KIT CARLIER DESIGN
Kit Carlier founded the Kit Carlier Design studio in 2014 following an established career in the marine industry. With a background as a qualified boat builder, project manager and lead designer for many iconic yards and projects, Kit brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to each bespoke project. Supported by a team of talented designers, Kit Carlier Design offers a specialised service which encompasses all elements required to produce a successful, first class project.
Exterior yacht design services, together with industry-leading interior yacht design and complete client, yard and project support, ensure Kit Carlier Design is the company to take care of your build.
Services include everything from 3D renderings, the selection of a yard, pre-engineering analysis, vessel structure, interior structure and fit out, dressing of the vessel and finally the completion of the project.
Throughout your project, our primary consideration is you, the client, with every detail tailored to you. From sailing yachts to motor yachts, and contemporary to classic, each client brings with them a specific brief and the opportunity for Kit Carlier and his team to turn their dreams into reality. Kit and his team are driven by the challenges that come with each new build or refit. Together they relish the opportunity to create something personal and bespoke – something that will tell a story, reflect dreams and age gracefully. Drawing from and ever-growing list of suppliers, manufacturers and industry leaders, we are able to put together the best combination and team to undertake your project.
KIT CARLIER
Kit grew up in New Zealand and was introduced to the ocean and boating at a very early age. Boating was a huge part of his life and by age eight he was determined that he would design boats one day. He made the decision early on to begin this dream by learning how to build boats, and spent his holidays working for local boat yards for free to gain experience.
Kit’s career began as an apprentice boat builder in 1996 and by 2002 he was fully qualified in composite and wooden boat building. Now experienced in all facets of the trade, he quickly moved into a senior position and subsequently to a project management position, managing refit work and high-tech composite construction of various vessels. He moved into a production manager’s position in the United Kingdom managing the set-up and running of a 5 axis facility. During this time, he began training in 3D design, eventually making the decision to realise his childhood dream of becoming a Yacht Designer.
The next international move led Kit to the position of sole interior designer at Mustang Marine in Australia. This role covered all aspects of the development of Mustang’s new range of production boats set for the European Market and encompassed the creation of new concepts through to detailed design, and overseeing that the design intent and quality was carried through to the finished article.
Kit was then employed by world-renowned super yacht builder Alloy Yachts as an interior designer where he rapidly made his way to lead designer, working on vessels such as Kokomo, Vertigo, Loretta Anne, Encore and Mondango. Driven by an insatiable need to create his own designs, he founded Odyssey Yacht Design Studio with a former colleague from Mustang Marine where they developed vessels from custom limousine tenders, production yachts to high-speed military craft, and interior and exterior superyacht styling.
In early 2014 Kit made the decision to go out on his own and founded Kit Carlier Design, a brand that encompasses his absolute commitment to detail and vision. Kit prides himself in his ability to create concepts and visualize technically how they will need to be developed to become a successful product. He draws from his vast experience during 20 years in the marine industry and is always looking for new opportunities to leave his mark.
WILL BLAKE
As a kid growing up in remote coastal Australia, Will gained an early appreciation for the ocean.
He remembers his first time on the water with his father when he was instantly fascinated by how boats float and manoeuvre through waves.
The connection with the water stayed with him and his passion became a vocation. As a naval architect, working remotely for Kit Carlier Design from Melbourne, Will strives for technical perfection. He likes to draw on inspiration from his artistic background and the environment, to create balanced, innovative designs that are as practical and functional as possible.
Will’s background has had a huge influence on his life outlook. His family home on King Island in Tasmania is ‘off the grid’ and relies solely on solar energy and water storage. As a child he had a fascination with perpetual motion and renewable resources of energy. As well as drawing his dream boat designs, he came up with concepts that captured wave energy.
In 2015 Will graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Naval Architecture) with honours from the Australian Maritime College (A.M.C) in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
During the semester breaks of his degree he worked for the Northern Territory Government Marine Safety Branch as a trainee marine, a position he gained through a government scholarship programme.
At Kit Carlier Design Will enjoys the openness of the work environment, which allows him to put forward his opinions and solutions. The company ethos sits well with Will – to find solutions to practical issues while maintaining the intended style and flow of the vessel.
Outside of work Will is passionate about the ocean, with free diving, spear fishing and kite surfing his favourite past-times.
OLIVIA SPINETTO
As Kit Carlier Design’s newest team member, Olivia has hit the ground running.
Olivia studied a Bachelor of Design majoring in Industrial Design at Massey University (College of Creative Arts) in Wellington, which she graduated with Honours.
She chose to study Industrial Design because of her love for both creativity and technical/hands-on work, and she relished that during her degree she was taught to design products and construct her own prototypes.
It is this perception of creativity, form, function, and the manufacturing techniques used to create a final product that has given her an ideal skill set to bring to the marine industry and the Kit Carlier Design team.
During her time at Kit Carlier Design Olivia has enjoyed the variation in the projects and the high level of critical thinking needed to create solutions.
In her spare time Olivia enjoys being in the outdoors and taking on DIY projects – in fact, she just finished renovating a Classic Mini. Growing up her family spent a lot of time out on the family boat fishing, and more recently she has been enjoying water sports with friends.
KATE O’CONNOR
Working as part of the Kit Carlier Design team has been ideal for Interior Designer Kate O’Connor, as it allows her to combine her experience and passions for interior design, with a love for yachts and life on the ocean.
Kate grew up in New Zealand enjoying sailing and water sports. In addition to working as a designer, time spent working on luxury super yachts has given her specific insight into how the best design elements can be combined to create the elegant and welcoming schemes discerning owners enjoy.
Kate’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) at The University of Canterbury and a certificate in Marine Hospitality / STCW from the United Kingdom Sailing Academy. She is currently studying towards a paper on Interior Design Methods for Yacht Design and the Boatbuilding Industry from Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology.
This practical perspective, together with a flair for design, and knowledge of materials, has proven invaluable while working on projects for Kit Carlier Design. Kate says she has enjoyed the creative process of putting together stunning schemes, sourcing the best materials, and seeing the approving smiles on client’s faces when presenting them. She also loves that each project is vastly different, with a focus on creating bespoke schemes, that cater specifically to each clients’ needs and wants.
Outside of work, Kate’s family life is based around their shared love for travel adventures. Sailing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking and paddle-boarding are all regular activities, further engaging her love of the ocean. When time allows, Kate also enjoys drawing, painting, and reading biographies of architects and designers.
