SYD Week Speaker Spotlight: Rob Doyle
Head designer at Ron Holland Design for 18 years, working on projects like Mirabella V, the world's largest sloop, and now at the helm of his own studio in Kinsale, Rob Doyle speaks to SYD ahead of SuperyachtDESIGN Week.…
Head designer at Ron Holland Design for 18 years, working on projects like Mirabella V, the world's largest sloop, and Ethereal, one of the most technically advanced sailing superyachts ever built, Rob Doyle has just struck out on his own. This year, Doyle announced that he would be taking the helm at the Kinsale offices and starting his own studio while Holland relocates the centre of his activity to Vancouver, Canada. SYD caught up with Doyle ahead of SuperyachtDESIGN Week where he will be on the panel with Evan K Marshall and Awlgrip's Ken Hickling for a Design Question Time entitled ‘New Blood: The Entry Process’.
SuperyachtDesign: Why did you get into superyacht design?
Rob Doyle: For the love of design. It's an exciting place to be, to create unique yachts that are so specific to a client's request, to push the realms of technology and materials and have a vessel that can operate in all conditions and keep people safe. Thirty years ago, sailing in Cork Harbour in dinghies, I did not know that you could have a career in designing. It seemed so perfect a life that you could get paid to do what you truly loved. When I joined Ron Holland, my eyes were opened to the wonderful world of superyacht design. We were at the cutting edge with many industry firsts and, after 18 years as his chief designer, I feel blessed to have worked with a living legend.
SYD: What is your design philosophy?
RD: I'm a big believer in the KISS [Keep It Simple Stupid] system and not creating complicated styling for the sake of it—every item has to bring something to the overall look of the yacht. You have to make it an exciting experience for the clients, to give them exactly what they want so that they can be proud of their creation.
SYD: What makes the world of superyacht design such an exciting realm to work in?
RD: Seeing works of floating sculpture—with the sole purpose of giving enjoyment to people—you realise how it's possible to explore the use of shapes and materials, both functional and beautiful, to achieve perfect balance between form and function.
SYD: Sailing yachts or motoryachts?
RD: Both offer different solutions to the experience of being on the sea and to explore.
SYD: You will be on the panel for a Designer Question Time at SuperyachtDESIGN Week called 'New Blood: The Entry Process'. What is key for you to attracting new clients into the industry and making sure they are happy?
RD: The key is to show our clients that we as an industry are transparent and trustworthy. Creating yachts is all about the fun factor and trust. As soon as you make it difficult, it becomes work for the client and this is not the reason why they are buying the yacht.
SYD: Why are events like SuperyachtDESIGN Week important?
RD: These events are a way of giving something back. It is essential to interact and to get the views of others on specific subjects that are fundamental to the growth and development of our industry.
‘New Blood: The Entry Process’ will take place on Tuesday 18 June 2013 at 12:45 to 13:30 at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. To learn more about SuperyachtDESIGN Week, the programme and register to attend, visit the SuperyachtDESIGN Week website here. You can keep up to date with the event, speakers and share your thoughts on Twitter using #SYDWeek.
SuperyachtDesign: Why did you get into superyacht design?
Rob Doyle: For the love of design. It's an exciting place to be, to create unique yachts that are so specific to a client's request, to push the realms of technology and materials and have a vessel that can operate in all conditions and keep people safe. Thirty years ago, sailing in Cork Harbour in dinghies, I did not know that you could have a career in designing. It seemed so perfect a life that you could get paid to do what you truly loved. When I joined Ron Holland, my eyes were opened to the wonderful world of superyacht design. We were at the cutting edge with many industry firsts and, after 18 years as his chief designer, I feel blessed to have worked with a living legend.
SYD: What is your design philosophy?
RD: I'm a big believer in the KISS [Keep It Simple Stupid] system and not creating complicated styling for the sake of it—every item has to bring something to the overall look of the yacht. You have to make it an exciting experience for the clients, to give them exactly what they want so that they can be proud of their creation.
SYD: What makes the world of superyacht design such an exciting realm to work in?
RD: Seeing works of floating sculpture—with the sole purpose of giving enjoyment to people—you realise how it's possible to explore the use of shapes and materials, both functional and beautiful, to achieve perfect balance between form and function.
SYD: Sailing yachts or motoryachts?
RD: Both offer different solutions to the experience of being on the sea and to explore.
SYD: You will be on the panel for a Designer Question Time at SuperyachtDESIGN Week called 'New Blood: The Entry Process'. What is key for you to attracting new clients into the industry and making sure they are happy?
RD: The key is to show our clients that we as an industry are transparent and trustworthy. Creating yachts is all about the fun factor and trust. As soon as you make it difficult, it becomes work for the client and this is not the reason why they are buying the yacht.
SYD: Why are events like SuperyachtDESIGN Week important?
RD: These events are a way of giving something back. It is essential to interact and to get the views of others on specific subjects that are fundamental to the growth and development of our industry.
‘New Blood: The Entry Process’ will take place on Tuesday 18 June 2013 at 12:45 to 13:30 at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. To learn more about SuperyachtDESIGN Week, the programme and register to attend, visit the SuperyachtDESIGN Week website here. You can keep up to date with the event, speakers and share your thoughts on Twitter using #SYDWeek.
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