Roland Friedberger Design, in association with SolarImpact Yacht AG have been shortlisted for Concept Under 40 Metres in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2020.
Name: Roland Friedberger 
Company: Roland Friedberger Design
Position within company: Designer / Owner
Website: www.roland-friedberger.de
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
I was starting in 1990 with graphic and product design for Sportswear, Skis, Sunglasses also for Companies like Rossignol, Alpina Eyewear, Intersport Group, High Society Monte Carlo and more. End of the 90s I designed the brand Elegance Yachts for the Drettmann Group, and this was my start in Yacht Design. With this group we did the new brand Bandido Yachts and The Elegance Open Sport yachts, my first realized Yacht design (Exterior and Interior), till 2007.
Then i worked for Jade Yachts Taiwan, several Projects, created the brand Messerschmitt Yachts with the well-known Bulwark Concept Design and the Conqueror (Nobiskrug). 2011-2014 i designed the Saluzi 70m Refit, Interior by Luiz de Basto Back in Europe I started with Schaaf Yachtbau with innovative Concepts. One of the last projects was the design of the tender Line, and we get the Boat International Design Award 2020. In 2018 we started with the first drawings for Solar impact. Now is Solar Time – The new Concept for Solar Impact 24m SWATH / Catamaran shows innovative Technology for Solar Efficiency and the impressive SWATH Technic.
How would you describe your personal design style?
When i start with a concept design, I try to find the Soul, the Spirit of the Creation. If i can feel the identification, the design work is running. This can be modern or classic style, depends on the clients wishes, but this I design with big love. My own style? I don’t know, but i hope people feel my design, feel the harmony.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
It comes from the using side. Design has no function; the function needs to be designed. All functions need to be included in a useful concept. And the concept must be designed to make the using of Yachts or projects easy and comfortable. And if do my design job well, the design is fascinating. That is my target. It is the process of the design, we are learning more and more, developing by working – creating ideas – than we have innovations.
since 1990
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
If we look over the last 30 years of design, we can see that design is going more and more into details and complexity. The ergonomic using aspect becomes an important role. By more technical features every 2-3 years, the design is much more important as in the past. Now it is not like last century, design in the 60th was clean lined, and the 70th was only rainbow colours. Design is going to be more individual, round, or square, coloured, or grey scaled, design can be the best from the past, transported into now, new designed for new humans. Design in the future can be straight or waved, anyway what people prefer, but it will be more and more perfectional led until the smallest part.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.
– Outstanding Design
– Safety Concepts
– Comfort of Materials
– Conserve Resources
– Efficient energy drives
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Every design scheme is a unique and new creation. Design with love. If you don’t love your concept, you‘re not finished.
How important are The International Yacht & Aviation Awards?
The Award is important. It shows the opinion of qualified members of the branch. This opinion gives the customer group a well-founded consideration about concept and design. The Yacht & Aviation Award bring designers the fore with their ideas – very important to connect design and customer.
What projects are you currently working on?
Solar Impact 24m, Schaaf Tender Line, Sportboat 12m and 14m for 2022.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
During all the projects i designed concepts studies and analysed GA layouts for find ideas for the future. This is the basic what we are going to realize in the next years. So now we are going forward to speak with the shipyards to see what is next.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession? My family, my wife and my daughter and my friends – most important to have a happy life. Not happy? No design possible!
Your favourite holiday destination? I am typical European. Italy, France, and Greece – Beach
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar? No favourites – You can take me anywhere, if its nice.
Your favourite book, film & song? Book: I read to many books about work and technics – no favourites private. Film: Star Wars Song: Phil Collins – In the Air tonight – for me probably the most extraordinary artist
Your favourite food and drink? Italian food and wine – classic Noodles, Pizza.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? Sitting at seaside – drawing boats or cars – enjoy life.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be? If i had no chance to be a designer or an artist – i would be a Service Manager to take care of design products, Yachts, Cars, Houses. If I would be younger, I would try to be a racing driver.
Anything else interesting? Car driving and Sport – I love to feel the limit
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If you think you have what it takes to complete in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards, submit your application by clicking here.