Closure of Glade Johnson Design Inc.

After 25 years in the industry, Glade Johnson, principle designer and founder of Glade Johnson Design, has announced the closure of the studio, which finished trading in January 2011. Due to the effects of the economic downturn, the decision was not taken lightly but was considered unavoidable. “The economic slowdown was the problem,” explained Johnson to SYD.

Established in 1987, the Seattle-based studio has worked with a number of international shipyards including Christensen, Delta, Lloyds, Trinity, Feadship, Alloy Yachts, Danish Yachts and Lurssen, producing interior and exterior designs for yachts from 30 to 60-metres. “The award-winning 101-metre rebuild of Attessa IV is our greatest achievement,” said Johnson. “The interior of Lurssen's Oasis also stands out for me.”

"Glade was a great boss and allowed me to take on more and more responsibility during my 17 years with the company," explained Johnson's project manager, Bob Kertell, responsible for interior design and shipyard coordination. "He was always open to new ideas no matter where they came from. If the ideas improved the quality of the project that was all that mattered." Something that project manager at Washington Yachting Group, captain Ted McCumber agrees with. "The thing I will miss most about working with Glade and the crew, is not being able to call Glade and bounce my stupid ideas of him. Glade, being so polite, would never come right out and say that's a stupid idea."

With the closure of the studio, Johnson has taken the decision to put his pencil down for the last time and retire. Looking back over his career, the American designer told SYD that the highlight has been the opportunity to work with owners keen to create and enjoy a great yacht: “This has made my career exciting and fun with no regrets.”

John Cantu of Nautilus 3D told us that "working for Glade was always a pleasure. He contributed so much to this industry over the years with his attention to detail and creative expertise, and really put together a blueprint for the rest of us on how to be an original, creative, and successful yacht designer."

SYD was eager to know what advice the award-winner could impart to the next generation of budding designers? “Listen carefully to your owners, stay flexible, be creative, personally watch over every detail… and keep your overheads low," Johnson advised.

---

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.