Renowned superyacht builder Oceanco has confirmed that it will once again sponsor the Young Designer of the Year Award 2014 in conjunction with Boat International Media.
'Oceanco is privileged to once again support the Young Designer of the Year Award presented by Boat International Media,' says Dirk de Jong, Manager Project Development and Innovation at Oceanco. 'Winning this prestigious award is an important milestone in the career of student and trainee designers. Their fresh interpretation of the ultimate luxury in yachting and lifestyle onboard often offers an original look at standard requirements and new trends. At Oceanco, we follow new design talent with great interest and are pleased to be able to encourage and celebrate the vision of young designers.'
The Young Designer of the Year Award is presented during the ShowBoats Design Awards, which will take place 24 February 2014 at Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Austria. The ShowBoats Design Awards are held on the first evening of the Superyacht Design Symposium, a two-day design-focused events for designers, superyacht owners and industry professionals.
The aim of the Young Designer of Year Award is to seek out and recognise young talent in the superyacht industry. Entries are invited from current students and practising yacht designers who will be 25 years old and younger by 1 January, 2014.
An esteemed panel of practicing superyacht designers will choose five finalists competing for the Young Designer of the Year Award, all of which are invited to attend the ShowBoats Design Awards, and will benefit from opportunities to advance their design careers. The finalists will received complimentary access to the 2014 Superyacht Design Symposium and an all-expenses paid visit to Oceanco’s shipyard in The Netherlands. A further discretionary prize will offer the highest ranked student of yacht design a two-week work experience placement in an established yacht design office. The designer winning the top prize of Young Designer of the Year will receive a gold Neptune trophy and €5,000 cash prize.
Entries close very soon for the Young Designer of Year 2014 competition. Boat International Media have received an astounding quantity of exceptional entries and look forward to accepting further submissions until 12 pm (GMT) on 9 January, 2014.
Aspiring yacht designer Stefano Inglese reflects upon an exciting year since being named as the winner of the 2013 Award. 'I felt pure joy when I was announced the winner at the gala evening and receiving the award has inspired me to work and study even harder,' Inglese says. 'The award has given me with the unique opportunity to visit some of the best shipyards in the world, including Oceanco, as well as the chance to meet many industry specialists whom I admire. Thanks to the acknowledgement of talented young designers through this award, I look forward to continuing a career in yacht design.'