Interviews med Baran Akalin

I started my carrier as an Architect and was working with one of the best architecture studio ( Atelye 70 ) in Istanbul.

After 2 years I started to study Industrial Design Master in U.S and Yacht Design master in Italy. Now I have 9 years of experience in the market. 7 years in marine industry.

That is an interesting story.

I was always interested to art and creation. Also I love to create living space and that is why I started my carrier with studying Architecture. Meanwhile , I started to work in my uncle's architecture studio in Istanbul and we also have some Italian people working inside.

We were working on very unique and huge project. Everything was fine I was so happy to work there.But , after two years of hard work , I realize that I am not enjoying working in construction market. But still I do enjoy to create/designing living space and from my childhood , I always passion about cars and boats ( basically the things has engine and I can drive ).

So in this period , our architecture project has been canceled to provide more money income to build bigger buildings. That was the last drop for me.Then I decided to change my field to car and boat design which is Industrial Design subjects and my patients. While I was searching for master program , my close friend from elementary school, called me to his university in San Francisco. Which was quiet nice for me because they have qualified for car design and also they have boat design on optional class.So , I went to San Francisco to study master of Industrial Design. While I was there , I realize that car design is very fun but I am actually not free to design what I like , I have to design cars for thousands of people also for some car brand and carry their styles at the end. But boat design is totally spacial design project for the client only. That was so exited for me. So I decided to turn my face totally to the Boat/Yacht Design in that master program. But there was another barrier waiting for me. The master program was 4 years with doctorate and optional boat design class has been canceled because of the insufficient students.

Then I was thinking to change my university but I didn't know which way should I go. All of my teachers were saying that I have to stay in that school and learn the job on the market while working.

Except one teacher from Mexico ( he is the designer of '68 mustang interior and experienced on boat design ) He called me to the his room to be sure that no one is listening to us.Because

they can fire him if he let me change the school!

Thanks to him , he showed me the way of yacht design master program in Italy. Then as soon as possible I changed my school and went to study Yacht Design Master in Italy.

After my master program, I had selected for Internship in very nice yacht design studio in Venice/Italy.

After I return from Italy , I started working on similar project that I did on my Internship as a Freelance Designer.

Now I have a design studio based in Istanbul and working worldwide. Also I am a Instructor at Maltepe university - Yacht Design Section which is second bachelor Yacht Design program in the world and speaker at the IDD ( Italian Design Days ).

My main priority is staying away from standard designs and making unique designs as well as finding the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetic.

Creating things from nothing is the most satisfying thing for me and I feel so exited like I am in love.

Making Music and research about any thing I see. This sounds like a bit philosophy and yes it is.

My future plan is making much better designs and trying to catch perfect balance in design. My dream project is to built fastest yacht in the world.

My biggest advise would be; stay away from negative people who can effect your work and stay close to the reality as much as you can.

After I woke up , I don't spend time in my house , I go to my studio as fast as possible and I eat my breakfast on the way or in the studio. because I have found most concentration in the morning when I feel much more creative. And after the work I meat with some friends to chill out and start fresh for the next morning.

They are highly important. They defines us as a good designer or not. To not following the trends feels like I am one step behind.

I follow them mostly on the websites and colleagues from industry.

If that design is unique , keeps the aesthetic rules , different and fully functional with ease of use , then I called it is a very good design.

Actually never decide that. If my design gives me the feeling what I need like excitement , that means I am on the right way.And project deadline decides when it should be ready.

The last one - Escalade - is the design that I most proud of. Because it is the real game changer and allow me create one of the most unique vehicle in the marine industry.

Daniel Simon

I play drums about 15 years and I was involved with many amateur bands during this time. Making music feels very good as much as doing design. I really love creating things.I really inspire from the music.

I am also a camper. I love nature and once in a month we are going to camping with the friends right middle of the forest with wild nature. I also really like to have adrenaline that is why I was doing rock climbing in the past.

Another thing that I like to do is care of my classic jeep ( 1979 ). I enjoy changing her parts , and doing also off-road with her while we are in the forest for camping.

It is very important to know what you are doing and also very important what you are targeting. I always know my targets and always keep them perfection as much as possible.

