Local students compete in prestigious Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition

Nine students from universities across the UK had 36 hours to sketch their design entries live on the Show floor. An expert judging panel, featuring Justin Olesinski of Olesinski, 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, then met to critique the designs and determine this year’s Superyacht UK Young Designer.

This year’s competition was fierce. Christopher Karam, a student from Staffordshire University, scooped the top prize, whilst the position of runner up went to Michael Hollier, also studying at Staffordshire University. Held at the London Boat Show, the presentation was made by Tracey Crouch MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage.

This annual competition helps raise the profile of the marine industry as a potential career option for young people in the UK. Setting many of the competing students on a successful design career path, it ensures the longevity of British talent in design houses around the world. Previous winners and runners up, such as 2012’s winner, Dan Humphreys, and 2015’s runner up, Guneet Sidhu, have gone on to secure successful careers and become established designers in their own right.

For scooping the top prize, Christopher will now go on to complete a four-week design internship at Pendennis Shipyard, a world-class and award-winning custom build and refit superyacht yard in Falmouth. For coming second, Michael receives the opportunity of a week’s work experience at Olesinski.

Ashley Scott, who is currently studying Product Design at Plymouth University, commented: “I loved the challenge of coming up with a design that is environmentally friendly and so I included the sketch of a lillypad for a swimming pool which included solar panels and a reusable combustion engine. My dream would be to have a career in a company deigning bikes and I feel sure the competition has given me some great experience which I can use in the future.”

Peter Brown, Chairman of Superyacht UK, remarked on Ashley’s design: “Ashley incorporated some great creative ideas into his sketches and all the judges were really impressed by his design idea of a swimming pool in the shape of a lillypad. Ashley has clearly thought about the brief and his end design is a true testament to his design and hand-drawing skills.”

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.”

Giles Barkekley, Course Leader for Yacht Engineering at Southampton Solent University, the sponsor of the competition, said: “The University is committed to supporting young talent and this competition is a perfect opportunity for students to gain valuable experience and kick start their future careers.”