Communication
EARLY BIRD 10% for enrollment in Specializing Masters and Executive Courses starting in the next months
Discover more
  • Interior Design and Architecture
  • Product Design
Specializing Master / XXIV edition

Yacht Design

The Specializing Master in Yacht Design to become experts in the design of boats for the pleasure boating sector.

14.500 €
English
3 Feb. 2025 - 28 Feb. 2026
Available seats : 30

Course

The Master in Yacht Design of the Politecnico of Milan provides students with the tools needed to manage the design and construction process of both a sailing boat and a motorboat, from the design brief to defining the general plans, to the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic calculations to the interior fittings, of the roof and on-board equipment, to shipyard production and checking the final phases.

On the one hand it collects and consolidates opportunities and resources developed by the University, with particular reference to skills in the fields of industrial design, fluid dynamics, mechanics, materials science, on the other hand it uses resources, experience and expertise acquired at a number of other Italian universities including: University “Federico II” of Naples, University of Catania and University of Chieti.

Faculty

The Head of the Specializing Master is prof. Andrea Ratti, the Deputy manager is prof. Arianna Bionda.
The Commission is made up by professors of Politecnico di Milano: Andrea Ratti, Arianna Bionda, Silvia Piardi and Matteo Ingaramo; by prof. Massimo Musio Sale of the Genova University, by prof. Andrea Vallicelli of the Chieti University and by prof. Carlo Bertorello of the Federico II University of Napoli.



Direzione

Andrea Ratti Direttore scientifico
Arianna Bionda Vice Direttore

Gallery

Youtube Flickr

Testimonials

Interview with Elisabetta Pianta

Student of the I edition of the Specializing Master and today Founder of the studio Pianta Design.
On the occasion of the 20th birthday of the Specializing Master in Yacht Design, we interviewed 20 alumni of the first MYD editions who have distinguished themselves in the world yachting scene. Here is our interview with Elisabetta Pianta, student of the I edition of the Specializing Master and today Founder of the studio Pianta Design.
Discover her path!
1. Can you tell us “who you are”, what do you do today and what role within the company / reality where you work?
After a professional experience in Italy with Ferretti – Apreamare and Zuccon International – between Rome and Sorrento, I moved almost 18 years ago to the United States where I continued my career as a yacht designer at studios and shipyards in Miami, Florida. In 2013 I began designing interiors for luxury homes and cruise ships, including the most expensive home in the United States – $ 500Million dollars in Bel Air, California -, the 1000 Museum penthouse in Miami designed by Zaha Hadid, and numerous million dollar residences in Florida, California, New York and Colorado. I currently have my own company – PIANTA DESIGN – based in San Francisco, California and I continue to work in the world of luxury.
2. What was the role of training, and in particular of the Specializing Master in Yacht Design at the Politecnico di Milano, to get to where you are today?
The Specializing Master course was fundamental for me because it opened the doors to a niche sector that 20 years ago did not yet have a wide diffusion. As a woman in the nautical sector, I have found many obstacles, but the knowledge acquired during the Master has given me solid foundations to be able to face many difficulties.
3. An important moment or a memory from your experience at the Specializing Master?
The Specializing Master – and I attended the first edition – was full of funny anecdotes because both we students and professors were somewhat the “guinea pigs” and the forerunners of this course at the time subsidized by the European community. Probably 80% of the course was focused on sailing, hydrodynamics and the design of NON motorboats. What did I present for the thesis instead? A power catamaran … Vallicelli hated me …. ahahahaha
4. The first word that comes to mind when thinking about the Specializing Master.
PRESTIGE.
5. What advice would you give to a young person who dreams of becoming a yacht designer / undertaking this training course?
Attending the Specializing Master of the Politecnico di Milano allows you to have a solid cultural foundation and work at construction sites, which is important for learning the know-how on the battlefield. In my opinion, starting directly from studies is more difficult. I think you have to see, touch, smell fiberglass to increase passion and specific knowledge. In this the Master in Yacht Design stands out.

Interview with Marco Foti

Student of the III edition of the Specializing Master and today Project & Sales Manager of the Yacht division of the Sanlorenzo shipyard with headquarters in Ameglia (SP) and Viareggio.

