Name: İBRAHİM KARATAŞ
Company: KARATAŞ YACHT DESIGN LTD
Position within company: NAVAL ARCHITECT, OWNER
Website: www.karatasyachtdesign.com
. What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?
Every little item that a modern human being is in contact with today has been processed through design. Simplicity and function are way ahead of many other aspects. Of course a “design” must be beautiful. What is happening now is there are more designers available than in the entire history of human beings. This of course brings plenty of ideas, which is good.
The life span of every object has been shortened as the trends in design are changing so fast. The life span of a yacht should also be considered in this way. Of course, there are timeless designs and the boring part of it the timeless designs look exactly the same, no excitement.
The naval designs –not only yachts- still need a long way to go to evolve into better products. Take a look at the cargo ships, tug boats, passenger ferries or a day boat. They are all the same and all need the touch of a designer. I believe the variety of designs and ideas in the yachting sector will help to evolve those too. Imagine yachts are the minority portion of the floating objects in the world.
. What projects are you currently working
My specialty is mid size (30-40 m) sailing vessels. This area is quite silent these days. I know that sail boat owners do fall in love with their boats and they do not tend to change them quickly. We have changed direction a bit and are busy with a 110’ semi-displacement type motoryacht design and construction. This I must admit is very exciting as we managed to develop a yacht that can perform very economically in all speed regimes while giving the utmost comfort. Apart from this we are busy with short distance passenger vessels varying form 18m to 50m. There is a Swath vessel design we have completed a few months ago, which is a motoryacht and convertible platform to be a research vessel.
. A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?
Indeed this is not an easy task. It is difficult to spare sufficient time to both family and business. We balance it by working late some days and doing random off time. I keep collecting inspirations and ideas for the next design, especially when I am in my relaxing mode.
. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2014 and beyond.
-Organic shapes
-Space
-Transparency
-Individualisation
-Economy
. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Advice for boat owners; do not try to make a copy of anything.
Advice for designers; try to blend a higher number of disciplines before sketching a new idea.
. How important are The International Yacht and Aviation Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
I have seen good designs get together through The International Yacht and Aviation Awards in the past years. The Awards provide a good ground to present the latest works of designers thus the industry becomes aware where the trend is going. It is important for young talents, sure it is important for a designer even at my age.
. How do you relax?
My home is where I relax, thanks to my wife and my daughters.
. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
I plan to have more business contracts related to the motoryacht design we have developed as it has unique features in it, never seen before. We also have a plan to develop better looking and better performing small passenger vessels.
. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
The car you drive? Volvo
Your favourite place to travel to in the world? I have seen quite some places in the world, however I think my favourite place to travel is Aegean coasts of Turkey, Fethiye & Marmaris in particular. I should not forget Istanbul, it is a beautiful and unique city.
Your favourite hotel/ restaurant/ bar? Loryma in Turunç
The place that gives you the most energy? Where I was born, Mugla
And the place that enables you to totally relax? Somewhere tranquil by the seaside, preferably in Aegean coast, of course with my family.
Your favourite food and drink? All kinds of kebabs, Lufer (bluefish) and Rakı next to it.