British industrial designer and creative director
Michael Young (born 23 August 1966) is a British
industrial designer and
creative director based in Hong Kong. He works in the areas of product, furniture and interior design with studios in
Hong Kong and
Brussels .
[1] He is known for unconventional use of materials and manufacturing processes,
[2] and collaborations with brands such as
Brionvega ,
Cappellini ,
KEF , La Manufacture, and
MOKE International .
[3]
[4]
[5] He is interested in "how disruption in society always has a design response, because it usually creates a need for things that perform."
[6]
Life and career
Young was born in
Sunderland, England .
[7] He studied at
Kingston University and graduated in 1993.
[8] Early in his career, he worked with the designer
Tom Dixon in London.
[9]
[10]
[11] A grant from the
Crafts Council in 1994 enabled him to produce his first collection.
[12] In 1997 he was selected by Sir
Terrance Conran as the "Most Inspirational British Designer".
[13]
[14]
In 1994 he started his own studio and operated in
England ,
Iceland ,
Taiwan before settling in
Hong Kong in 2006 to avoid becoming a "European design casualty, wandering from trade fair to trade fair."
[15]
[16]
[17] Young has been the Creative Director for 100% Design Shanghai (2010, 2011, 2012),
[18]
[19] prior to which he was the Creative Director for 100% Design Tokyo (2008), and Creative Director of the
Asian Aerospace show (2009). He is a frequent public speaker, panellist, and design award jury member.
[20]
[21]
[22]
MY Sofa, Gallery ALL
Young has designed a wide variety of objects such as headphones, glassware, watches, bicycles, furniture, lighting, suitcases, as well as limited edition experimental furniture.
[23]
[24] He is interested in combining design with technical abilities of the local industry and often works directly with Chinese manufacturers and
industrialists .
[10]
[25] Throughout his career, he worked with clients such as
Bacardi ,
Cathay Pacific ,
Coalesse ,
Coca-Cola ,
Emeco ,
Giant Bicycles ,
Gufram , M2O,
Magis [
it ] ,
Georg Jensen ,
Trussardi ,
Schneider Electric ,
Steelcase , and
WonderGlass .
[26]
[27]
[28]
[29]
[30]
[31]
[11]
In 2012, Young was approached by
Chery subsidiary
MOKE International to design a 21st-century version of the Moke (styled MOKE).
[32] Young has said he considered this project a "call of duty".
[33] In 2018 Young re-engineered a continuation model, which is also used as the basis for the Electric Moke.
[34]
[35]
[3]
His work has been exhibited the
Design Museum in London, the
Pompidou Centre and the
Louvre Museum in Paris,
[21] and at solo exhibitions in Kyoto, Miami, Hong Kong, Milan, Paris and Belgium in 2016 for an exhibition curated by
Maria Cristina Didero called Al(l) Projects with Aluminum at the Centre d'Innovation et de Design at
Grand-Hornu .
[36]
[37]
[38] Young's collaboration with Japanese master craftsmen Nambu Tekki was included in an exhibition at Kudan House in Tokyo called Craft x Tech Tohoku Project (also curated by Didero).
[39] Described as an exploration of "heritage and contemporary technology [with a] history dating back centuries", the pieces in the exhibition seek to "[bring] Japan’s traditional crafts to a new, contemporary audience."
[40] The show also included works by
Sabine Marcelis ,
Studio Swine ,
Ini Archibong ,
Yoichi Ochiai , and
Hideki Yoshimoto .
[41]
[42]
[43] Pieces designed by Young are held in the collections of the
Victoria and Albert museum (V&A) and the Design Museum in London, the
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art , and the
M+ museum in Hong Kong.
[3]
[44]
[45]
He has spoken openly about growing up with
dyslexia and how this impacted his education and career, stating "Dyslexia very much prevented me from becoming an academic. Every day in class I was left in my own imagination. I didn't really absorb any information from mathematics, English, geography, history… I made my own universe and kind of built my own way."
