About
Message from the Founders
Dear Origin Made Community
As we are about to embark on the sixth year of our crafts-focused design brand, we reflect on the extraordinary journey that brought Origin Made into existence. It all began with our travels to the city of Porto in 2014. We found ourselves captivated not only by the architectural beauty of this historical place but also by the artisanal traditions which we had discovered in northern Portugal. We witnessed the diversity of raw materials and masterful skills combining in processes of all scales, quietly producing for the world.
As an industrial design studio with respect for the Japanese Mingei folk crafts movement, we understood the importance of preserving these vanishing craft cultures in front of us. We needed to create a tangible way to thoughtfully communicate with the world what we had seen, touched and felt.
From day one, when we launched the brand in 2019, authenticity and human connection were at the forefront of our vision. We wanted our customers to not only enjoy original designs but to also feel a deeper connection with the people behind their product. Each Origin Made piece bears an invisible thread that connects its designer to its maker and to its user.
As our collection continues to grow, we are immensely grateful for your support, and hope that you continue on this journey with us.
With sincere gratitude,
Gabriel Tan and Cherie Er
December 2023
Our journey involves collaboration and intimacy. Designs from Gabriel Tan Studio have often been inspired during our visits to makers' workshops, emerging from conversations about previous work, interests, and capabilities. And when inviting other designers, we encourage them to likewise engage with the craftspeople, fostering positive relationships that can influence designs to make better products.
Philosophy: Preserving Vanishing Craft Cultures Through Design
Experience artistry with Origin Made where we fuse contemporary design sensibilities with masterful craft techniques honed over generations, resulting in collectible objects, lighting, and furniture that celebrate the authenticity of the human touch.
What sets us apart is our direct collaboration with small family-run workshops, solo artists and skilled craftspeople who hold the keys to traditional ways of making. By doing so, we unlock local methods and ways of handling raw materials, transforming them into unique, tangible expressions of art and design. Our makers breathe life into our creations, turning simple objects into conduits of cultural richness and individual mastery.
Origin Made as a design brand is also a movement to challenge perceptions about the things around us, to honor craftsmanship, and to invite people to see the world through a different lens. We are about forging human connections, crafting stories, and leaving an indelible mark on the canvas of design evolution. Welcome to the Origin Made experience, where every piece tells a tale about the people behind it and every home becomes a gallery showcasing our authentic human roots.
The heart of Origin Made beats with the belief that design goes beyond pure aesthetics - it represents a fusion of culture, identity, and expression. Our designs materialise through a meticulous process, integrating traditional production methods with contemporary forms, imbuing each piece with a timeless quality that transcends trends.
