Michael Young Interview Exclusively @ Delood

Article

Michael Young Interview Exclusively @ Delood

Article by Tania Droggitou
Posted on March 24th, 2011
in Design & Michael Young

MICHAEL YOUNG CV

In a career that spans little more than 18 years, British-born and Hong Kong based designer Michael Young, established himself from the very beginning as one of the world’s leading figures in his trade. Apart from his endlessly copied designs and its unparalleled power to generate a vibrant but relaxed atmosphere, the uniqueness of his work also resides in his constant questioning of typologies and habits, combined with the pioneering passion for technology that after some time also brought him to Asia, continuously crossing borders and pushing innovation to its very limits in a fresh approach that effortlessly blends east and west, or past and future, while marrying the industry to what is often seen as its very opposite: sheer poetry. “It is design as industrial art that interests me, not in a limited edition, but in mass-production”.

Michael Young Studio was founded in London in 1994 and incorporated in Hong Kong January 2006 by Mr. Michael Young, the studio is considered to be the most formidable presently in Asia and is bold enough to state that it is responsible for designing icons for its clients that live a lifetime, have won awards and are presented in museums globally. The key objective and mission of the company is to provide exclusive and quality design services within furniture, product and interior design markets. Michael Young’s studio has a very unique environment to work along side with and is one of a kind in Asia. The studio is specialist in creating the connection of modern design and technical abilities of the local industry, in this case the Chinese. Rising from the momentum of collaboration with Chinese industrialists, the studio captures the strengthening ties between local industry and design, and exemplifies the skills of Asia industry and manufacturing. They see the work not as Design but as Industrial Art where some of the highest levels of manufacturing have been employed to experiment with typologies and the creative relationships between individual and industry at affordable prices. The studio also maintains international relationship and works with clients globally.

INTERVIEW

What does design mean for you?

Apart from being all I can really do for a living it means the creation of economy but what I love about design is that inside it's universe is the creation of 1000 amazing events, be it love, hate, hyporocy or pleasure ....its a big world

What is design in your life?

My own work is pretty much all an encompassing experience on many levels, it keeps me busy day and night ...in my home I can escape in a nice wood interior but my mind is still in the kinetics of the studio and the projects ...

Please describe the changes in design over the last 20 years.

I started around 19 years ago and people designed in a way that was closer to the heart, like in the way music was real 20 years ago and talent was what made people succed, now its seems design is becoming like Pop Idol, I'll always be more Ramone than Take That but I like to travel first class, I like to think the real stuff wins.

Which designers/architects have influenced your work the most?

No one really, I am not big on design ....it does not really interest me much at all. I'd rather have a beer than read a magazine or go to a museum.

What item have you envied because of its design?

The E-type Jaguar and the Mini Moke, so Japanse ceramics maybe.

Do you believe that design assists in the creation of a “better” world?

Thats a bitto broad readlly for a question, but if it creates ecomony for more then the creator its a good thing .

Should design be more inexpensive or does it deserve to be paid for at a high price?

Its in the eye of the beholder ...both are worthy, these days the things made for the peasents like wood beds are like gold because wood is so rare ..values are complex now, we pay for craft, we pay for percieved value ...but really its nice to make things that are of value and last a lifetime ...

What led you to become involved in design?

The lack of alternatives at the time ...there weren't so many when I started ...It was a street level thing ...make something and sell it ...buy some food, make another ..It's all I could do because I refused to work.

If you were not a designer, what other profession would you have chosen?

Maybe work on the land and grow vegetables and fruit, I like outdoor things. I never had a job, if I can't walk out of a room after more than a minute I get confused.

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Sources:

Michael Young Studio

design magazine

design