On the occasion of the 20th birthday of the Specializing Master in Yacht Design, we interviewed 20 alumni of the first MYD editions who have distinguished themselves in the world yachting scene. Here is our interview with Marco Foti, student of the III edition of the Specializing Master and today Project & Sales Manager of the Yacht division of the Sanlorenzo shipyard with headquarters in Ameglia (SP) and Viareggio.

Discover his path!

1. Can you tell us “who you are”, what do you do today and what role within the company / reality where you work?

My name is Marco Foti, I’m Project & Sales Manager of the Yacht division of Sanlorenzo shipyard, based in Ameglia (SP) and Viareggio. I deal both with sales to direct customers and through dealers, with particular reference to the Middle East, Greece, Russia, Balkans and UK areas. My role as “technical sales” Project Manager also includes the management of customizations and technical configurations of our yachts (Sanlorenzo builds only full “custom” yachts) organizing meetings with customers, delivery and cost control of the order.

2. What was the role of training, and in particular of the Specializing Master in Yacht Design at the Politecnico di Milano, to get to where you are today?

I took part in the MYD of the Polytechnic of Milan in 2004, immediately after my five-year degree in Mechanical Engineering, at Politecnico di Milano, that I graduated in December 2003.
Being born and raised in Sicily, 50m from the sea in front of the wonderful Aeolian Islands, since I was a child boats have always been my passion, thanks also to my father, and I grew up with the desire to turn it into my dream job. The MYD has been for me the perfect link between the university environment and the world of work in this field, very challenging but equally rewarding and satisfying. All the notions I learned at MYD have been extremely useful since the very first day of my internship at the Sessa Marine shipyard in Bergamo, which I begun in the second half of 2004. From then on it has always been a crescendo of experiences, learning and, with great commitment and dedication, great personal gratification.

3. An important moment or a memory from your experience at the Specializing Master?

Concerning “important moments”, all the experiences in the classroom and in the shipyard with the various “top players” of the nautical world such as Vallicelli, Felci, Musio Sale, Bertorello, Ivana Porfiri, Wally Yacht remain indelible in my memory. The funniest anecdote: in that year the MYD class was composed of practically all “sailors”, while the only “motorists” were, in addition to myself, Francesca Darmian, Chiara Grugni and Eleonora Berneri. It was therefore extremely easy and immediate to form our working “team” nicknamed, to be precise, “the Engineers”, with whom we then carried out the MYD thesis project of a very sporty 60 knot boat…obviously with three engines!

4. The first word that comes to mind when thinking about the Specializing Master.

SPRINGBOARD.

5. What advice would you give to a young person who dreams of becoming a yacht designer / undertaking this training course?

I may be against the tide, but the first piece of advice I would give is “extracurricular”: try to get involved in the sea! Anyhow, even with a small dinghy of two and a half meters, or a gozzetto rowing or a small sailboat: the “life on board” is absolutely the best “theory” that you can have and that will always carry you when it is time to design any detail of a boat, whether technical or aesthetic. In addition to this, the great strength of MYD is that, unlike the classic university faculties (e.g. naval engineering) where the activity is decidedly unbalanced on the theory side, here we deal much more with the “practical” part, thanks to the direct B2B interaction with great professionals of the nautical sector that, in Italy, has no equal in the world.