To make my self so clear for the people who does not know me before.

Next generation and galactic design. Idea is to create most unique and high-tech marine vessel as well as her hull (body) This is the future of marine vessels.Better stability , much faster and low fuel consumption.

Main focus was as timeless as possible. I always want , even after 50 years , design should still giving an inspiration.

To built it.

The hull is completed with many tries and tests in 25 years, and rest of her took 4 months to design.

I decide to pursuit an inspiration because I believe this will bring better solutions to the marine industry.

We are looking for the builder or client to built her.

Vision and experience.

Hull design/ invention by G. Jelle Bilkert and rest of her exterior and general arrangement is my work.

Any one who can effort and enjoy the first game changer of the sea. A family and their friends who can travel and stay on the sea about 3 or 4 weeks.

Hull design and hull's benefits.

Escalade means ; the scaling of fortified walls using ladders, as a form of military attack. Because I think this design will be raising up to the top and will overshadow others

Autocad , Photohop , Alias surface , V-ray.

Her hull and large areas enough to have similar space with 33 meters yachts on 25 meters.

Yes absolutely. Worked with Mr. Gerard Jelle Bilkert - the inventer of this new generation hull.

She will be using latest marine technologies when she built.

Mostly technological researches for the engineering and galactic designs for the styling.

Big challenge was creating the General Arrangement and placing the engines. Because she has totally different hull type then other marine vessels.

I as always thinking to send my designs to A Design Awards and when I started this unique project I said ; this is the time.

I learned that design is limitless and we can improve our designs as much as we improve ourselves.

I educated in the areas of architecture and industrial design in the U.S. and masters degree in Yacht Design in Italy.

I worked as an architect for 2 years but

To create new things from nothing. And feels amazing when I drive what I draw.

I design yachts and yachts only. I rejected many building projects by now. Mostly I like to design 2 or 3 cabin yachts because they can built for speed and living.

They should ignore to think about money, of course we need it but focusing only to the money is blocks their vision to see the things on different perspective.

Good designer is combine the things that sees around , great designer is reach the almost perfect balance between functionality and aesthetic.

To make the perfect balance between ease of use and make it look great. good design is has to be always minimalist , pure, stylish and good quality.

Good design will carry the company up , if people like it , they will not hesitate to pay for it.

I would like to design most unique fastest yacht ever for the movie star.

A special yacht for parties.

Always looking with different perspectives.

Daniel Simon

Bubble ship by Daniel Simon

Barrell 20 meters fast commuter yacht. She has 3 x 2500 hp engines and she will be the world's fastest luxury yacht when she built.

Always searching and by criticized themselves

Probably a painter, I really like to drawing.

Design is a piece of art that we can use or drive it.

my family was my biggest supporters.

working hard and keep standing up every time fall down.

To explain my design style.

I think they should present on good quality images. I am seeing many design presentation so weak , even if the design is so great , it reduces the perception.

Next one will be World first Trimonoran Sail yacht.

To catch the perfect balance in design.

They are expecting different and good designs to sell.

Currently working on interior design of first serial power catamaran of our country.

most of it. because I really like to create and drive vessel.

I would be very happy if shipyards and clients choose more young designers to work with.

More pure and solid designs are coming in the future.

It depends how big the project is.3 - 24 months

I will complete it about one month and she will start production in a shipyard/ Istanbul

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.

Absolutely.

Has a big role , I always follow and add latest technologies to my designs.

Autocad , Photoshop , Rhino , Alias Surface , Keyshot and V-ray

Color ; determines gender

Material ; determines quality

Ambient ; determines designer's perspective

Anything about the style and new inventions but not the price!

I get jealous

Yes I believe , but has to be doing different part in the same project. I believe working together makes very strong designs.

science fiction and philosophy books

With working hard and asking why in every step.

Carl Sagan

I feel great and addicted. I feel like I have to do great designs every time as people requests also.

Color ; Ocean blue

Place ; my home

Food ; red meat

Season ; Autumn

Thing ; my car ( 1979 classic jeep )

I was telling negative comments about a design without knowing that I am talking with the subject designer in the meeting with full of people.It was very funny.

Listening music and driving.Best combination ever.