[46]
[47]
[48]
Awards
2008 Winner of
Eurobike Awards[
citation needed ]
2009 Best of dining chair by Wallpaper Design Award
[49]
2009 Red Dot Award[
citation needed ]
2010 Red Dot Award[
citation needed ]
2011
Japanese Good Design Award [
citation needed ]
2012 Red Dot Design Award, Oregon Scientific RA9000
[50]
2014 Silver Award at the 2014
NeoCon World's Trade Fair for the LessThanFive chair, manufactured by
Coalesse
[51]
2013 D&AD Award, Product Design, EOQ
[52]
2015 Red Dot Design Award, Winner, TST Sofa
[53]
2016 Red Dot Design Award, Winner, Jougor MY Faucet
[54]
2017 iF Design Award, Gold Award, Master Series Michael Young Watch
[55]
2017
iF Design Award , Gold Award, LessThanFive Chair
[56]
2017 Good Design Award, Gold Winner, Clipsal Iconic
[57]
2017
Red Dot Design Award , Winner, LessThanFive Chair
[58]
2019
Design Anthology Awards, Finalists, Templates Watch
[59]
2019
German Design Award , Winner, Templates Watch
[60]
2022
Good Design Award , Winner, Omura Series X
[61]
Publications
Al(l) Projects in Aluminium by Michael Young (Stichting Kunstboak, 2016). Borka, Max; Chen, Aric; Didero, Maria Cristina; Pok, Marie.
ISBN
978-90-5856-540-2 .
[62]
100 Best Bikes (Laurence King Publishing, 2012)
ISBN
978-1-78067-396-7 .
[63]
Works in China by
John Heskett (2011)
[64]
[65]
[66]
1000 New Designs and Where to Find Them (Laurence King Publishing, 2010)
ISBN
1-85669-466-6 .
[67]
The International Design Yearbook (Laurence King Publishing, 2007)
ISBN
978-1-85669-516-9 .
[68]
Design Now! (TACHEN, 2007)
ISBN
978-3-8228-5267-5 .
[69]
Desire, the Shape of Things to Come (Gastalen, 2008)
ISBN
978-3-89955-218-8 .
[70]
Modern Furniture, 150 Years of Design (Trandem Verlag GmbH, 2009; H.F. Ullmann. 2012)
ISBN
978-3-8480-0030-2
[71]
Gallery
2019 Moke America eMoke, front left (Amagansett)
2019 Moke America eMoke, rear left (Amagansett)
MOKE - Military Collection
Dog House - Magis - Michael Young 1
Brionvega WearIT TS217 bluetooth speaker
EOQ-8241 R s
MYS Oxygen Chair prep 2 2014
MY Coalesse lessthanfive Sanding1
References
^ Ray, Debika (22 May 2015).
"Michael Young: Remade in China" . ICON Magazine . Retrieved 29 April 2024 .
^ Magazine, Wallpaper* (2 February 2016).
"Metallic moments: Michael Young presents the evolution of aluminium" . Wallpaper* . Retrieved 25 September 2022 .
^
a
b
c Tsai, Florence.
"Industrial Designer Michael Young Sets His Sights On China" . Forbes . Retrieved 17 September 2022 .
^ Jonathan Bell (10 November 2022).
"Revived cult classic all-electric Moke makes it to the States" . wallpaper.com . Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^
"The Wired Chair, designed by Michael Young" . Core77 . Retrieved 24 August 2023 .
^
"A Conversation with Michael Young" . Steelcase . 26 May 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2022 .
^
"Michael Young: Passion for Aluminium" . TLmagazine . 9 February 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2022 .
^
"Michael Young" . www.design-burger.com . Retrieved 25 September 2022 .
^
"Michael Young / Designing Modern Britain – Design Museum : – Design/Designer Information" . Design Museum. 26 November 2006. Archived from
the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2012 .
^
a
b Works in China by John Heskett 2011
^
a
b
"CHELSEA BOY - WonderGlass" . wonderglass.com . 10 November 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2024 .
