We are thrilled to announce Yves Béhar as the keynote speaker for the Superyacht Design Festival in Kitzbühel, taking place from February 2-4, 2025.
Swiss-born American designer Béhar is behind some of the world’s most iconic products, including the Herman Miller Sayl Chair, Samsung Frame TV, and the SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet.
As the Founder and CEO of Fuseproject, a San Francisco-based design and innovation studio, Béhar has developed products for brands such as Jawbone, Kodak, L’Oréal, Prada, PUMA, and SodaStream. Fuseproject operates on the belief that design accelerates the adoption of new ideas, striving to "create ideas that surprise, turn heads, and inspire people to see in new ways."
With sustainability at the core of his work, Béhar advocates for products that are not only commercially viable but also contribute to social good. His work with TELO Trucks exemplifies this philosophy, as they are pioneering electric vehicles with a focus on sustainability and innovative design, offering compact, highly efficient trucks that reshape our relationship with vehicles by prioritising environmental impact and urban mobility.
Béhar is also known for his pioneering use of new materials, particularly in his collaboration with CityCortex, where he explored cutting-edge solutions for urban infrastructure. His innovative approach to materials has helped redefine how cities can be designed with sustainability and functionality in mind.
A leader in AI and robotics, Béhar has led the design of Moxie, an emotionally intelligent robot for children, and ElliQ, an AI companion for the elderly. He has also spearheaded humanitarian projects, including a partnership with the non-profit The Ocean Cleanup and the development of Proteus, a cutting-edge underwater research station for the Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center.
Béhar is now applying his multi-disciplinary approach to the world of yacht design. In his keynote at the Superyacht Design Festival, he will discuss his latest creation and share how his extensive experience in product design has shaped his fresh perspective on yacht design.
Béhar said,“My collaborative work with brands and partners including Herman Miller, The Ocean Cleanup, and TELO Trucks reflects my commitment to advance sustainability through design. My work is rooted in the belief that design accelerates the adoption of new ideas, and my venture into yacht design pushes the boundaries of innovation within this space. I have deep respect for our oceans, and my goal is to design cleaner, more efficient ways to experience them.”
Béhar’s work is featured in the collections of major museums, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He has received over 300 awards and was named one of TIME Magazine’s Top 25 Visionaries. Forbes has recognized him as the “Most Influential Industrial Designer in the World.”
The Superyacht Design Festival 2025 will see some of the biggest names in design come together with experts from the wider luxury community for exciting discussions, plus a social programme, the Design & Innovation Awards, the Young Designer of the Year Award, the BOAT Artistry and Craft Awards and the famous Ski Cup.
Attendees can expect an exciting lineup covering all areas of design. Other talks include presentations by kinetic artist Zolty, an update on the much-anticipated sailing proposition Project Zero, fireside chats with superyacht owners and designer Andrew Winch, panel discussions on nuclear and hull innovation, and a special talk from the designers of the Paris Olympics’ silver horse, the semi-submerged catamaran that ‘galloped’ along the River Seine at the opening ceremony.
New speakers are being announced all the time, so click below to find out more and buy tickets.
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