Eight emerging designers will compete in the 2026 Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition.
The finalists will put their creativity and technical skills to the test at Southampton International Boat Show.
The competition takes place on Sunday 20 and Monday 21 September 2026.
Eight young designers reach the final
Superyacht UK organises the competition to support emerging yacht design talent.
It gives students the chance to respond to a professional superyacht design brief.
The competition also provides valuable experience and industry exposure.
The 2026 finalists come from universities across the UK.
They represent several design disciplines, including yacht, automotive, transport and interior design.
The finalists are:
- Roman Aime – Yacht and Powercraft Design, Solent University
- Yuan Qi – MA Interior Design, Kingston University London
- Adam Platt – Automotive and Transport Design, University of Staffordshire
- Sam McMann – Automotive and Transport Design, University of Staffordshire
- Oliver Weaver – Automotive and Transport Design, Coventry University
- James Horrocks – Automotive and Transport Design, University of Staffordshire
- Maya Kim – MA Interior Design, Kingston University London
- Charlotte Redfearn – Automotive and Transport Design, University of Staffordshire
Finalists face a demanding yacht design brief
The finalists will receive their live brief at 16:00 on Saturday 19 September.
They will then begin their design work on Sunday morning.
Over the following day and a half, they must develop their concepts under tight time pressure.
The competition aims to replicate conditions faced by professional yacht designers.
Therefore, finalists must balance creativity with practical and technical considerations.
They must also consider visual impact and commercial viability.
Industry experts will judge the designs
A judging panel will assess the completed concepts.
The judges will include leading figures from across the superyacht design sector.
They will consider each finalist’s originality and quality of development.
They will also assess how effectively each designer communicates their vision.
Consequently, the competition offers more than a test of creative ability.
It also gives finalists valuable feedback from experienced industry professionals.
Leading superyacht companies support competition
The competition has support from several major industry partners.
They include Sunseeker, Princess Yachts, RWD, Cockwells and Winch Design.
Their involvement brings additional industry expertise to the event.
It also gives students greater insight into professional superyacht design.
Watch the young designers at Southampton Boat Show
The competition will take place at the Coffee Station in the New Wave Hall.
Drawing begins at 09:00 on Sunday 20 September.
The competition concludes at 12:30 on Monday 21 September.
Southampton International Boat Show visitors can watch the finalists at work.
They will see the concepts develop from initial sketches into complete yacht designs.
Prize-giving ceremony
The prize-giving ceremony takes place on the Boating Stage at 15:30 on Monday 21 September.
Visitors can attend the ceremony and support the next generation of yacht designers.
The event celebrates the creativity, technical skills and vision of emerging superyacht talent.
Superyacht UK champions British design
Superyacht UK represents the interests of the British superyacht industry.
Its membership covers naval architecture, yacht construction, equipment and specialist services.
The organisation forms part of British Marine.
It promotes British innovation, expertise and heritage within the international superyacht sector.
British Marine represents around 1,300 members across seagoing and inland marine sectors.
The organisation says the UK marine industry employs more than 38,000 people.
The Young Designer Competition provides one route into that wider industry.
It allows students to demonstrate their abilities before established professionals.
For the finalists, Southampton will therefore provide a valuable introduction to the superyacht design world.