SYDW Speaker Spotlight: Svetlana Mojic
SuperyachtDesign speaks with Svetlana Mojic of Salt & Water design studio, an interactive workshop leader at SYDW next month.…
UK, London. Svetlana Mojic is the Owner and Design Director of Salt & Water, an exciting new design studio in Serbia responsible for a number of pioneering projects, ashore and at sea. SuperyachtDesign speaks to Svetlana ahead of SuperyachtDESIGN Week (SYDW), held from 23 – 25 June, where she will be moderating a Design Debate, one of the many workshops at this year’s event.
SuperyachtDesign: What project have you found most challenging?
Svetlana Mojic: Every project has its challenges. Restoring Mamula Island was an extremely complicated and extensive project. We turned one of the biggest and best-preserved Austrian fortifications on the Adriatic into a tourist resort, while preserving the fortress and being as least invasive as possible. For the floating hotel with catamaran apartments, we had to use innovative ideas to meet the initial design requirements. Finally, the interior design for Airbender 100’, a racing trimaran, was especially demanding as we had to develop a unique interior design concept as there was such limited space inside.
SYD: Can you describe your creative process?
SM: At the beginning of every project, I dedicate time to get to know our client in order to understand their needs and wishes. I believe that being honest with clients and spending time talking to them about their vision is the key for good design and a satisfied customer. Based on that, we start preparing a preliminary design. It is important to understand that this is a two-way process, where the client constantly gives us comments, which our team then considers whilst updating and further developing the idea. Once the concept is finished, we then develop the main project with experts from different fields. Also, we closely monitor our projects through all phases of construction. The smile of joy and delight on the client’s face upon seeing completed project is always rewarding and makes the whole team feel like all of the effort and hard work has truly paid off.
SYD: What/who inspires your designs?
SM: My biggest resource for inspiration is nature. Different cultures, cities, history, everything can be inspiration for designing.
SYD: How did you become involved with yacht design?
SM: I am a passionate sailor, and drawing and designing was a way of playing from my early childhood. After many years as a member on the National Sailing Team of Serbia (Yugoslavia) and after completion of my studies in architecture, it was only logical to connect the things that I enjoy doing and make it my profession.
SYD: What do you think the superyacht design world can learn from other industries?
SM: Every two years, the amount of knowledge in the world doubles and innovations in various industries are often very applicable to each other. Broadening the design world and gathering experience from different fields gives us the opportunity to continue to learn new techniques that can be applied in the yacht industry.
Our clients know how to appreciate life and the beauty of nature, our goal is to design a solution that best suits their wishes, respect their traditional values whilst striving to use the latest achievements in industry, in order to give the best performance.
SYD: What session are you looking forward to the most at SYDW?
SM: I am very interested in the Design Debates to hear what other professionals think about their chosen subjects.
Related Links:
SuperyachtDesign: What project have you found most challenging?
Svetlana Mojic: Every project has its challenges. Restoring Mamula Island was an extremely complicated and extensive project. We turned one of the biggest and best-preserved Austrian fortifications on the Adriatic into a tourist resort, while preserving the fortress and being as least invasive as possible. For the floating hotel with catamaran apartments, we had to use innovative ideas to meet the initial design requirements. Finally, the interior design for Airbender 100’, a racing trimaran, was especially demanding as we had to develop a unique interior design concept as there was such limited space inside.
Salt & Water's Mamula Island project
SYD: Can you describe your creative process?
SM: At the beginning of every project, I dedicate time to get to know our client in order to understand their needs and wishes. I believe that being honest with clients and spending time talking to them about their vision is the key for good design and a satisfied customer. Based on that, we start preparing a preliminary design. It is important to understand that this is a two-way process, where the client constantly gives us comments, which our team then considers whilst updating and further developing the idea. Once the concept is finished, we then develop the main project with experts from different fields. Also, we closely monitor our projects through all phases of construction. The smile of joy and delight on the client’s face upon seeing completed project is always rewarding and makes the whole team feel like all of the effort and hard work has truly paid off.
SYD: What/who inspires your designs?
SM: My biggest resource for inspiration is nature. Different cultures, cities, history, everything can be inspiration for designing.
SYD: How did you become involved with yacht design?
SM: I am a passionate sailor, and drawing and designing was a way of playing from my early childhood. After many years as a member on the National Sailing Team of Serbia (Yugoslavia) and after completion of my studies in architecture, it was only logical to connect the things that I enjoy doing and make it my profession.
Salt & Water's floating hotel with catamaran apartments
SYD: What do you think the superyacht design world can learn from other industries?
SM: Every two years, the amount of knowledge in the world doubles and innovations in various industries are often very applicable to each other. Broadening the design world and gathering experience from different fields gives us the opportunity to continue to learn new techniques that can be applied in the yacht industry.
Our clients know how to appreciate life and the beauty of nature, our goal is to design a solution that best suits their wishes, respect their traditional values whilst striving to use the latest achievements in industry, in order to give the best performance.
SYD: What session are you looking forward to the most at SYDW?
SM: I am very interested in the Design Debates to hear what other professionals think about their chosen subjects.
Svetlana is leading the interactive Design Debate: Unity in the next Gen, on day 1 of SuperyachtDESIGN Week, discussing how designers can bridge the gap between different fields. To view the full programme, please click here.
To register for the superyacht industry’s most prestigious design event, click here!
To register for the superyacht industry’s most prestigious design event, click here!
SuperyachtDESIGN Week is proudly sponsored by
Gold level: Awlgrip and Blohm+Voss Shipyards. Silver level: Clyde & Co and OceanLED. Bronze level: Heirlooms, RINA and SA Baxter Architectural Hardware.
Related Links:
Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.
