Six years have passed since the foundation of the Porto-based design company Origin Made. Its founders, Gabriel Tan and Cherie Er, came all the way from the other side of the world to settle in this Portuguese town that sits close to many of the workshops and skilled artisans they have always been interested in working with to create meaningful design pieces that combine functionality and beauty. 

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Rooted in Portuguese craftsmanship while expanding across borders, Origin Made is keen on telling stories of tradition, materiality, and the human touch. By working in small-batch productions and valuing the uniqueness of handmade processes, Origin Made not only preserves crafts that seem lost in time but also gives them renewed relevance in today’s design landscape. And their story is as thoughtful as everything they make.

How did Origin Made begin? Besides your travels to Porto and discovering a quiet industry devoted to crafts, how did Origin Made take shape into what we know today? 

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Origin Made began quite organically during our early travels to Porto, even before we decided to move to the city. What struck us most was discovering these incredible family-run workshops that had been perfecting their craft for generations yet remained relatively unknown to the wider world. The city had this remarkable ecosystem of craftspeople—woodworkers, metalworkers, ceramicists—all working with traditional techniques but not yet well connected with contemporary markets. That disconnect really sparked something in us. 

 

Along with Cherie, Origin Made’s co-founder, we saw an opportunity to bridge these artisans’ exceptional skills with modern design sensibilities. Our commitment to slow, thoughtful production and our belief in creating contemporary pieces that honor traditional craftsmanship definitely helped shape Origin Made into what it is today.

 

THE ART OF SLOW MAKING: WHY HANDCRAFTED OBJECTS MATTER

 

What are your backgrounds, and what led you to dedicate your life to design and craftsmanship?

 

My (Gabriel Tan) journey in design began with my industrial design education at the National University of Singapore and then as a co-founder of the design collective Outofstock Design. But what shaped my perspective was working across different cultural contexts—from Singapore to New York, Barcelona to Japan, before finally settling down in Portugal, specifically Porto. These experiences showed me how design can be a powerful way to preserve and evolve craft traditions. Cherie worked in finance before joining me on this journey of reviving crafts through design. Her people skills and business acumen are key to the success of Origin Made. 

 

Can you tell me what the Japanese Mingei folk crafts movement is? 

 

The Mingei movement deeply resonates with our philosophy at Origin Made. Founded by Soetsu Yanagi in the 1920s, it celebrates the beauty of everyday objects made by folk artisans. What is fascinating about Mingei is its emphasis on the beauty that emerges from necessity and function—objects made to be used, not just displayed. The movement champions the idea that true beauty comes from integrating utility, necessity, and the natural making process.

 

At Origin Made, we have expanded this philosophy in an interesting way—while we embrace Mingei’s core principle of functional beauty, we also recognize that beauty itself serves a function. We believe that objects and art perform an intangible but very real function. They generate emotions, pleasant moods, and lasting memories that contribute to our overall well-being. A beautiful, crafted sculpture might not have an obvious physical utility like a chair or a bowl, but its presence can transform a space, evoke joy, or create moments of contemplation.

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What was your first collection? How did you come up with it, and what was its underlying inspiration?

 

Our first collection was deeply inspired by Portuguese craft traditions, particularly barro preto. The first pieces I designed for Origin Made were the Charred Vases, which have since become our perennial bestsellers. This traditional Portuguese way of firing clay in an underground kiln results in pieces that take on a distinctive finish and usually produce cookware such as oven pots and casserole dishes. The characteristic geometric forms of the Charred Vases introduced a new typology of products for barro preto application—decorative vases for floral arrangements.

 

CRAFTED NARRATIVES, TIMELESS OBJECTS

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How do you see your evolution as a brand and studio since you first started?

 

While Origin Made started by offering smaller collectible objects and home décor items, over the years, we began introducing small furniture items such as dining chairs, side tables, display plinths, and lighting. This year, Origin Made has made the jump to introduce larger furniture items, such as our first dining table—the Monumental Table designed by Gabriel Tan, and our very first upholstered seating, the Chalé Chair, a lounge seat designed by Hallgeir Homstvedt. 

 

We also launched our first collections of floor and wall rugs—Teia and Margem—signaling our foray into textile products. With this expansion of our interior offerings to cover a range of furniture, lighting, rugs, and design objects, we can now construct complete interior environments that genuinely reflect our philosophy where heritage crafts, modern design, and natural materials meet to create spaces that encourage gathering and connection.

 

What do you enjoy the most about Origin Made and your work?

 

The most satisfying aspect is witnessing the dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. There is something magical about seeing an artisan with decades of experience interpret our designs through their craft, often adding subtle nuances that can only come from deep material knowledge. I particularly enjoy the moments of discovery—finding new workshops, learning about traditional techniques, and seeing how these can be reimagined for contemporary contexts. The relationships we have built with craftspeople have become the heart of what we do.

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CELEBRATING TIME-HONORED TECHNIQUES

 

Can you describe the process of collaborating with small, family-run workshops, solo artists, and craftspeople?

 

Our collaboration process is very personal and built on mutual respect. We and our collaborating designers spend time understanding each workshop’s unique capabilities, their traditional techniques, and their preferred ways of working. It is never about imposing our design requirements; instead, we develop designs that embrace their expertise while gently pushing into new territory. We are constantly learning from their deep knowledge of materials and techniques. This process requires patience, as making by hand can’t be rushed, but this slower pace allows for thoughtful development and refinement of each piece.

 

A crucial aspect of our approach is understanding and respecting the natural rhythm and capacity of small, family-run workshops. Most of our craftspeople and workshops aren’t set up for, nor interested in, large-scale production. They are artists and skilled makers who prioritize quality and attention to detail over quantity. This is why we consciously work in small-batch productions, typically creating limited quantities of each piece. This approach allows our artisan partners to maintain high standards without feeling pressured or overwhelmed by production demands. Sometimes, this means longer lead times, but we believe it is worth preserving the integrity of the craftsmanship and ensuring our artisan partners' well-being.

 

THE HUMAN TOUCH BEHIND EVERY OBJECT

 

What are your absolute favorite materials to work with?

 

I have a particular affinity for wood and also metal, such as brass, because of how it ages and develops character over time. These materials tell a story through their use and wear. I am also drawn to pottery and ceramics. What makes clay unique isn’t just its physical properties but how they have been understood and worked with by the seasoned hands of craftspeople over generations. 

 

Which techniques are closer to your hearts and definitely part of your creative process?

 

There is just something profound traditional joinery techniques, including joints that have been refined over centuries and can hold up structures and weights without any need for mechanical fasteners. We are also deeply interested in metal spinning, clay throwing techniques, stonemasonry, and basket weaving. 

 

What is it you desire the most for Origin Made going forward?

 

While our journey began in Porto and our roots in Portuguese craftsmanship remain strong, our vision for Origin Made’s future is increasingly global. We see incredible opportunities to discover and support craft cultures not just in the Iberian Peninsula but across Asia, South America, Africa, and beyond. Each region has its own rich heritage of craftsmanship, often preserved through generations of artisans, and we are excited to explore these diverse traditions and techniques.

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https://origin-made.com

@originmade