Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Boat Aesthetics and Styling Course

This course immerses you in the world of nautical design, from its fundamental principles to the latest trends. You will learn to transform spaces, bringing functionality and elegance to every detail, and to master innovative materials, strategic lighting and customization techniques to create unique, sophisticated settings. It gives you the tools to stand out in the interior and exterior design of all kinds of vessels, from luxury yachts to classic sailing boats.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
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About the program

What is the Boat Aesthetics and Styling Course?

This short course prepares you to analyze, define and develop the visual identity of a vessel, inside and out. You will study what nautical aesthetics means and how proportion, balance, rhythm, symmetry and continuity of line shape the way a boat is perceived; how hull form, superstructure and vessel type, from yachts and catamarans to fast motorboats, explorer yachts and classics, define its character; the history of naval style and the contemporary Mediterranean, Nordic, British and American design schools; the exterior language of sheer line, profile, volumes, color, finishes and distinctive details; and the interior style, atmosphere and coherence between exterior and interior design.

What sets this course apart: a 360-degree approach that covers both interiors and exteriors to achieve complete visual harmony; up-to-date knowledge of innovative and sustainable materials and finishes for boats; methods for adapting each project to the needs and tastes of the client; an introduction to digital tools for visualizing and presenting projects; constant attention to the balance between beauty, function and technical constraints; and an integrating project in which you build the aesthetic concept and style of a vessel with its own visual identity.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Visual composition: proportion, balance, rhythm, symmetry, visual tension and continuity of lines.
  • Style history: from classic wooden boats to contemporary design schools and high-performance languages.
  • Exterior language: sheer line, profile, bow, stern, volumes, superstructures and distinctive details.
  • Color and finishes: palettes, paint, gelcoat, fine woods, polished steel, aluminum and composites.
  • Interior style: atmosphere, lighting, textures, furniture and coherence with the exterior design.
  • Integrating project: aesthetic concept, mood boards and visual identity for a vessel.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Boat Aesthetics and Styling Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Foundations of aesthetic naval design, the formal identity of the vessel and principles of visual composition in the maritime environment

  • 1.1. The concept of nautical aesthetics: function, perception, visual language and the construction of identity in leisure, work and flagship vessels
  • 1.2. Principles of formal composition in naval design: proportion, balance, rhythm, symmetry, visual tension and continuity of lines
  • 1.3. The relationship between hull form, superstructure and the aesthetic character of the vessel: visual reading, presence and overall coherence
  • 1.4. The influence of vessel type on style: yachts, sailing boats, catamarans, fast motorboats, explorer yachts and classic craft
  • 1.5. The interaction between aesthetics, functionality and naval architecture: reconciling formal beauty with operability and technical constraints
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Historical evolution of style in vessels, design schools and formal references in boatbuilding

  • 2.1. The historical evolution of naval aesthetics: from classic wooden boats to contemporary high-performance design languages
  • 2.2. Classic boats and their formal legacy: proportions, ornament, decks, sterns and details that defined historical styles of nautical design
  • 2.3. Contemporary naval design schools: Mediterranean, Nordic, British, American and international approaches to luxury and performance
  • 2.4. The influence of materials and construction technologies on the exterior and interior aesthetics of vessels
  • 2.5. Formal trends of the 20th and 21st centuries: clean lines, taut surfaces, glass-and-metal integration and emotional design in the nautical sector
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

The exterior formal language of the vessel: lines, volumes, color, finishes and visual identity elements

  • 3.1. Design of exterior lines: sheer line, side profile, bow, stern, freeboard and the balance between dynamism and visual elegance
  • 3.2. Treatment of volumes and superstructures: balancing visual mass, transparency, height and compositional flow
  • 3.3. The use of color on vessels: color palettes, contrast, perception of size, sophistication and coherence with the marine environment
  • 3.4. Exterior materials and finishes: paint, gelcoat, fine woods, polished steel, aluminum, composites and the aesthetic expression of each surface
  • 3.5. Design of distinctive details: windows, handrails, exterior lighting, names, emblems and elements of visual identity
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Interior style, spatial atmosphere and aesthetic coherence between exterior and interior design in vessels

