The Young Designer of the Year Award celebrates the original concepts of student and trainee yacht designers from around the globe. Sponsored by Feadship, this highly regarded award tasks young designers with a realistic client request to challenge their ideas, technical ability and aptitude for delivery. The brief is set to provide valuable and authentic insight into the reality of working as a designer within the superyacht industry.
The task
This year, we invite you to step into the shoes of a newly graduated designer working at Feadship with the task of tackling a bespoke refit project.
The owner is an experienced Feadship explorer yacht client who is now turning their attention to the Mediterranean. Rather than commissioning a new build, they’re looking to modify an existing yacht for faster delivery. The new yacht, to be named Amiche, will serve as a floating social hub for day trips and relaxed coastal cruising. It must be optimised for entertaining large groups of friends while also offering an intimate setting for occasional voyages with just their husband. They don’t want something conventional - Amiche should reflect how they truly spend time on board.
READ THE TASK IN FULLRead More/The task for the Young Designer of the Year Award 2026The entry requirements
The Young Designer of the Year Award 2026 is open to designers who will be 28 years old or younger on 1 January 2026. Entrants must not have been employed for more than living expenses in a yacht design studio.
Read More/The entry requirements of the Young Designer of the Year Award 2026The judges
The Young Designer of the Year Award is judged by a panel consisting of internationally known yacht designers. This year, entrants will be reviewed by representatives from the likes of Winch Design, Reymond Langton Design and Harrison Eidsgaard.
Read More/Meet the judges of the Young Designer of the Year Award 2026The prize
The winner of the Young Designer of the Year Award 2026 was offered an internship at Feadship as well as a cash prize of €3,000.
Feadship Collaborative Challenge
This year, successful finalists will be invited to Feadship’s design office, Studio De Voogt, in 2026 in the Netherlands to participate in a collaborative challenge on a design brief for Feadship. Should the final design meet Feadship’s professional standards, the young designers will see it promoted across the industry.
Nominations for the Young Designer of the Year Award are now open. The winners will be announced at the Superyacht Design Festival 2026 in Kitzbühel on 1-3 February and there are limited early-bird tickets still available. For more information, please email the events team.
SUBMIT A NOMINATIONBUY TICKETS