Name: Simona Cecconello & Andrea Splinakis
Company: Splinakis Ship Design
Position within company:    Simona: Interior Designer
Andrea: Naval Architect
Website: www.splinakis.com

What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?
S: I think that nowadays what is conditioning the design trend is above all Sustainability. Even if the Social Conscience about this theme isn’t completely formed, many of us realized how important is to preserve the nature, so we can find many projects that involve sustainable materials, with the help of research for new materials and technologies.

. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2016 and beyond.
S: balance, materials, sustainability, functionality, comfort
A: simplicity, brightness, accessibility, limpidity, natural

. What projects are you currently working on?
S: Cruise Vessel refit, Residential Refurbishment
A: Cruise Vessels refit
. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
S: Speaking to the customer to understand their personality and needs.
A: Think before you act.

. A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?
S: I love my work so much that I feel career and life as a single one, and often the best ideas may come up during any life moment.
A: I understood that I would have become a Naval Architect when I was very young (6-7 years old), so I spent all the following years of my life by thinking myself on this perspective, then by accepting, day by day, all related necessary constrains

. How important are The International Yacht and Aviation Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
S: this event is an important meeting point for several professionals, and then allow us to start new interesting relations useful for our professional growth.

. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
S: to increase the yacht and cruise vessel interior design activity
A: to increase the activity in the passenger vessels refit market
The car you drive?
S: Citroen
A: Renault
Your favourite place to travel to in the world?
S: Mediterranean Islands
A: Greek Islands, especially in the low season period
Your favourite hotel/restaurant/bar?
S: Nobu Berkeley St., London
A: Any of the Greek seafront “tavernas”
The place that gives you the most energy?
S: St. James’s Park
A: my house
And the place that enables you to totally relax?
S: Formentera
A: my home garden
Your favourite food and drink?
S: Italian Food, Margarita on the rocks
A: grilled meat and fish, red wine