Name: ROBERT BLAZEJAK
Company: SUNREEF YACHTS
Position within company: CHIEF CONCEPT DESIGNER
Website: www.sunreef-yachts.com
. What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?
Life is changing and people’s habits are changing, competition is growing and the market is full of options. We have to respond to all of these factors with unique designs and strong and reliable brand identity. To meet a customer’s expectations we have to make him feel unique and special, very special, comfortable and secure with our product (he is ultimately putting his life in our hands when sailing across the pacific). Make him trust us and choose our product. Design is all around us, diverse, and driven by different factors in different design fields. And there are so many more factors to consider when talking about good luxury design, this is a long discussion…
. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2015 and beyond.
– Integrate a combination of smart solutions and luxury finish
– Utilize quality materials and advanced technology
– Always stay creative
– Do not follow trends too much
– Place strong emphasis on exterior lines (in terms of exterior design)
. And key trends that we should be aware of?
Trends are tricky and they have a tendency to last short periods. They make sense in the fields of fashion, design or cars but not in the yachting industry. In my opinion the key to yachting design is the customization of projects, implementing the latest technology and advanced designs. Yachts that will reflect the personality of their Owners. The yachting industry will most probably start to customize and start doing what Sunreef Yachts began doing 13 years ago.
What more, I think Multihulls highly outweigh all monohulls units. I am confident that, in the following years, Customers will more and more gravitate towards the stability and functionality of catamarans and trimarans which provide greater comfort on board than traditional monohulls.
. What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on something very special and exciting. Sunreef`s new project will push the catamaran and yachting industry to the highest level and will have the competition green with envy. All the details will be revealed later this year.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Stay strong with your design philosophy, but always listen to client needs and expectations. Be aware that you are helping him make his dream come true.
. A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?
Work- life balance is the key to success! I truly love my job and I could probably work 24/7 but I am also aware that the highest quality of my projects depends on many factors, also from my good personal life, my hobbies, sports and pleasant moments that I derive outside of work. My life, people around and positive energy inspire me to be a better designer!
. How important are The International Yacht and Aviation Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
It’s great that the competition acknowledges the efforts of designers and not only completed projects. This kind of awards encourage further development.
. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
My goal is to develop and implement the new design that I am currently working on. It will be a new way of luxury living aboard and the continuation of the Sunreef Yachts philosophy.
. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself…
The car you drive? Mercedes E coupe 2012.
Your favourite place to travel to in the world? No single favourite place. I love to explore new destinations all the time.
Your favourite hotel/ restaurant/ bar? Anything simple I can sleep in, eat, take shower, relax and travel.
The place that gives you the most energy? Gym and my design desk 🙂
And the place that enables you to totally relax? Definitely driving my own car and… all the AMG`s cars.
Your favourite food and drink? Thai cuisine and Black Russian cocktails.