Rachel Sender

Name: Rachel Sender

Date of Birth: March 14, 1981

Nationality: Spanish

City of residence: Rotterdam , Netherlands

"When I feel connected to a project's values, I think that comes through in my work."

Drawing Style

Rachel's work combines bold colors and playful visual narratives, with a focus on simplified forms, texture, and vibrant compositions. Rachel strives to infuse the subjects she illustrates with warmth, humor, and a sense of curiosity.

Biography

Rachel Sender is an editorial illustrator, teacher, and community builder based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Rachel is deeply curious about people: why do they do what they do, and how do they behave in specific situations? She incorporates her observations and insights into her illustrations, often with a touch of humor to engage her audience.

After gaining four years of experience at graphic design studios in her hometown of Barcelona, Rachel moved to the Netherlands in 2008 to start her own practice. Editorial illustration now forms the core of her work for clients, which she combines with teaching in the illustration department at the Willem de Kooning Academy and building a community for Rotterdam-based illustrators.

Projects

Growing Up in the Digital Age

Client: City of Amsterdam

A series of illustrations that makes complex topics related to children and digital life accessible and engaging. I’m proud to have created a visual language that appeals to a wide audience.

As a mother, this topic hit particularly close to home, because I, too, am experiencing the challenges of screens and digital life with my own child.

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Lumps and Bumps

Personal Project

A personal project about aging and changing bodies. I’m proud to use humor and illustration to tackle a subject that can feel vulnerable or taboo.

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Amateur Scientists Track Wildlife

Client: 5 Media

Editorial illustrations about citizen scientists who track wild animals. I’m proud to have found a playful—and, for me, experimental—visual approach to a scientific topic.

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What Makes This Designer Unique

It’s important to me to work on projects and topics that are truly close to my heart and that I feel connected to. I’m particularly drawn to topics with a social, environmental, or human dimension, where illustrations can help convey ideas, raise questions, or bring people together. When I feel connected to a project’s values, I believe that comes through in my work.

This or that

  • Sketchbook or iPad? Sketchbook for ideas and observations, iPad for work.
  • Pencil or pen? Pencil.
  • Black-and-white or full color? Full color!
  • Creativity in the morning or creativity in the middle of the night? In the morning, with a fresh perspective.
  • Perfectly planned or happy accidents? Happy accidents happen when you follow a plan 
  • Details or the big picture? Details ! That's why the puzzle was such a fun assignment
  • Coffee shop or studio (or somewhere else)? My studio is my favorite place in the world.
  • A museum visit or a nature walk? Why choose? Both are inspiring. But lately, I’ve been longing to be close to nature.
  • Design on my own or collaborate? I enjoy working alone, but I also get a boost from collaborating, despite the challenges.
  • Serif or sans-serif? It depends on the context.

Puzzles by Rachel Sender

New
Rotterdam puzzle
Cities
By Rachel Sender
1,000 pieces - 640 x 480 mm · includes poster + postcards
€29,95
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