Interview with Alan De Candiziis

Student of the V edition of the Specializing Master and today Production Manager at The Italian Sea Group.
On the occasion of the 20th birthday of the Specializing Master in Yacht Design, we interviewed some Alumni of the first MYD editions who have distinguished themselves in the world yachting scene. Here is our interview with Alan De Candiziis, student of the V edition of the Specializing Master and today Production Manager at The Italian Sea Group.
Discover his path!
1. Can you tell us “who you are”, what do you do today and what is your role within the company / reality where you work?
After a degree in architecture at the Politecnico di Milano and the achievement of the qualification, I developed the need to do a Master in Yacht Design to pursue that dream that already pursued me as a child: building boats.
The post-graduate course opened the doors to work for me, projecting myself into the prestigious Ferretti Group, where I worked for 12 years, in different factories and with different roles, until the last one covered as Industrial Engineering Supervisor.
After the wonderful adventure in Pershing, I decided to accept the challenge of Maori Yacht, covering the role of Production Manager.
Since January 2018 I have been working at The Italian Sea Group, a shipyard that has become a certainty for the panorama of mega yachts capable of dealing with Northern Europe without any fear.
2. What was the role of training, and in particular of the Specializing Master in Yacht Design at the Politecnico di Milano, to get to where you are today?
All my training steps are an integral part of my career, in particular the Specializing Master managed to fill the first gaps before entering the nautical world, it laid the foundations of naval architectural design and in a simple but complete way, it was fundamental for the acquisition of the foundations of fluid dynamics.
3. An important moment or a memory from your experience at the Specializing Master?
The technical memory that I will never forget was the opportunity to visit a 24m sailing wally just launched, I was absolutely amazed by the beauty and elegance of that ship and today, with more experience, I think back to how much effort that production may have required to generate such a majesty.
Another anecdote, less naval, but indelible is that I met my wife during the discussion of my thesis, she was enrolled in the following year, in the same Specializing Master, and a few words about common interests united us, practically a nautical family.
4. The first word that comes to mind when thinking about the Specializing Master.
When I think of the Specializing Master the first word that comes to mind is WORK, it made me understand shipbuilding, the various roles within it, the different professional outlets and how to develop my growth path based on aptitudes.
5. What advice would you give to a young person who dreams of becoming a yacht designer / undertaking this training course?
On several occasions I have had the opportunity to meet young designers, almost always all prepared, but I can immediately recognize those who come from my same path and have attended the Specializing Master in Yacht Design at the Politecnico. Maybe I easily recognize them because I lived that experience firsthand, but it is definitely a guarantee as soon as you enter the world of work.
I could advise young people who read us, take advantage of this opportunity because it will show you the right path, but above all it will give you the tools to be able to follow it properly.

Interview with Valentina Speciale

Student of the VIII edition of the Specializing Master and today Interior Design Manager at Rossinavi.
On the occasion of the 20th birthday of the Specializing Master in Yacht Design, we interviewed 20 alumni of the first MYD editions who have distinguished themselves in the world yachting scene. Here is our interview with Valentina Speciale, student of the VIII edition of the Specializing Master and today Interior Design Manager at Rossinavi.
Discover her path!
1. Can you tell us “who you are”, what do you do today and what role within the company/reality where you work?
I am currently Interior Design Manager at the Rossinavi shipyard in Viareggio. I started working in this company in 2009 starting thanks to the internship period of the Master. In particular, I deal with the internal fitting of the ships under construction at the Viareggio plant. They are the link between the Interior Design studio (external to the construction site and different for each order) and the companies to which the yard contracts the construction of interior furnishings.
To date I have followed seven constructions, the last of which is a 70mt currently under delivery.
Before the start of the Specializing Master, however, I obtained a Master’s Degree in Civil Architecture.
2. What was the role of training, and in particular of the Specializing Master in Yacht Design at the Politecnico di Milano, to get to where you are today?
Surely the path chosen for work activity turned out to be far from the notions acquired at University but, my deep passion for the sea and the experience of the Specializing Master helped me to face the job with courage and method, trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible from everything I saw and heard on site. In fact, the Specializing Master helped me to make the right choice, that is to enter the world of shipbuilding.
3. An important moment or a memory from your experience at the Specializing Master?
I was impressed by the teamwork and the possibility of tackling new projects with people of different age groups and backgrounds that encouraged me to continue in the sector, despite the period of economic crisis at that time. And against all expectations, I was able to find a valid work environment in a short time and to continue working peacefully.
4. The first word that comes to mind when thinking about the Specializing Master.
The first word that comes to mind when thinking about the Specializing Master is undoubtedly TRAVEL. Mine started there and it’s not finished yet. Without saying anything to anyone, I did the interview back in January 2009 and I did it. From that moment my life changed: I changed the city, Viareggio became my second home and there I built my family. In short, a beautiful journey that still continues filling me with satisfaction.
5. What advice would you give to a young person who dreams of becoming a yacht designer/undertaking this training course?
The advice I can give to young people who are entering the Specializing Master is to take advantage of the precious lessons of different and important figures in the nautical world to learn as much as possible notions and take the opportunity of group work to compare and get to know other course mates. I remained very attached to some of my companions who then continued in the nautical world and it is nice to continue to meet and discuss in the world of work.