^
"MICHAEL YOUNG | DESIGNERS | E&Y" . www.eandy.com . Retrieved 28 April 2024 .
^
"Designers" . Nativeunion.com. Archived from
the original on 12 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012 .
^
"Reed Exhibitions Unveils Stellar Panel of Design Experts for 100% Design Shanghai & IHDD 2011" . Enews.100percentdesign.com.cn. 15 July 2011. Archived from
the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2012 .
^ Craswell, Penny (1 December 2023).
"Profile: Michael Young & China" . Architecture Media (ArchitectureAU) . Retrieved 26 June 2023 .
^
"Bridging to the Future of Design" (PDF) . gba.investhk.gov.hk . 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2023 .
^ Blanchard, Tamsin (16 April 2000).
"Young and gifted" . The Observer .
ISSN
0029-7712 . Retrieved 17 April 2024 .
^
"Creative Director – 100 Percent Design Shanghai" . 100percentdesign.com.cn. Archived from
the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012 .
^
"Michael Young — GrantOnDesign" . grantondesign.com . Retrieved 25 September 2022 .
^
"Dezeen launches China edition of Dezeen Awards in partnership with Bentley" . Dezeen . 12 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023 .
^
a
b
"The jury -Annual Contests – Award – ASIA PACIFIC DESIGNERS FEDERATION" . en.iai-ap.org . Retrieved 21 June 2023 .
^
"Michael Young" . Design Shanghai . Retrieved 29 June 2023 .
^
http://www.michael-young.com/ Michael Young official website
^
"Michael Young – Product Designer" . Home Review. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012 .
^
"eoq – about the designer" . Eoq-design.com. Archived from
the original on 15 November 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012 .
^
"Designer" . Brionvega (in Italian). Retrieved 5 September 2022 .
^
"Emeco – Michael Young" . www.emeco.net . Retrieved 26 September 2022 .
^
"Cityspeed by Michael Young" . Dezeen . 15 August 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2022 .
^
"Salone del Mobile: Trussardi / Michael Young" . Dazed . 13 April 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2023 .
^ Neira, Juliana (8 March 2017).
"clipsal iconic by michael young features customizable switches + sockets" . designboom | architecture & design magazine . Retrieved 9 August 2023 .
^ Burgos, Matthew (8 August 2023).
"michael young shapes M2O water bottle with round lid and off-centered cap for easy pouring" . designboom | architecture & design magazine . Retrieved 9 August 2023 .
^
"Moke car by Michael Young" . Dezeen . 18 October 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2022 .
^ Ernst, Kurt.
"Chinese automaker Chery restarts Moke production" . www.hemmings.com . Retrieved 25 September 2022 .
^
"MOKE Story" . MOKE® | Living The Dream | Since 1964 . Retrieved 26 May 2022 .
^
"from gasoline to electric: MOKE auctioned off last petrol vehicle for charity" . designboom | architecture & design magazine . 24 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022 .
^ Sammicheli, Marco (24 February 2016).
"Michael Young, projects in aluminium" . Abitare . Retrieved 22 April 2023 .
^
"Michael Young Exhibition at Grand Hornu is Al(l) About Aluminum" . DesignBoom . 3 February 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016 .
^
"Michael Young, designer de l'aluminium" . Le Monde.fr (in French). 30 March 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2024 .
^ Yamada, Mio (18 May 2024).
"A new initiative rethinks old Tohoku crafts" . The Japan Times . Retrieved 3 June 2024 .
^ Demetriou, Danielle (2 June 2024).
"Craft x Tech elevates Japanese craftsmanship with progressive technology" . wallpaper.com . Retrieved 3 June 2024 .
^ Akkam, Alia (20 May 2024).
"Tohoku Project presents inaugural Craft x Tech exhibition" . Architectural Digest . Retrieved 3 June 2024 .
^
"Craft x Tech Tohoku Project 2024 Exhibition to be Held at kudan house" . ADF Web Magazine (in Japanese). 24 April 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024 .
