Douglas Young says with a chuckle that 'the BlackBerry is the best thing ever invented'. He spoke in the G.O.D gallery at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre in Shek Kip Mei. The gallery, which is a public space and a source of inspiration for Young, is packed full of artefacts of yesteryear - old clocks, postboxes and black and white photographs cover the walls between stacks of wobbly wooden chairs and worn furnishings.
It seems an unlikely setting for Young, who co-founded the contemporary furniture, homeware and lifestyle accessories brand G.O.D (Goods of Desire) with Benjamin Lau in 1996, to speak about how important technology, especially communication technology such as mobile broadband, is to his business but he has always enjoyed the mix of old and new. 'I like to be retro as technology can be cold and inhumane. We present a human side of technology by injecting craftsmanship and traditional values into our products. When a customer holds one of our objects, they can feel it is crafted with care. That is the charm of a G.O.D product.'
But behind the nostalgic appeal of this much-loved Hong Kong brand is a vision ready to embrace the future.
'Technology enables us to compete,' Young says. 'It's always been this way for both companies and countries. Just think about China. Technology can give you the edge over your rivals, in everything from manufacturing, logistics and inventory management. Technology is a high priority at G.O.D.'
Communications technology is particularly important for Young on a work and personal level. He never watches television and, instead, watches videos on sites such as YouTube, and he turns to specialist websites for sources of information. For inspiration, he prefers first-hand experience, such as going to see great paintings or architecture in person, but for background knowledge on these works, the internet is his primary source and he sees it as a 'supplement to learning'.
Mobile communications technology is particularly time-saving, he says, as it offers immediate access and the portability means he can stay on top on his work wherever he goes.