Interview with Marijana Radovic

Student of the III edition of the Specializing Master and today Co-founder / m2atelier.

On the occasion of the 20th birthday of the Specializing Master in Yacht Design, we interviewed 20 alumni of the first MYD editions who have distinguished themselves in the world yachting scene. Here is our interview with Marijana Radovic student of the III edition of the Specializing Master and today Co-founder / m2atelier.

1. Can you tell us “who you are”, what do you do today and with what role within the company / reality where you work?

It takes a life to answer that question. I can tell you for sure that Marijana Radovic is a designer, architect, mum, wife, daughter, sister and a friend to many of my dear friends. My first professional choices started in Serbia and my career enfolded in Milan after precious experience in many other locations Rome, Geneva, Athens, London. From my Master onwards I have been always involved in Yachts Design and more.
Thanks to diverse environments and significant experiences in the field, I mastered project management, which allowed me to oversee the projects at 360 degrees.
In 2006 I founded a design studio STANDBY, initially based in Belgrade and Athens; then soon after, in 2009, I moved back to Milan, which I identified as a perfect location to continue my yacht design journey and research in the field, along with the residential and other architectural projects.
Together with architect Marco Bonelli, I founded the international architecture studio m2atelier based in Milan, which has the essence in a multidisciplinary approach and continuous research of space potential, proportions, and materials, with an eye for details that distinguish our design.

2. What was the role of training, and in particular of the Master in Yacht Design of the Politecnico di Milano, to be where you are today?

It was fundamental. The architectural background was a good base; however, I entered the Yachting world during this master. I learned a lot since the course was quite intense, and at the same time, it opened the doors to important studios, and from there, the rest was on me.

3. An important moment or an anecdote from your experience at the Master.

I loved everything about the Master. I was also lucky to meet people who remained my friends. I remember very well that I was the first foreign student in the class, and that was when the Master was entirely in Italian. During the day, I studied and attended the classes, and my nights were dedicated to my 3 dictionaries that helped me follow the courses. I had to be 8 hours constantly focused on hearing and understanding the professors lecturing in Italian otherwise I risked of missing the whole lecture. After 3 days of studies, the professor asked me if I understood everything, and I answered, “yes” (which was maybe my mistake:). From then, no one ever asked me the same thing again assuming that I understood everything, so I had to move forward with intense learning of Italian language, along with Italian nautical language and the courses. That hard work paid off, and I am very satisfied today with what I had then accomplished in just one year.

4. The first word that comes to your mind when thinking about the Master.

Experience. Working on projects that were real challenges. My colleagues. And the way I lived my life during the studies. All felt and became my new family. We spent time together working a lot and also travelling a lot which was organized by Politecnico.

5. What suggestion would you give to a young person who dreams of becoming a yacht designer / undertaking this training course?
Master studies are the best way to gain knowledge and dive into the nautical world in a short intense period. I warmly recommend the Politecnico Master in Yacht Design to all people dreaming of becoming a yacht designer.

Yihharn Liu

Sara Pitoni

Architect, technical office CRN - Ferretti Group

During my internship, I had the honor to work, with my tutor, on Riva projects for the feasibility of some interior spaces and for crew accommodation plan according to with Register rules. My principal tasks during this stage are the revision of general plans and modify interior layouts. I studied the synergy between the structures, systems and interior furniture, which certainly contributed to greatly enrich my cultural baggage, having the possibility to participate in meetings between the technical office and suppliers too. Having an Architecture background got during my five years at the Master degree, it wasn’t so easy to start in this field, but thanks to this Master I had the opportunity to come in touch with this company and get the basic know-how to undertake this journey. Special thanks to my tutor and some nice colleagues that taught me a lot about furniture components, structures, systems and all the design process necessary to reach the goal.

