In Profile:
Francesco Conte Design

Name: Francesco Conte
Company Name: Francesco Conte Design
Position Within Company: Naval Architect / Yacht Designer
Website: francescocontedesign.com

Tell us a little about the company background:
Francesco Conte Design grew from a lifelong connection to the sea, paired with years of professional experience in yacht design. Early years spent sailing along the Italian coastlines formed the heart of a design approach that values both genuine passion and a careful attention to details.

Following several years of experience within an established design studio, Francesco Conte Design was founded in Florence, an iconic cultural center where a strong tradition of heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation continues to shape its work.

How does your company approach each project from concept to completion?:
Our design methodology is structured around a clear and collaborative process, where each project is rooted on a defined client vision. We begin with in-depth research and dialogue to rigorously define the project brief, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of requirements. From this foundation, we develop tailored design directions that align with the client’s objectives.

The process evolves through the definition of the general arrangement, establishing the spatial backbone of the vessel, followed by concept development focused on proportions, exterior identity, and visual coherence. Particular attention is given to the relationship between exterior form and interior experience, ensuring continuity between the two.

The design is then refined through successive iterations, culminating in a fully resolved geometry and complete design package. Throughout all phases, close coordination with owner’s teams, shipyards, consultants and suppliers remains essential to delivering a cohesive and buildable result.

Where inspires your company in this sector?:
Our work draws inspiration from a cross-disciplinary perspective, combining influences from contemporary architecture, high-end transport design, and the principles of luxury hospitality.

Equally important is the natural marine environment itself; light, materials, and the relationship between vessel and sea play a fundamental role in shaping our design language. This approach allows us to create yachts that are not only visually distinctive, but also deeply connected to their surroundings.

In what direction do you feel that your projects are moving towards in a general sense?:
Our projects are increasingly oriented towards positioning design as a central component of the onboard experience. Beyond aesthetics, we focus on how spaces are perceived, used, and lived.

At the same time, we aim to actively anticipate evolving market dynamics, particularly the emergence of a new generation of yacht owners. This shift brings different expectations in terms of lifestyle, functionality, and identity, requiring a more flexible and forward-thinking design approach.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching projects in the future. :
• Heritage – We look with respect to the iconic designs that have shaped the design past. Our goal is to learn from that lasting legacy, favoring a rational and honest aesthetic that remains useful and relevant for years to come.

• Clarity – The power of simplicity. By stripping away visual noise and redundant elements, we aim to achieve a purity of intent that makes the design intuitive, calm, and purposeful.

• Connection – A profound connection with the environment. Our designs aim to be extensions of the landscape, blending the vessel with its surroundings and connecting passengers with the sea through light and openness to ensure the vessel truly belongs to its setting.

• Human-Centered Design – Success is defined by the human element. Every design decision is related to the onboard use, prioritizing how a space is experienced and used.

• Refinement – Our process begins with the requirements and is refined through rigorous iterations to deliver a complete design.

If your company could offer one piece of advice when it comes to projects, what would it be?:
While designers often develop a recognizable design language, it is essential that each project remains a genuine expression of the client’s vision. The ability to step beyond one’s own stylistic preferences and fully interpret the client’s aspirations is what ultimately defines a successful design. To achieve this, we aim to balance that vision with the design guidance required to translate inspiration into a feasible reality.

How important are The International Yacht & Aviation Awards?:
The integration of yachting, aviation, and product design within a single platform creates a highly stimulating environment for both professionals and the wider public. It highlights the latest innovations across related industries and encourages a broader understanding of design excellence.

Furthermore, as one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field, these awards provide an important opportunity to present projects on an international stage.

What projects are you currently working on?:
The studio is currently exploring design solutions aimed at addressing a specific gap in the market, with a focus on yachts intended for operation in extreme climates. These projects investigate new approaches to comfort, usability, and spatial efficiency in demanding environmental conditions. Further details will be revealed in due course.

What was one of your company’s key projects to work on and why?
: Etna 50 represents the studio’s inaugural concept and a defining milestone in establishing its design identity. The project embodies our core principles, combining clear proportions, functional clarity, and a strong visual character, while setting the foundation for future developments.

Furthermore, it highlighted the importance of designing around the owner’s specific lifestyle; which in this case was centered on a deep passion for diving exploration.

What was your company’s most challenging project to work on and why?:
Each project presents its own set of challenges, particularly when it involves developing solutions that are not yet fully established within the market. These situations require a high level of coordination between design and engineering, as well as close collaboration with shipyards to ensure feasibility and coherence.

Such challenges, however, are also opportunities to push boundaries and introduce meaningful innovation into the design process.

Which products/services could you not live without when completing projects?:
Advanced visualization tools are fundamental to our workflow, enabling us to effectively communicate the aesthetic and spatial experience of a project. Physical model making, virtual reality, and high-quality rendering play a key role in this process.

Material research is equally important, with careful selection of finishes and the use of physical samples allowing clients to engage directly with the sensory aspects of the design.

In parallel, continuous dialogue with suppliers and industry partners ensures that we remain aligned with the latest developments in materials innovations, engineering systems, and emerging technologies.

What are your company’s aims and goals for the next twelve months?:
Over the next twelve months, our objective is to consolidate our presence within the design landscape and expand the scope of our work across different yacht typologies and market segments.

The diversity of the yachting industry offers a wide range of design challenges, and our aim is to continue evolving through projects that demand both creativity and precision, further refining our approach and broadening our portfolio.