DARNET DESIGN
Darnet Design is a 6-person French yacht design studio in Nantes, founded in 2002, providing interior design and exterior styling for superyachts, custom yachts, and series production boats for major European shipyards and private owners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersNantes, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DARNET DESIGN does
Darnet Design is a French yacht design studio founded by Franck Darnet in 2002, headquartered in Nantes, France. The studio provides interior design and exterior styling services for superyachts, custom yachts, and series production boats, serving both yacht manufacturers (B2B) and private yacht owners. With a small team of 6 employees, the firm has built multi-decade partnerships with major European shipyards including the Grand Large Yachting group (parent of Allures Yachting and Outremer Yachting, partner since 2003), Privilège Marine (since 2018), JFA Yachts, Lynx Yachts, Garcia Yachting, Fjord/HanseYachts, and a newly launched premium brand, Simbad Yachts. The studio operates across four product categories: custom sailing yachts, custom motor yachts (including superyachts up to 106M), production yacht series, and special projects.
The studio's core capabilities include interior design with spatial optimization described as the "Art of Space" philosophy, exterior styling (added around 2018 with the Privilège Signature 580), and design-led redesign/refit services for existing vessels. Notable design work includes the Starlight superyacht series (66M, 86M, 106M), the AirYacht 52M airship-yacht concept (2021), and award-winning catamarans for Outremer (5X, 52, 55) that have received European Yacht of the Year and Multihull of the Year awards. The studio collaborates with leading naval architects (VPLP Design, Marc Lombard, Philippe Briand, Espen Oeino, Berret-Racoupeau) and design partners (Patrick Le Quément, former Renault Design Director, since 2010) on a project basis.
The business model is professional services-based, generating revenue through project-based contracts with yacht builders and individual yacht owners. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; clients engage directly with the studio for quotes based on project scope. The firm operates without external investment, parent company ownership, or funding rounds, relying on direct sales and long-term partnership relationships. Marketing is centered on industry visibility through boat shows (e.g., International Multihull Show 2026), earned media in publications such as Robb Report, Boat International, Superyacht Times, and Show Boats International, plus its website portfolio and seasonal newsletters. The studio maintains active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
DARNET DESIGN firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DARNET DESIGN
- Legal name
- Darnet Design
- Website
- https://darnet-design.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Darnet Design is a 6-person French yacht design studio in Nantes, founded in 2002, providing interior design and exterior styling for superyachts, custom yachts, and series production boats for major European shipyards and private owners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DARNET DESIGN industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Yacht Design Services
- NAICS
- Other Specialized Design Services (54149), Interior Design Services (541410), Industrial Design Services (541420)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outfitting, Ergonomics & Accommodation Design (Human Factors, Interior Layouts) (IMAJAGAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Semi-Custom Luxury Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAA), Full-Custom Superyacht & Megayacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAB), Marine Outfitting & Interior Refurbishment (TLAKAKAL), Luxury Yacht Prototype, One-Off & Concept Build Programs (IMAJAMAL)
Keywords
Where DARNET DESIGN is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nantes
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
DARNET DESIGN business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Design Services: Professional design services for yacht interiors and exteriors, including concept development, detailed design drawings, and project coordination through to final realization. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts with yacht builders and individual yacht owners.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
DARNET DESIGN product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Darnet Design is a French yacht design studio that provides interior design and exterior styling for superyachts and series production yachts, from preliminary concept through to final realization. Its offering covers interior layout, furniture and joinery design, material selection, exterior hull lines, deck arrangements, and refit/redesign services for existing vessels. The studio works primarily with yacht manufacturers, shipyards, and private yacht owners across Europe.
Product overview
Darnet Design is a French yacht design studio (Nantes) offering three core services: Interior Design & Yacht Styling, Exterior Style, and Redesign & Refit. The firm works across four product categories: Custom Sailing Yachts, Custom Motor Yachts (including superyachts), Production Yacht Series (for serial manufacturers), and Special Projects (including innovative concepts like airships and non-marine projects). Key partner brands include Simbad Yachts, Privilège Marine catamarans, and all Outremer Yachting catamarans. The studio also designs distinctive projects like the Starlight superyacht series and the AirYacht airship-yacht hybrid concept.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Interior Design & Yacht Styling Core yacht interior design service covering furniture design, spatial planning, material selection, lighting, and bespoke joinery for superyachts and series production boats, delivered for yacht manufacturers and shipyards.
- Exterior Style Design of exterior lines, hull styling, superstructures, and deck arrangements for sailing and motor yachts, delivered to shipyards and private clients.
