Gulf Craft, one of the world’s leading boat and yacht manufacturers is collaborating with Dubai Institute of Design & Innovation (DIDI) as part of its on-going commitment to make the United Arab Emirates a global yachting centre of excellence.
Together, Gulf Craft
and DIDI are introducing a bespoke project across the fall 2022 semester, where
a studio class made up of talented students in their second, third and fourth
year will take on an exciting new learning challenge: ’Create new Strategic
Brand- and Design Innovations for Gulf Craft.’
Gulf Craft, established
in 1982 in the UAE, is one of the world’s only fully integrated shipyards,
delivering every aspect of boat and yacht building from R&D, design, and
production in-house; as such it is internationally recognised as an industry leader
in the use of innovative technology. A trailblazer in composite hull production,
Gulf Craft designed, developed, engineered, and built the world’s largest
composite-built production superyacht, the Majesty 175, launched in 2021. Through
its expertise, Gulf Craft – which is celebrating its 40th anniversary
this year – aims to introduce the next generation of innovators to the marine
industry, encouraging them to consider an exciting career in the region’s
rapidly expanding yachting and boat building sector.
This semester’s class
will take an open approach, allowing students to discover their own topics
within the broad framework driven by Gulf Craft’s vertically integrated operation which includes Concept
creation, Design, Engineering, to final Production, which hopes to gain fresh
perspectives from some bright, upcoming designers.
With its first intake in 2018, DIDI is focused
on nurturing, mentoring and creating the next generation of designers. The
curriculum is designed to empower students to map out their own four-year
educational journey, culminating in the region’s first Integrated Bachelor of
Design degree, with a choice of concentration in the areas of Product Design,
Multimedia Design, Fashion Design and Strategic Design Management.
Studio classes at DIDI,
based at Dubai Design District, introduce students to design thinking and the
design process as systems or frameworks. This is completed via a sequence of
projects ranging in degree of abstraction, level of complexity and focus.
The class, led by
Professor Elmar Schüller, an internationally established business, design and
innovation expert, the former Vice President of the Red Dot Design Award, aims
to develop students’ skills in research and development, design, marketing and
sales and communications. The classes run between September and December, and
include a Gulf Craft Shipyard tour, presentations judged by a panel of Gulf
Craft experts and a visit to the stunning Gulf Craft Experience Centre in
Dubai.
The final stage of the
project is marked by student presentations, where they will have the
opportunity to discuss their learnings and showcase 2D and 3D design
simulations.
Abeer AlShaali, Deputy
Managing Director, Gulf Craft, says: “Innovation, design and empowering the
next generation of the yachting community is a passion for Gulf Craft, which is
why we are partnering with DIDI, to share its values and vision and exchange
knowledge and expertise with up-and-coming design talent.”
“Maintaining our
hard-earnt global reputation for excellence means we have to constantly seek
out world-class talent – and DIDI shares our philosophy when it comes to
pushing the bar in design innovation. It is an honour to collaborate with DIDI
and provide the upcoming generation with an immersive experience. But to us,
what matters most is the passion and commitment an individual brings to the
table and we are proud to offer equal opportunities for everyone to grow and
build their talents. We look forward to seeing what the project’s outcomes
are.”
Professor Schüller,
Strategic Design Management, DIDI says: “Partnerships with forward thinking
companies such as Gulf Craft are extremely valuable learning experiences for
our students. Through working with companies on practical projects such as
this, they get to better understand how design- and innovation strategies work
in the real world and in the context of a global business and Entrepreneurship.”
“Our student cohort is
excited to have this opportunity to work in such an exciting sector, where
innovation and design are absolutely paramount. Abeer’s passion for encouraging
and empowering the next generation has delivered the impetus to create a new
channel of valid work experience for our students.”
“Innovation is not just
about design or technology, it concerns how to approach business challenges,
identify opportunities for growth and create a value proposition which sets the
brand apart from the rest.”
Gulf Craft is a fully integrated boat and yacht
manufacturer with production facilities in Umm Al Quwain and the Maldives. The
company has built a world-class reputation for delivering high-quality,
super-performing vessels that have won numerous awards over the past four
decades.