We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Paolo Demel about their original and creative Yacht design work. Paolo Demel is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original yacht works.
Paolo Demel ("PD") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Hermes Yacht . Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
PD : The core idea is to enhance emotional connection with the sea, using a large lateral glass panel to visually dissolve the boundary between interior and water. The design invites light and nature inside the vessel, creating a feeling of immersion. This redefines how we experience movement and space on water.
PD : I focused on transparency and elegance, aiming to create a vessel that feels open, immersive, and futuristic. I wanted to move away from traditional nautical aesthetics and introduce a design that speaks more to architecture and fluidity. The goal was to create calm through clarity.
PD : I plan to refine the concept for production and explore limited edition collaborations with luxury brands. A small run of high-end, customizable models could bring the vision to niche collectors. Additionally, I’d like to exhibit it as a design object in galleries or art fairs.
PD : The design process took about 6 months from concept to final render.
PD : It was a personal exploration of form and experience, not a commissioned project. I was driven by curiosity to see how a boat could become a fluid, sculptural object. The concept emerged naturally from sketching without constraints.
PD : The design is not currently in production, but I would love for it to be realized by someone, as it’s a concept I deeply care about. It began as a personal creative exploration, and seeing it come to life would be incredibly meaningful. My goal is to find a partner who believes in the project and can bring it to reality while preserving its original vision.
PD : I wanted to reinterpret the traditional boat in a more sculptural and experiential way. Modern yachts often prioritize size and luxury, but I was more interested in emotional impact. This design invites calm, wonder, and connection.
PD : Inspiration came from architecture and automotive design more than other boats, though designers like Zaha Hadid influenced the fluid form. Her dynamic lines and organic transitions encouraged me to abandon rigid forms. Also, futuristic car design helped with the streamlined profile.
PD : The target is luxury clients who seek innovation, exclusivity, and emotional experiences at sea. These are individuals who value design as a form of personal expression and want something unique, functional, and iconic. A collector’s mindset is key.
PD : The panoramic glass and the seamless exterior create a radically different presence compared to traditional yachts. It’s less about opulence and more about purity, silence, and the emotional atmosphere on board. The boat feels like an extension of the sea itself.
PD : The name is inspired by Greek mythology, specifically Hermes, the god of travel, fluid movement, and communication. Hermes represents speed, elegance, and the ability to move freely between worlds, much like the concept of this boat, which blends the boundaries between sea, vessel, and experience. The name adds a layer of symbolic meaning, evoking a refined yet dynamic identity.
PD : The wraparound glass is the key feature offering direct visual connection with the environment. It redefines the relationship between user and water, while the boat’s form disappears into its reflection. That lightness is extremely rare in marine design..
PD : I did not collaborate with anyone for this design. It was a project I carried forward entirely on my own, from concept to final execution. This allowed me to fully express my personal vision and maintain a cohesive design identity throughout the process.
PD : Technology plays a key role in both the construction and user experience of this yacht. From advanced materials to seamless integration of smart features, it supports both aesthetics and performance. Technology also enables the large side glass element to be structurally safe and thermally efficient.
PD : design was not based on analytical or data-driven research. It was guided entirely by intuition, observation, and a strong personal vision of connection with the sea.
PD : One challenge was achieving a balance between futuristic aesthetics and functional marine architecture. Another was designing the glass panel so that it maintained transparency without compromising safety or insulation.
PD : I felt that this concept had a strong identity and could speak to a global audience. I wanted to test its value outside of the design studio and share it with a wider creative and professional community.
PD : This project taught me how to stay consistent with a vision while solving real technical constraints. It also improved my ability to think holistically—balancing design, engineering, and user experience.
PD : I’d like to highlight how emotional impact was a driving force in my design choices. Connecting people more deeply with the sea through space, light, and silence was my core intent.
