michael young: works in china

front and back cover of ‘michael young: works in china’ written by john heskett graphics for the book by fabien monheim

british-born hong kong-based designer michael young currently exhibits ‘works in china – part 1 design art’ at the cat street gallery, hong kong, a show which surveys the latest and most iconic works of his 20-year career. within the 3500 square foot gallery, young was given free reign to showcase his work and vision of design not only for functionality purposes, but as industrial art. the show runs until july 17th, 2011.

sample spreads from ‘works in china’:

the exhibition coincides with the release of young’s new book ‘works in china’ written by john heskettt.

the publication looks at the process of design, and provides documentation of a number of young’s products, illustrated concept sketches, renderings to photographs of the finished designs. it examines five asian brands which young has collaborated with and their design process, features interviews with the CEOs of those brands and michael’s own design team, and includes spreads which show images of project interiors in asia as well as photomontages of his time living there.

‘when I arrived in asia I decided to record some of the important moments and meetings with new clients, I did not know the reason why, I just felt it important to collect the data since the impact the local environment was having on my creative process was immeasurable. after a chance meeting with academic john heskett in 2010, it was obvious we were working in parallel – studying how design could impact on the economic growth of brands. I never saw reason to make a classic design book for the coffee table, I wanted to make a useful tool and whilst the contents of this book are not a guide to working in china they will certainly demystify the process. after almost 20 years my first book ‘works in china’. – michael young

introduction by michael young