One of Hong Kong’s best-known designers, Michael Young set up shop here a decade ago and works with a variety of products, from gadgets and glassware to furniture and bags. Some of his most recent projects were a piece of sculptural lighting for Lasvit called the Clover light, a carbon fibre chair called Less Than Five, and an upcoming car concept. We speak to him about his work and his view on the design market today.
I’ve always been working with more industrial technology, but I find myself at home surrounding myself by authentic, older, classical objects, purely because I think humans are attracted to warmth and humility as opposed to coldness. If you have these objects around you, it’s a nicer way to build a nest. I think there’s a lot to be said for classic design.
The design market has changed. A lot of smaller companies are competing now. There are a lot of designer-makers, and they can only really afford to make things in wood. There’s a bit of a resurgence in these low-tech materials, which is a good thing, because plastic isn’t really good to use for furniture. It’s pretty ugly, at the end of the day.
Technology and craft are blurring into each other. There’s a new generation of hybrid. Design is evolving. It’s quite a fascinating time.
There are different levels of design. We work for larger companies who demand us to push the boundaries of technology, which is really how you stay on top of the design market and how you remain competitive. The problem is that if you design a wooden chair – anyone can do that.
I think the consumer is much more sensitive to what they buy now. There was a big resurgence in handcrafting – all the Italian brands decided that their marketing tool was their history and the craft of leatherwork. I think those craft techniques are much more valuable than they used to be. The sense of ceremony has become a little more important.
Click through our slideshow gallery of Michael’s designs below:
