Running alongside the London Boat Show is the 2017 Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition, in partnership with Southampton Solent University. Nine students from across the country competed in a competition that puts the invaluable design skill of hand-drawing under the spotlight.
They each had to create their competing designs from scratch live at the show, after which, the judging panel including Justin Olesinski of Olesinski Naval architects, Tony Dixon of Redman Whitely Dixon, Bill Dixon of Dixon Yacht Design, Mark Tucker of Design Unlimited and Peter Brown, Chairman of Superyacht UK & Senior Sales Broker at Burgess, sat down to decide the winner.
It is well worth the effort! For example, after receiving the title of 2012’s Superyacht UK Young Designer, Dan Humphreys went on to win the Seatec Abitare La Marca Concept Award in Italy and has today founded his own successful design studio, The Visual Lab, which focuses on bespoke product design across industries.
In addition, runner-up of the 2015 Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition, Guneet Sidhu, has gone on to enjoy the role of Junior Designer at Tangerine, an established design agency which was set up by renowned industrial designer, Sir Johnathan Ive.
The winner, this year was Christopher Karam, who is studying Transport Design at Staffordshire University, commented: “I am really proud of my design which incorporated all the elements of the brief including a heli-pad, a slider for two tenders and some cool activities to entertain children.”
As winner he will receive an design internship at Pendennis Shipyard, as well as the honour of winning this renowned competition. Previous competitors have gone on to secure successful careers and become established designers in their own right.
Commenting on Christopher’s design Peter Brown, Chairman of Superyacht UK, said: “Christopher’s design was fantastic and he really used some classic lines with a creative flair. I feel sure any client that he drew for would be truly impressed with his talent.”
Peter added: “The Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition is a fantastic showcase of the design talent that we have in this country. The UK is the hub of superyacht design globally and one of the first stops for a potential client. All of these nine students are incredibly talented and have taken their careers to the next level just by being here and taking part. It was very difficult to separate the entries as all were brilliant and unique in their own right.”