reflections 2023– Origin Made

Reflections on 2023

December 30, 2023

Dear Friends of Origin Made,

As 2023 draws to a close, we would like to share a moment of reflection on an eventful year. We are grateful to collaborate with talented designers and skilled makers who share our passion and values, and warmly welcome designers Philippe Malouin, Sebastian Herkner, Claesson Koivisto Rune, and makers Philipp Grundhöfer, Francisco Andrade, Vitor Silva and Jairo Lourenço to our family of like-minded collaborators.

Origin Made is about celebrating and elevating craft cultures through contemporary design. We are on a mission to create objects and furniture that tell stories, bare souls, and fulfil a purpose — to enrich our daily lives and living spaces. We are proud to be part of the global design community and are delighted to have been able to showcase our products at some of the most influential design events in the world. At Milan Design Week 2023 we launched eight new designs at ‘Still Life - The Art of Living’, a collaborative showcase of six design brands which took place in an authentic Milanese apartment in the center of the city. The theme resonated with our vision of crafting both functional and artful collectible designs for the home and we are honored to have been one of the participating brands.

Our eight new products launched in 2023 include the Brut Sculptures designed by Philippe Malouin, made by Vitor Silva / Jairo Lourenço, the Constellation Incense Holder designed by Sebastian Herkner, made by Francisco Andrade, the Tulipa Planters designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune, made by João Lourenço, Artesão and Évora tables designed by Norm Architects, made by Philipp Grundhöfer, and the Ornament & Crime Sculptures, Weaver’s Chair and Meia Lua Chair, designed by Gabriel Tan Studio and made by Carlos Barbosa / Maria Adelina. Each of these objects and furniture pieces represent elegance and boldness in its visual expression while lauding its material medium, be it pigmented concrete, solid brass, clay, paper cord, or solid wood. We also introduced a smaller version of the Window Mirror, and a new Alpinina stone base for Candeia Candle Holder. We are immensely thankful that these have been well-received by our valued customers and retail partners.

In September 2023, we launched Experimental Editions, which features one-off pieces that represent design and material explorations, off-production prototypes, and items with inherent but still beautiful imperfections, as an initiative to show our commitment to reducing waste and supporting the livelihoods of our skilled makers.

We envision Origin Made to be more than just a brand, and in 2024, we hope to foster a movement: one that promotes the art of living well, with a profound respect and appreciation for natural / raw materials, while celebrating people, culture, and keeping craft traditions alive. This is a movement that seeks to inspire and empower people to create, to explore, and to enjoy.

2024 is going to be an exciting journey for us. We are working on new designs that explore the intersection of functionality, craft, design, and art. While we continue our commitment to create pieces that not only enhance home aesthetics but also reflect the rich heritage of craftsmanship, we also aim to expand our impact and reach more people. Our goal remains to bring joy and meaning to our customers and collaborators through our craft-driven designs.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and we wish you and your family happiness and success in the new year.

With warmest regards,
Cherie Er and Gabriel Tan