In the yacht industry the trend is moving from superyachts towards megayachts of 100+ meters long. What are the biggest challenges and why? Alan McVitty, creative director at M Studio in London, discusses in an exclusive interview the difficulty of sourcing the materials to achieve the desired look and feel within the interior and still meeting the regulations. For more information read the whole interview here: http://bit.ly/Interview_MStudio or visit our website: http://bit.ly/Superyacht_Website

1. PUSHING BOUNDARIES - FROM
SUPERYACHT TO MEGAYACHT
EXPERT INTERVIEW
Alan McVitty, creative director at M Studio London will be guiding us in the transition from super- to
megayacht with his presentation at the first international Superyacht Interior 2015. He has had a very
interesting path before becoming an expert for interior design on yachts, specifically. His impressive
backgroundenableshimtoexcitehiscustomersbothon-andoffshoreandtoalwayspushtheboundaries
a little further. Before the event, we sat down with Alan to talk about his background and how he came
to sea. He also explains how to effectively utilize space by smart design and create a feeling of space.
Read the full interview here!
IQPC: Can you tell us a bit more about your
background? How come you started working on
Superyacht design? And what made you start
your own company?
Alan: In my career I started out designing hotels
worldwide before entering the marine industry.
Working within the luxury sector came very easily
for me.
Whilst at KCA International I was involved with the
Burj Al Arab hotel. The Burj became the world’s first
seven star hotel. I started consulting for SMC Design
in London (sister company of Tilburg of Sweden). I
worked on a large variety of cruise ship interiors
whilst with SMC.
The most famous being the QE2 and then the QM2
for Cunard Line. I brought a new era of interior
design within the cruise ships I worked on by moving
my clients towards more tasteful layered schemes.
In 2001 I took the opportunity to be the manager
of the interior design department within Harrods
department store in London. I worked with my team
to create luxurious residential projects throughout
London. In addition to this I worked directly for the
chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed on his private interior
projects.
By 2002 I knew I wanted to do my own thing and took
the step to start my own company. Starting initially
from the kitchen table I have grown my business to
what it is today.
Through connections I have made in my career I
have had the opportunity to work on a mixture of
commercial, residential and marine projects.
As you can imagine the industry is quite small and
you get to know people along the way.
I met yacht designer Clifford Denn whilst concepting
the interior of the QM2 project.

2. EXPERT INTERVIEW
Clifford was commissioned for the exterior profiling
of the ocean liner. He and I have collaborated on
projects together whilst at SMC on cruise ships and
ferries. When I left and formed M STUDIO, Cliff and I
have worked on several yacht projects together.
Ironically it was Stephen Howard formally of H2
Yacht Design who proposed I work at Harrods.
Despite Serena’s warnings I took the Job!
Ioftenthinkthingsrunincycleswhenthecommercial
industry slows down the private residential side of
our work picks up. However there has been a great
improvement in all sectors over the last two years.
IQPC: You have been working in many different
areas like residential, marine and commercial
interior design. Where do you see an overlap in
challenges? How do you profit from this variety
of expertise when designing for superyachts
A: Within the projects I have been involved in there is
adesiretopushthebarhigherintermsofqualityand
luxury. I believe this is a trend through all sectors so
therefore the superyachts have to be the pinnacle of
excellence in every way. From my commercial work I
have a very pragmatic approach to the design. Form
and function have to unite as well as practicality
and durability. Good design should look great years
after conception. From the residential side of interior
design I bring to all projects the need to make each
project unique and reflect my client’s personalities.
My staff and I enjoy the challenges of every project
and thrive in the mix of work.
IQPC: At our conference you will speak about
the trend of superyachts moving towards
megayachts 100+ meters long. What are the
biggest challenges and why?
A: The length of the superyachts is increasing
with clients desires to have the biggest and the
best. We have also seen the same trend true in the
commercial sector. The choice of materials within
the interior in private yacht market had benefitted
from a larger choice due to the regulations within
this sector. However as the superyachts have grown
in size the regulations have become on par of that
of a cruise liner. This can prove a problem when
sourcing materials for the vessel.
IQPC: How can you make sure you understand
the clients wishes, but he/she also understands
what is even possible from a design standpoint?
A: Through the process of designing the interior the
client it is made clear as to what can be achieved.
Part of what makes my work interesting is working
through a problem and getting a solution that both
client and governing bodies are happy with.
IQPC: A typical problem when designing the
interior for superyachts is that you have to
make what feels too small feel bigger. Is that
easier when designing for megayachts? Why or
why not?
A: Utilizing space and creating storage solutions
are always worked into the design regardless of
the size of yacht. Space is a luxury so therefore
we try and give the impression of more space by
using lighter tones and reflective surfaces. As you
can appreciate on the larger super yachts we have
the privilege of more space to play with so we can