^
"CRAFT X TECH - An initiative to unify traditional Japanese craft and contemporary technology" . CRAFT X TECH . Retrieved 3 June 2024 .
^
"Sofa, 1994 (made), Michael Young" . Victoria and Albert Museum . 1994. Retrieved 19 May 2023 .
^
"Michael Young | Makers | M+" . M+ Museum . Retrieved 3 June 2024 .
^
"Michael Young — Material Matters" . materialmatters.design . Retrieved 17 September 2022 .
^ Ayala, Adriana (8 June 2020).
"The transcendental work of Michael Young" . DesignWanted . Retrieved 17 September 2022 .
^ Khan, Zohra (4 June 2021).
"UNSCRIPTED with Michael Young: Welding Wonders with Naivety" . www.stirworld.com . Retrieved 25 July 2023 .
^
"Young | Home | Wallpaper* Magazine" . Wallpaper.com. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 9 August 2012 . [
permanent dead link ]
^
"Sport Profile Watch" . Red Dot Design Award .
^
"Best of NeoCon 2014 Winners" . DesignApplause . 16 June 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2016 .
^
"Bramah Pendant | EOQ | EOQ | D&AD Awards 2013 Pencil Winner | Industrial Product Design | D&AD" . www.dandad.org . Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^
"TST Sofa by Michael Young" . Red Dot Design Award .
^
"Bath Tub Faucet – MY31A" . Red Dot Design Award . Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^
"iF Design – Master Series Michael Young Watch" . ifdesign.com (in German). Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^
"iF Design – LessThanFive" . ifdesign.com (in German). Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^
"Clipsal Iconic™" . Good Design . Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^
"Less Than Five Chair by Michael Young" . Red Dot Design Award . Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^
"Design Anthology Awards 2019: Announcing the Winners" . Design Anthology . 25 February 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^
"CIGA Design Michael Young Watch – Winner – Luxury Goods – German Design Award" . www.german-design-award.com . Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^
"The Good Design Awards" . www.good-designawards.com . Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^ Maria Cristina Didero; Marie Pok; Max Borka (2016). Al(l) : projects in aluminium by Michael Young . Oostkamp: Stichting Kunstboak.
ISBN
978-90-5856-540-2 .
OCLC
944160332 .
^ Sardar, Zahid (2012). 100 Best Bikes . London: Laurence King Publishing.
ISBN
978-1-78067-396-7 .
OCLC
1314620554 .
^ designboom, andrea chin I. (5 July 2011).
"michael young: works in china" . designboom | architecture & design magazine . Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^ Malaika Byng (29 June 2011).
"Michael Young: Works in China – Part 1 Design Art" . wallpaper.com . Retrieved 12 November 2022 .
^
"Competition: five signed copies of Michael Young: Works in China to be won" . Dezeen . 30 June 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2023 .
^ Hudson, Jennifer (2006). 1000 new designs and where to find them : a 21st century sourcebook . London: Laurence King.
ISBN
1-85669-466-6 .
OCLC
64747663 .
^ Urquiola, Patricia; Hudson, Jennifer (2007). The international design yearbook 2007 . London: Laurence King.
ISBN
978-1-85669-516-9 .
OCLC
271087769 .
^ Fiell, Charlotte (2007). Design now! . Peter Fiell. Köln: Taschen.
ISBN
978-3-8228-5267-5 .
OCLC
214284239 .
^ Desire : the shape of things to come . Berlin: Gestalten. 2008.
ISBN
978-3-89955-218-8 .
OCLC
228358619 .
^ Volker Albus; Andrea Mehlhose; Martin Wellner; et al. (2012). Modern furniture : 150 years of design = Meubles modernes : 150 ans de design = Moderne Möbel : 150 Jahre Design (Updated ed.). Potsdam: H.F. Ullmann.
ISBN
978-3-8480-0030-2 .
OCLC
760978529 .
External links
International National Artists Other