Federico Gerbino

Interior Designer, industrial engineering office CRN - Ferretti Group

From the very first day, I was thrown into the production area with the task of monitoring the feasibility of the interior and exterior arrangement on board aiming to achieve the goals the CRN had established with the customers.
With my tutor, the industrial engineering specialist, I am actually working all day on board of every boat the shipyard is building. I can’t spoil you anything, but each of them is a real masterpiece!
MYD has provided me with the right technical and soft skills that have allowed me to understand the problems related to the project that we have on board, I also learned how to operate within this new context, how to share information within a team and I also developed the ability to deal with issues under the pressure of deadlines set.
Working in a shipyard like CRN has shown me and it has given me the right tools to build a full custom yacht. Here, I have the opportunity to improve my technical knowledge, my problem-solving skills and, by working on board, I had the possibility to cooperate with every supplier and to better understand how the interior space should be designed, considering both aesthetics and feasibility. During this fundamental period, I’m learning to solve smaller issues finding quickly an effective solution if something goes wrong during the construction.

Chrysa Vlachou

Naval engineer, design office Ceccarelli Yacht Design

I am part of the design team and am involved in several projects currently developed by the studio. Familiarization with programs like Maxsurf, Rhino, Autocad and focus on specific steps of the yacht design process are some of the skills I developed during the master which are helping me being effective in my daily work. Being a member of a small design studio gives me the opportunity to follow up with various steps and have a better overview of the whole design process, from concept design stage till finalizing the technical drawings for the shipyard.

Nikol Naz Lebbink

nterior designer, design studio Marco Ciampa – Maori Yacht

During my internship experience, I have been working on the new Maori yacht 54ft Hardtop version inter or layout. While working on this project I was able to use the theoretical knowledge MYD gave me and to combining it with the Marketing needs of the work life.
Besides this, customization has also a really big role in this studio. So, new layout arrangements, additional details or material changes are done according to the customers need and taste. The opportunity to analyze the theoretical information and to apply them in the real work, the representation of different ideas and design and the visits in the shipyard to supervise the production process, helped me a lot during the internship to follow and understand how a shipyard workflow is organized.

Didactics

Training objectives

The Programme provides the tools to manage the design and construction of a sailing and motor boat, from the project brief to define the general plans, to the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic calculations, to the interior design, the deck and the on-board equipment, additional devices, to the production in the shipyard and check of the operation steps.

Participation in the Master Course offers the achievement of the following educational objectives:

  • development of design skills: ability to work in terms of problem setting and problem solving within the yachting market;
  • development of specialized technical skills;
  • acquisition of the principles and procedures of construction methods and techniques;
  • development of skills related to the production organization and shipyard management;
  • development of the ability to work in groups and enter authoritatively in the professional world;
  • ability to manage team conflicts and foster creativity processes.

Didactic Modules

The educational programme will be as follows:

  • Yacht Design: principles, methods, tools and rules;
  • Hystory and culture of Yacht Design;
  • Drawing and modeling;
  • Naval architecture;
  • Shipbuilding techniques;
  • On-board equipment and propulsion systems;
  • Interio Yacht Design;
  • Production processes and business plan;
  • Soft Skill for design;
  • Design workshops;
  • Internship.

Title Released

At the end of the course, upon passing the final exam, the first level Specializing Master’s degree of the Politecnico di Milano will be awarded in ” Yacht Design”

Employment Opportunities

The need of training in nautical sector is based on fast and exponential growth shown by this sector in last years.

This growth finds an additional attractive factor given by the new provisions that facilitate the development of this market (from simplification of procedures for construction of harbours, to tax reduction for pleasure boats above 10 metres, etc.).

For this reason, the sector currently shows a strong professional vocation, both on the side of skills necessary to design pleasure boats, as well as its components and accessories, and on the side of management of the different stages of production process.

In particular, this sector is going through a period of strong growth and development in quantitative and economic terms, which have not yet reached their highest level. This delay is also given by the current lack of figures able to manage and guide this change.

For this reason, candidates who attend the master’s programme find job opportunities at nautical design studios or at shipyards and companies from the nautical sector. The possible areas of professional involvement are: technical office; engineering; project management; production control; quality check; equipment design; styiling; customization; after sales.