  • 4.1. Principles of nautical interior style: visual continuity, comfort, functional luxury and adapting the aesthetic language to the living space
  • 4.2. The relationship between exterior and interior design: conceptual coherence, materials, colors and the formal narrative of the project
  • 4.3. Creating interior atmospheres: lighting, texture, proportion, spatial perception and the sensory experience on board
  • 4.4. Interior styles on vessels: classic, contemporary, minimalist, Mediterranean, technical-functional and luxury yacht design
  • 4.5. Integration of furniture, linings, textiles and decorative pieces with criteria of sophistication, durability and suitability for the marine environment
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Integrating project: aesthetic analysis, style definition and conceptual development of a vessel with its own visual identity

  • 5.1. Selection of the case study: vessel type, user profile, market segment and image and style objectives
  • 5.2. Analysis of formal references and construction of the aesthetic concept: inspiration, visual language, materials and design narrative
  • 5.3. Definition of the vessel's exterior and interior style: compositional coherence, color, finishes, details and overall atmosphere
  • 5.4. Preparation of concept boards, visual schemes and criteria for the formal justification of the styling project
  • 5.5. Evaluation of the coherence between aesthetics, functionality, brand identity and feasibility of the proposed design
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Boat Aesthetics and Styling Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Boat Aesthetics and Styling Course

01Apply the principles of nautical design and aesthetics, interpreting plans and technical specifications to guide the choice of materials and finishes.
02Select and apply suitable materials for finishes and linings, considering their properties, cost, applicable rules and installation techniques to balance durability and appearance.
03Plan preventive and corrective care of a vessel's appearance, identifying and addressing deterioration in paint, fiberglass and decorative elements.
04Coordinate and supervise customization and aesthetic refit projects, ensuring final quality, optimizing time and resources and coordinating painters, upholsterers and other trades.
05Assess and diagnose the aesthetic condition of vessels, identifying and documenting surface defects, corrosion and damage and evaluating the state of protective coatings.
06Manage budgets and resources for styling projects, preparing detailed estimates and controlling costs to maximize aesthetic quality within the financial limits of the project.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Boat Aesthetics and Styling Course

01Nautical interior designercreation and customization of interior spaces on leisure and professional vessels.
02Yacht decoratorselection of materials, furniture and accessories for luxury vessels.
03Classic boat restoration specialistrecovering and preserving the original aesthetics of historic boats.
04Nautical graphics and livery specialistdesign of decorative vinyls, lettering and visual identity for vessels.
05Vessel image consultantadvice on the exterior and interior image of boats for owners, brokers and boatyards.
06Refit project managercoordination of aesthetic improvement and refurbishment projects on vessels.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Boat Aesthetics and Styling Course

Aesthetics creates an emotional connection: it expresses identity, status or simple visual pleasure, attracts admiration and reflects the personality of the owner or the culture the vessel belongs to.

Lines, hull form, superstructure, materials, finishes, details and the overall harmony between them, all of which the course analyses module by module.

Yes. It studies the exterior formal language of lines, volumes, color and finishes, the interior style and atmosphere, and how to keep both coherent within a single design narrative.

It helps but is not essential. The course introduces digital tools for visualizing and presenting projects, and the integrating project can be developed with concept boards and visual schemes.

Yes. The principles of composition, color, finishes and interior style apply both to new designs and to the customization and refit of existing vessels, including classic boats.

You choose a vessel type and user profile, analyze formal references, define its exterior and interior style, prepare concept boards and justify the coherence between aesthetics, function and brand identity.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied project. It is taught fully online, so you can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at naval designers and architects who want to explore trends, innovative materials and the use of space on board, boat owners who want to customize and modernize their vessels, nautical professionals such as brokers and boatyard staff who advise clients, design and nautical students, and enthusiasts who want to tackle their own interior and styling projects; a background in graphic, industrial or interior design, architecture or fine arts, or experience in boat design and refit, and some familiarity with CAD or 3D tools are helpful.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and software to view PDF documents.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $192 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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Ask us before you enroll

Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.

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