- Redesign & Refit Renovation and modernization of existing vessels, including interior redesign and exterior restyling for refit projects such as the Mahal Ko 76' catamaran and Magic Cat 80'.
- Superyacht Design Custom superyacht design services for motor and sailing yachts over 24 meters, delivered to shipyards and private owners of prestigious vessels.
- Custom Sailing Yacht Design Bespoke interior and exterior design for custom sailing yachts delivered through partnerships with naval architects, shipyards, and private owners.
- Custom Motor Yacht Design Design services for custom motor yachts, including interior and exterior styling, delivered to shipyards and private owners.
- Production Yacht Series Design Interior design and styling partnerships with serial production shipyards delivering coherent design across full model ranges for series production yachts.
- Special Projects Design Non-marine and innovative design projects, including the AirYacht 52M airship-yacht concept, river boats (Vogueo Paris, Paquebot 90M), private Airbus A380 interior, luxury bus (Centigon), hotel spas, and resorts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 25 years of continuous operation and design excellence
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use DARNET DESIGN
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
DARNET DESIGN technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
DARNET DESIGN partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key, minor and innovation.
- VPLP DesigncoreLong-term collaboration with VPLP (Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost) for naval architecture and exterior design on Outremer projects including the 64 (flagship) and other models. Partnership with Patrick Le Quément since 2010 for design excellence.
- Grand Large YachtingcorePartnership with Grand Large Yachting group since 2003, encompassing Allures Yachting (since 2002) and Outremer Yachting brands. The agency designs most boats in both catalogs, with 4 boats winning European Boat of the Year and 2 winning Best Boat in USA.
- Privilège MarinecoreComprehensive partnership for Privilège Marine catamaran line since 2018. Darnet Design provides both interior design (already ongoing) and exterior styling for Signature range including 580, 640, 650, and 750 models. Partnership extended to Vendée Globe limited edition.
- Patrick Le QuémentkeyCollaboration with former Renault Design Director (1987-2009), designer of Twingo, Scenic, and Vel Satis, for yacht style development. Worked together since 2010 on various projects.
- Marc Lombard Yacht Design GroupkeyNaval architect and exterior design partnership for Privilège Furio 6, Privilège 750 Signature, and other catamaran projects.
- Philippe BriandminorCollaboration on custom sailing yacht projects such as Whimsy 78', where Philippe Briand provided naval architecture while Darnet Design handled interior design.
- Pierre DelionkeyNaval architecture collaboration for Simbad 55' catamaran project, the first vessel for new premium brand Simbad Yachts.
- Espen OeinominorInternational naval architecture collaboration for superyacht design projects.
- Berret-RacoupeauminorNaval architecture partnership for various sailing yacht projects.
- AirYacht (Switzerland)innovation2021 collaboration to design radical airship-yacht crossover concept. Darnet Design created the 52-metre luxurious ultra-lightweight superyacht residence attached under a 200-metre helium-filled airship, featuring 750 square metres of indoor space including gym, sauna, and swimming pool.
- Soon ArchitectureminorCollaboration on terrestrial projects including Vital Spa Marseille and Vital Parc Forêt d'Orient resort.
- CNB (Construction Navale Bordeaux)keyCustom superyacht construction partner for projects like Viva-Savarona 93' (29m aluminum yacht).
- Multiplast/H2XkeyConstruction partner for large catamaran projects including Nahema 120' and refit projects like Magic Cat 80'.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DARNET DESIGN competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DARNET DESIGN social profiles
Digital presenceDARNET DESIGN financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DARNET DESIGN leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
DARNET DESIGN funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DARNET DESIGN M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DARNET DESIGN
What does DARNET DESIGN do?
Darnet Design is a French yacht design studio that provides interior design and exterior styling for superyachts and series production yachts, from preliminary concept through to final realization. Its offering covers interior layout, furniture and joinery design, material selection, exterior hull lines, deck arrangements, and refit/redesign services for existing vessels. The studio works primarily with yacht manufacturers, shipyards, and private yacht owners across Europe.
Is DARNET DESIGN a public or private company?
DARNET DESIGN is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DARNET DESIGN founded?
DARNET DESIGN was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DARNET DESIGN based?
DARNET DESIGN is headquartered in Nantes, France, in the Europe region.
How does DARNET DESIGN make money?
One revenue line is on record: design Services.
Does DARNET DESIGN have an API?
No public API is recorded for DARNET DESIGN.
What industry is DARNET DESIGN in?
DARNET DESIGN's product category is Yacht Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAGAM, Outfitting, Ergonomics & Accommodation Design (Human Factors, Interior Layouts), with a secondary code of IMAJAMAA, Semi-Custom Luxury Yacht Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 54149 and its SIC code is 3730.