Navigating Design Differences.
As a superyacht interior consultant, my primary goal is to bring a client's vision to life, ensuring their yacht's interior reflects their unique style and needs, even if it diverges from my own preferences. Navigating a project with a style and palette that aren't my personal choice requires empathy, creativity, and professionalism. I get asked this question from time to time and I think it’s a really good one. So let’s take this conversation futher.
Understanding the Client's Vision
The foundation of any successful project lies in fully understanding the client’s vision. This begins with in-depth consultations to gather insights into their preferences, lifestyle, and the ambiance they wish to create aboard their superyacht. Active listening and asking the right questions are crucial to capturing their aesthetic goals. I also pay close attention to the emotional tone—how do they want to feel in each space? This emotional undercurrent is critical and reveals itself in the final outcome.
Primary key questions to explore include:
Which colours resonate with them?
Are there any colours or textures they absolutely want to avoid?
What are their preferences regarding materials and finishes?
How do they envision the functionality of each space?
What atmosphere do they want to create?
Each answer deepens the conversation, allowing for a more refined and precise brief. As the brief becomes clearer, the visual elements begin to take shape. Body language often speaks volumes, but introducing visuals heightens this communication. Observing these reactions is where I truly grasp the essence of what the client loves—or doesn't.
By immersing myself in the client’s perspective, I can appreciate and bring their vision to life, even when it contrasts with my personal style.
Maintaining Objectivity and Professionalism
As a professional, setting aside personal biases is essential to prioritising the client's satisfaction and vision. Embracing their ideas, even if they differ from my own, is one of the most invigorating aspects of my work. It provides an opportunity to channel creativity and bring to life the diverse visions of my clients. Above all, the process must stay true to the integrity and soul of the project—each one has its own.
Finding Common Ground
Even when a client's style is vastly different from mine, there are always elements we can agree on. Identifying these commonalities helps establish a strong foundation for the project. These connections streamline the design process, allowing us to focus more deeply and effectively as the project evolves.
Embracing challenges and opportunities
Each project is unique, offering its own set of challenges and opportunities for learning. As the project progresses, I increasingly view it through the client's eyes, deepening my understanding of their vision. There’s always a pivotal moment when the project starts to flow, and everything comes together seamlessly. Embracing the project at every stage and allowing it to evolve naturally enriches the experience for everyone involved.
The journey
Recent studies suggest that the journey toward an outcome or goal is where we often find the most joy. Therefore, it’s essential to care deeply about the journey we take. Guiding yacht owners through the interior set-up process is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. It’s during this phase that the vision takes shape, and excitement builds as we move closer to the finished product—the realised dream, from concept to reality. It’s always an honour to be part of this special time.