Every month we put our 3 questions to a yachting industry professional. This month, we caught up with José Luis Olmos, yacht designer and naval architect of Mulder Design

1 How did you get into the yachting industry?
I’m from Cartagena, a city on the eastern coast of Spain, and I grew up right by the port. Since I was young, the first thing I’d see through my window were boats—of all kinds and sizes, including large, luxurious yachts. They inspired me and sparked my curiosity about what it would be like to design and build them. Finally, when it came time to choose my studies, I pursued naval architecture, and after completing my degree, I moved to the UK to specialize in yacht design—a field that has always fascinated me.

2 What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
The most challenging aspect of my job is definitely the variety of tasks and projects. In the yachting industry, especially with superyachts, it’s rare to encounter two projects that are the same. These projects are typically highly customized and unique, which means that all the design and engineering involved is a challenge in itself, as we constantly face new problems and tackle designs that haven’t been approached before. This is the most challenging part, but it’s also what makes my work so exciting!

3 When did you join the team?
I joined the team in July, right after I completed my studies in yacht design. Since then, I’ve already had the chance to work on several projects, from engineering design for a radar mast to preliminary weight calculations. And even better, I’ve had the privilege of attending my first Monaco Yacht Show!