of logistics and leveraging vendor relationships leads to smoother execution and makes for a savvy, reliable designer.” Once these boxes are ticked designers can start thinking about styling, says Barbara Wiethoff, partner at JOI-Design. “Only when technical criteria are fulfilled can we fully focus on creating interiors that truly enhance the guest experience,” she says. “The guest experience is always at the heart of our design decisions – we aim to create spaces that feel welcoming and authentic, with materials that offer a natural look and pleasant tactile quality.” This is where a designer’s individual preferences can really play out and their attention to detail shines through. “Sometimes, performance can also mean something a little more conceptual to bring the magic into a space,” says Ondrizek. “With this in mind, I often ask, ‘Does the material glisten in the sunlight in the right way? Does it reflect just the right amount of orange at golden hour?’” It’s not just how a product looks that matters; how it feels is important too. “The tactility of a fabric, the depth of colouration, or the richness of a woven texture can all influence the atmosphere of a space,” says Liz Richardson, senior associate at SMC Design. “We seek materials that invite touch and evoke emotions, warmth, creativity or a bespoke quality,” adds Tudanca. “These are the elements that elevate a space from functional to experiential, helping to tell a story.” It’s this ability to tell a story through product selection that demonstrate the skill of designers and specifiers. In fact, some, like Liz Schneider, owner of Liz Schneider Interiors, deliberately seek out surprising or conversation-starting materials to create lasting impressions. “I’m looking for ideas that feel out of the ordinary,” she says. “Our guests deserve surprises in their vacations – and I believe our interiors can make memories.” 150 “ Cruise ships come with unique constraints but, as cruise specialists, we understand how to turn those limitations into opportunities” Ben Dowson CONDUCTR Creative technology studio CONDUCTR has collaborated with Norwegian Cruise Line to create Glow Court, transforming an underused top deck area into a multi-use, interactive experience that adds real value to the guest journey FEATURE
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