Obvious thing that I will be doing a creative work for sure and 'becoming a designer' was one of them.

I think we will be living on another planet.Maybe another universe.

I am also camper and I play drums in a rock band for many years. Music&Nature is the best thing for my soul and they are effecting my designs.

B.A. ; I educated in the areas of architecture and industrial design in the U.S. and masters degree in Yacht Design in Italy. I always have passion about cars and boats. Basically I like the vessels with engine and loud sounds.At the same time , I really care about my living space and love to create them.And like most of people I love the water and sea. When we combine these elements , designing yachts was unavoidable.

J.B. : Struggle at many schools and became architectural engineer

Baran Akalın Design is a Yacht Design firm established in 2015 and reassures to crate perfect balance between aesthetic and functional system with timeless designs..

J. B. ; See www.anwigema.nl

Many years of experience achieved by collaborating with some of the most renown design companies and shipyards brought me to become experienced in designing exterior/interior of custom yachts and serial production yachts, beginning from the conceptual drawings up to the production project and project management during construction.

I am also academician on Yacht Design section and lecturer/concultant with Yacht Design at the Italian Design Days (IDD).

B.A. ; Design is a piece of art that we can actually use or drive it.

J. B. ; Result of combinations

B.A. ; I like to design mostly solid pieces with living space. Like 20 meters yacht.

J.B. ; Finding possibilities

B.A. ; favorite one is my 20 meters concept design. Inspired by muscle cars and I called her a ' muscle yacht'. She has 3x 2500 HP engines and ready break the speed record.

J.B. ; Still to come

B. A. ; First thing was a small 6.80 meters boat serial production boat. The shipyard is making 2-3 of them every month. It is called 'mini yacht' in the market.

J.B ; Faster producing scale 1:1 detail drawings

B.A. ; My favorite material is stainless- steel. It doesn't get rust and stays the same for a very long time.

J.B. ; People / situation / all

B.A. ; When I have done all the things to do and when I am alone.

J.B. ; Alone

B.A. ; Functionality and build process with high quality look.

J. B. ; Alternatives

B.A ; I feel very exited and keep thinking all the time in my mind in every perspective.

J.B. ; Less

B.A ; I can not describe them. But closest one is the feeling when I am fall in love.

J.B, ; Doubts

B.A. ; Has to be different and functional, but has to carry the some aesthetic rules at the same time.

J.B. ; To exist

First I examine the functionality of the design. If there are some problems about it , the appearance is useless.

The designer should create new point of view on the design. Other wise we keep copy things and every thing looks similar.

Design will never end. Every level of our future, there will be another object to design. I think there will be so much solid designs will be in the future because of the 3d printer technology.

My biggest inspiration is music. Good quality music is inspires me a lot.

My design style mostly is sportive and aggressive. Classic-muscle cars made me explore this style. 50 years old but still alive. I tried to make them as cool as possible and timeless.

I live in Istanbul and no the doesn't effect at all.

J. B. ; Try to avoid

There are many good young designers in the market. I suggest the companies more working with them. Most of the companies stuck with old designers.

Starting with sketches and going to 2D profile and layouts. These are very important to decide what the project will look like. After that 3d modeling and rendering. If every thing is good, starting to draw production project.

First one my seat of course. I can't live without a comfortable seat. Second one is my working table. I made a spacial big one just for my self and I really enjoy to work on that. Third one is my decorative dusk light.Also stylish speakers and real artwork picture.

B.A. ; Going to studio in the morning and meeting with some friends after the work.

J.B. ; Get up, live, go asleep

Never limit themselves about the people around them and play an instrument , make a music. Specially being a member of a brand will keep them alive.

The negative thing is we spend so much time front of the computer/table. That effects your social life. But there are some positive things that ignore the negativity. Creating something from nothing feels priceless and honorable. Also another epic moment when I drive what I design is feels amazing. Only these things enough to spend all your time for designing.

B.A. ; My golden rule is to create timeless designs that will never get old.

J.B. ; Check, re-check, etc.

B.A. ; The most important one is ' Vision ' , others will follow.

J.B. ; Knowledge

Photoshop, Keyshot, Rhino, V-ray, Alias Surface and Autocad.

