Name: Scott Henderson

Company: Scott Henderson Inc.

Position within company: Principal

Website: www.scotthendersoninc.com

. What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?
When I look at Yachts as a whole, as a group, I see sameness. If I were to squint my eye while looking at a Marina filled with yachts, it might be nearly impossible to tell one yacht apart from the next. This to me suggests enormous opportunity for fresh change. The Yacht category to me is ripe for new innovations and forward thinking, and I think the market is hungry for that.

. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2015 and beyond.
Always be innovative

Do not rely on superfluous style only.

Create a human connection to your work.

Use one clean, clear and strong thought, not 10 or 20 small, cluttered and weak ones.

Think about the owner, and build on who they are as an influencer to the design.

And key trends that we should be aware of?
I feel Yacht design will move into very clean, uncluttered lines with forms that have a logical visual sense, rather than style for style’s sake.

What projects are you currently working on?
I design products and experiences for some of the world’s largest companies and some of the world’s smallest ones too.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Whether it’s colour, material, or finish, it should somehow have a logical sense. If you can’t describe why you made the decisions you made, you shouldn’t have made them.

A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?
My work is my life, so it is not an issue.

How important are The International Yacht and Aviation Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
Drawing attention to fresh innovations drives the industry forward for all of us, gives us a reason to push harder, and inspires us to do better. For this, the IYA awards are immensely important.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
To keep pushing design forward.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself

The car you drive?
BMW X3

Your favourite place to travel to in the world?
Italy

The place that gives you the most energy?
My design studio

And the place that enables you to totally relax?
My design studio