As most reading this know, cruise ship interior design is a unique career path. More than one professional will share that they never expected to be working in cruise ship design, but found their passion once they joined the industry. New-to-cruise designers, even those with plenty of hospitality experience, can encounter a steep learning curve. With strict regulations, certifications that are exclusive to the industry, and space and product limitations that range from weight to height, there is a lot to learn.
That’s why, in this edition of our Future Leaders blogs, we are shining a light on the mentors and teachers. Our spotlight is on those who light the sparks of the passion that fuels the cruise ship design industry. Chuck Boggs and Esteban Alvarez were nominated for their incredible work within their teams and with students. Their nominations highlighted not only their strong respective bodies of work and contributions to the industry, but their work mentoring and shaping the careers of the designers of the future.
How to get ahead
We asked Chuck and Esteban to distill their philosophies for success as a designer within the cruise ship interiors industry. Chuck highlighted the unique features of cruise ship design. He said, ‘We have designers that are experts in restaurants, staterooms, theaters and live entertainment spaces, casinos, pools and attractions, spas, retail, and so many more. You need to first understand what makes great design in any of those areas and then learn what makes it special and unique when it’s placed on a moving vessel!’
Given this, we wanted to know what the two Future Leaders saw as essential attributes in a cruise ship designer.
Chuck expanded on his original point about the breadth and depth of knowledge that a cruise ship designer needs. He said, ‘Those of us that specialize in cruise design are highly adaptable – we have to constantly rethink solutions for the ship environment and changes in guest behavior that happen on a ship. I think part of what makes us able to excel at this is that we all tend to be people who are hungry for knowledge – we want to know as much as we can, from how Operations plans for the function and needs of the space to how it will be constructed.’
Esteban said, ‘An accomplished cruise ship interior designer should be flexible, inventive, and well-rounded. We need to be able to change ideas and be flexible because the project might change directives. We need to be inventive because the industry moves quickly and new projects demand more creativity and innovative designs. Lastly, we need to be well-rounded and we need to understand all aspects of design, designing in multiple media and being able to jump from one task to the other is essential for the development of the design.’
How to get the best out of your early career
So, what can someone new to a career in cruise ship design do to grow their skills, and as a result, their career?
Esteban advised early-career creatives to be introspective, and identify their design strengths. They can use this to grow the confidence they need to grow their knowledge. He said, ‘Someone in the start of their career should understand what their strengths are and begin there. The vision of a designer can be impaired by all the multiple software and media that we must learn. Focusing on what you are good at first will allow you to express creativity without feeling overwhelmed about all the things that you don’t know.’
Chuck, who has helped guide many students to a successful career in cruise ship interior design, encourages aspiring designers to get connected. He said,
‘Seek out anyone and everyone who can give you advice. In today’s connected world, leaders in the industry are more accessible than ever. Follow them, write to them, find out what they’re saying about the industry. Learn what it means to be a designer in the industry and find out who is actually doing the work you admire. Seek out internships! I can never emphasize this enough – look for any opportunity to get in the door before you even graduate.’
Future leadership
We can’t let any of our Future Leaders go without asking them their definition of good leadership. For both Chuck and Esteban, the lesson was about leading through their actions while ensuring they acted in service of the team, the project and the client. As Chuck put it, ‘I learned one important lesson early on – it’s not about me.’
He expanded, ‘As a team and studio leader, it was about making sure my teams were supported and had everything they needed to meet their deadlines and complete their work… It was learning how to put my trust in them and demonstrate my faith in them with the client, so that they also had faith in them. It was about acknowledging them, thanking them, and seeing them for the people they are, not just the work they produce.
Esteban said, ‘Leadership means to work as hard as the others but also give direction. It means to roll up your sleeves and be the captain of the team. A leader is someone that people tend to follow because they want to, not because they must. In my experience, people follow out of interest, joy, and compassion.’
You can find out more about the Future Leader programme and this year’s Future Leaders here. Attend CSI at Miami Beach Convention Center and meet many of the Future Leaders. Or, look out for more interviews, articles and brand q&as here and over at CSI+.
