their aircraft interiors to be an extension of their homes, and, thus, their personal and professional aesthetics. Along with the largest galley in the industry, up to five living areas and the option for a master suite, our canvas on the G700 is larger than ever and allows us to offer more personalization and hidden delights for Gulfstream customers.

Please describe the project you are most proud of to date, with reasons why this was a success? My team of Gulfstream designers is what I am most proud of. They inspire me every day. To be an interior designer in aviation requires more problem-solving skills than any other design sector – all elements require certification for flying, and every ounce of weight on the aircraft is intensely scrutinized. Our designers navigate these challenges with aplomb and always deliver a compelling, personalized, bespoke design.

Please describe a highlight of your career to date. The wonderful thing about designing Gulfstream aircraft interiors is that every customer delivery is a new highlight.

What inspires you? My team.

What motivates you? Exceeding Gulfstream customers’ expectations.

Where in the world do you like to retreat to? These days, home has been my retreat. I just finished restoring our 1925 Colonial Revival home in Savannah. It has been a complete respite in which to ride out this pandemic.

Where and how do you find support? The more than 40 designers we have support me and each other in so many ways, from their personal inspirations to their depth of experience and knowledge. As a group, we have nearly 575 years of design experience and 335 years of aviation design experience.

Where do you find comfort? In the cabin of a Gulfstream, of course. It’s the most comfortable in business aviation.

Has the recent global pandemic changed the way in which you work? Without the ability to travel to see our clients, we have shifted to virtual meetings and have capitalized on our virtual tools. Our cabin configurator, seat configurator and exterior paint configurator tools have worked seamlessly to help us engage with our clients in meaningful ways. These tools allow clients to swap-out materials, layouts and furniture in real time and are also used in-person (when safety procedures allow) at our sales and design centres in the U.S. and U.K.

Has it changed your outlook? This pandemic has emphasised a core theme that has always been part of my team’s culture. That is, we must be adaptable and learn from every experience. I could not be prouder of my team’s ability to shift and completely change the way we work.

What are your thoughts on the future of design? At its core, design is about problem solving, and the whole world now faces a wealth of new challenges. These challenges become opportunities as they are solved by design.

Please tell us your aims for the next twelve months and beyond. We will focus on continuing to exceed customer expectations and delivering bespoke cabin designs around the world.

What would be your key piece of advice for emerging designers right now? Be nimble, adaptable, know your worth and share your talents with others.