Gulf Craft partners with Dubai design institute

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DIDI students with Gulf Craft’s Abeer Alshaali (far right)

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Gulf Craft has initiated a collaboration with Dubai Institute of Design & Innovation (DIDI) as part of its commitment “to make the UAE a global yachting centre of excellence”. The builder’s aim is to develop a new generation of innovators by encouraging students at the Dubai Design District-based institute to consider an exciting career in the region’s expanding yachting sector.

Abeer Alshaali, Gulf Craft’s Deputy Managing Director, said: “Innovation, design and empowering the next generation of the yachting community is a passion for Gulf Craft, which is why we’re partnering with DIDI, to share its values and vision, and exchange knowledge and expertise with up-and-coming design talent.

“Maintaining our global reputation for excellence means we constantly seek world-class talent. DIDI shares our philosophy when it comes to pushing the bar in design innovation, so it’s an honour to collaborate 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. We look forward to the outcome.”

Professor Elmar Schüller (DIDI) and Abeer Alshaali (Gulf Craft)

One of the first projects with DIDI is a studio class involving students in their second, third and fourth year taking on the challenge to ‘Create new Strategic Brand and Design Innovations for Gulf Craft’. Running between September and December, the classes include a Gulf Craft Shipyard tour, a visit to the Gulf Craft Experience Centre in Dubai, and presentations judged by a panel of Gulf Craft experts.

Led by Professor Elmar Schüller, former Vice President of the Red Dot Design Award, the class is designed to develop skills in research and development, design, marketing and sales, and communications. In the final presentations, students discuss their learnings and showcase 2D and 3D design simulations.

Professor Schüller, Strategic Design Management, DIDI, said: “Partnerships with forward-thinking companies such as Gulf Craft are extremely valuable learning experiences for our students. Abeer’s passion for encouraging and empowering the next generation has delivered the impetus to create a new channel of work experience for our students.

DIDI students visit Gulf Craft’s Umm Al Quwain shipyard

“Through working with companies on practical projects such as this, they better understand how design and innovation strategies work in the real world and in the context of a global business and entrepreneurship.

“Innovation is not just about design or technology but also business challenges, identifying opportunities for growth and creating a value proposition that sets a brand apart. Our students are excited to have this opportunity to work in such an exciting sector, where innovation and design are paramount.”

Gulf Craft is an integrated shipyard that manages R&D, design and production in-house, last year delivering the Majesty 175, the world’s largest composite-built production superyacht. It has production facilities in Umm Al Quwain, UAE, and the Maldives, and its portfolio includes the Majesty, Nomad, Oryx and Silvercraft yacht brands.

DIDI, which had its first intake in 2018, is focused on nurturing, mentoring and creating designers. Its 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.