Description:

The project brief was to design and model a conceptual boat by integrating digital design processes into physical design practice. We were challenged to test form, function, and materiality in relation to objects and people to design functional spaces. The crucial parts of this brief were translating between digital platforms and physical modeling to communicate our design.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender became the inspiration for our boat, as we felt it reflected the rugged all-terrain go-anywhere-do-anything attitude that we wanted to convey in our concept boat design. Using defining corners and strong shoulder lines, we captured the bold and defining caricatures, to create the “go anywhere do anything attitude” bringing the iconic Land Rover from roaming the land to roaming the seas. The intended use for our boat is a surf charter weekender that caters to thrill-seeking surfers chasing big swells. The Sea Defender has been designed to combine premium comfort with endless performance capabilities. Characterized by its snub nose, it has been designed to maximize the interior social and sleep space, while not compromising the rugged yet sleek form of the Land Rover Defender. The Sea Defender's accessible surfboard roof storage frees up space on deck, in addition to a retractable table, for maximum floor space creating a large central socializing area, and allowing 5 people to sleep comfortably on board. At the stern of the boat, there is a drive-up jet ski dock, designed for practicality and accessibility from waves to shore.

Translating the Sea Defender from a digital 3D model to a 1:15 physical scale model was challenging due to the intricate details we wanted to convey. The model was manufactured using SLA, FDM 3D printing, laser cutting, and careful handcrafting to reference essential details of the Land Rover brand. The intricate details were made using techniques such as layered vinyl and laser engraving to suggest rubber grips and decking which helped represent materiality, alongside small branded cleats, handles, and surfboards to convey the function which help create a realistic high-quality outcome of a conceptual boat model.

The Sea Defender is the ultimate experience for thrill-seeking surfers as it highlights all the requirements needed for an adventurous surf charter. Capturing the small details as well as vital areas such as entertainment and accessibility to waves. The Sea Defender has been carefully crafted to take the surfer's experience ‘above and beyond’.