Admission

Requirements

The Specializing Master is for candidates with a Laurea (equivalent to Bachelor of Science) or Laurea Magistrale/Specialistica (equivalent to Master of Science) of New Educational System in Architecture, Industrial Design, Engineering or Economics.

For foreign applicants, equivalent academic qualifications will be considered in the related study systems.

The selection is made by the Commission.

Deadlines

To take part to the selection process, the application form must be completed online within the following deadlines:

  • EU/non-EU who graduated in Italy / EU citizens with qualification gained abroad within December 3, 2024,
  • Non-EU citizens who graduated abroad within November 3, 2024.

Price

The Specializing Master costs €14.500, to be paid as below:
• € 500.00 – registration fee to Politecnico di Milano,
• € 14,000.00 – participation fee.

 


 

POLI.design offers the community of Politecnico di Milano a 50% discount to be applied to the participation fee for a I and II level Specializing Master or Higher Education Course / Post Graduate Program / Continuing Education Course which POLI.design manages and provides. The discount is for internal staff (i.e., structured teachers and technical and administrative staff) with active contracts at Politecnico di Milano and members of their household.

HOW IT WORKS:

To benefit from the discount you will need to:

  • send the selection application to the chosen course with the relevant required documents;
  • successfully pass the selections;
  • send a copy of the applicant’s family status.

Faculty

The Head of the Specializing Master is prof. Andrea Ratti, the Deputy manager is prof. Arianna Bionda.
The Commission is made up by professors of Politecnico di Milano: Andrea Ratti, Arianna Bionda, Silvia Piardi and Matteo Ingaramo; by prof. Massimo Musio Sale of the Genova University, by prof. Andrea Vallicelli of the Chieti University and by prof. Carlo Bertorello of the Federico II University of Napoli.

Current edition

Direzione

Andrea Ratti Direttore scientifico
Arianna Bionda Vice Direttore

Awards 2019

Interior design concept Winner

Steamring for Dada
Doga Naz Cebeci MYD14

Concept over 70m Winner

Esquel by Timur Bozca for Oceanco
Timur Bozca MYD12

Winner Young Designer of the Year 2019

by Boat International
Yihharn Liu – MYD15

Awards 2018

Bronze A’ Design Award Winner for Yacht and Marine Vessels Design Category in 2018

Sapphire 43m Fast Planing Hybrid Motor Yacht di Matthias Krenz

Winner Young Designer of the Year 2018

by Boat International
Nicolò Piredda – MYD16

3° place Young Designer of the Year 2018

by Boat International
Francesco Conte – MYD 16

Special Mention Millennium Yacht Design Award

Orfeo Yacht Design team [Francesco M. Conte, Gildo incitti, Adeline Lagaria, Luca Scarsella]- MYD 16

European Product Design Award 2018

Bronze in Transportation/Nautical/Boats award
Sena Jinen Osman– MYD15

Awards 2017

Young Designer of the Year Award 2017

Comète di Thibaud Le Merdy

Product Design Award 2017

Plantinun Prize in Transportation/Nautical/Boats award
Alejandro Crespo Daroca – MYD15

Awards 2016

ADI Design Index 2016

Scarliga Merlüss, curated by the students of MYD XII

1° Classified Millennium Yacht Design Award

Guido Valtorta, MYD XII

1° Classified Diporthesis

ALES by H.J. Choi, A. Ors, M. Schaefer and D. Agapitou, MYD XV

1° Classified Diporthesis

ALES by H.J. Choi, A. Ors, M. Schaefer and D. Agapitou, MYD XV

Awards 2015

2° classified Yacht Design Talent Award by Heesen

Banu Hunler, MYD XIV

Awards 2014

Winner of the Young Designer of the Year Award by Oceanco

Timur Bozca, MYD XII

XXIII Compasso d’Oro ADI – Targa Giovani

El Niño skiff by Matteo Costa

ADI Design Index

El Niño

Awards 2013

Project selected for ADI Design Index 2013

Scarliga Merlüss of the MYD XXII edition

Awards 2012

2° classified Lotus prize

Zero Gravity by Aldo Bruno and Angela Petitto

Socials
Close