Time is very important thing to manage. When I did my daily quests till midday , I start working to late night because 24 hours never enough. Most of the time I work on weekends.

It depends on the project. For example 12 meters power catamaran took 4-5 months to finalize. But bigger yachts like mega yachts take 1-2 years.

Unfortunately the most question is about the price of the yachts. I would be happier if people ask me about the design I made. Because there is so much to tell about it but only very few people cares about.

Most important one is my first job experience. It was a freelance job but big one for me to have responsibility of 33 meters yacht interior design. That experience was actually taught me a lot; how to deal with the client , how to deal with the shipyard and how to organize your work/project.

Shipyards , boat brands and business man/Clients.

B.A ; Most I enjoy to design range between 20 and 30 meters yacht. Because these kind of yachts are more compact , fast and better for also daily use.

J.B. ; Problem solving

Making much better yacht designs and keep searching for the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetic.

Actually both. I am a design partner of another marine vessels company and also owner of my design studio.

I have been working on serial production power catamaran first time in my country's history last couple of months. It was quite nice experience that it was my first time designing a power catamaran interior and exterior.I enjoyed it alot.

B.A. ; www.baranakalin.com , akalin.baran@gmail.com

J.B. ; E-mail: gjb@anwigema.nl, phone: +31 655 974 092

Every idea cost money, design is creating alternatives

'A garage' in a catamaran is harder then 'a garage' in a regular mono hull yacht, because catamaran's middle hull is way higher then the mono hulls. That is why we need to store the boat higher and also we need make it lower at the same time because of the aesthetic standards. We lower the middle hull at that point and we organize the steps as good as possible to have a garage under the main deck. But there was also another challenge to take the boat 60 cm higher from the water line. That is why Volcat 43 has a hydraulic platform that lift the boat from water to the garage level.

This awareness actually improved me in general to make the boat as functional as possible that a boat that is both environmentally friendly and user-friendly has emerged.

This subject was completely requested by Volant Yacht, the main idea was to combine all the features of other similar models and make a functionally complete boat. We achieved this even though it was difficult on a 43 ft boat.

I went for this kind of work because it had to be a completely modern and spacious interior design. At the same time, the fact that the technology is easy to clean always makes it look clean and this leads to the perception of quality. The fact that it currently has all these features makes me happy.

Working with the robotic system allowed me to produce more freedom, especially on the surfaces of the exterior design. Because if this was handmade, the surfaces would not be so perfect. We have experienced this in our other boat projects. In addition to the surfaces being perfect, it is also very important for them to be completely symmetrical. Although it may seem imperceptible, the human eye catches asymmetry. This gives the feeling of a low-quality product. For this reason, the robotic system is very important in revealing the character of the boat.

Controlling large catamarans like this is always more difficult than other boats. Usually a bow thruster solves this problem, but since catamarans have two hulls, it is necessary to put 2 bow thrusters or 1 asymmetrical one. Since neither of these solutions seem very logical, it seemed more correct and logical to solve this problem on the 360-degree rotating propellers with joystick control.

This approach definitely shaped the exterior design. Thanks to this perspective, I created a design concept that looks strong and solid, and gives the user confidence at sea. Because the sea is not always flat and safe. When big waves form in bad weather conditions, it becomes dangerous and the user needs a boat that will trust him even in such weather. That's why Volcat 43 was designed in accordance with this perspective.

Nowadays, after the pandemic, families started renting boats more instead of hotels or seasonal summer houses. Since it is safer and more comfortable, boat rental has become very common. For this reason, we take the rental side into consideration in all the projects we do now.

More functional and environmentally friendly products will definitely emerge. Or, work will be done to make them emerge.It will pave the way for more modern designs that look stronger and give the user more confidence.

These features are a very difficult combination to create on a boat like 43 feet catamaran. Creating a combination like this requires first of all a very good architectural knowledge, the first priority is always the comfort of the user. Secondly, the user has to like this product. This is again achieved by dressing a very good aesthetic structure on top of the first priority. In other words, it is necessary to be good at ratio-proportion relationships so that an aesthetic appearance can be achieved in such a short and high structure.