Gabriel Tan

Gabriel Tan

Gabriel Tan (*1982 in Singapore) is an international designer whose work mediates between craft and industrial manufacturing, tradition and innovation. His fascination with design began unexpectedly during his time as a naval officer, when he came across design literature by chance in Singapore's National Library. The decision to end his military career and study Industrial Design at the National University of Singapore laid the foundation for a career that now spans over 18 years.

After co-founding the design collective Outofstock Design (2006-2015), Tan opened Gabriel Tan Studio and the research and interior design firm Studio Antimatter in 2016. Together with his wife, he also founded the design and craft brand Origin Made. Now living in Portugal with his family and working from two studios - in Porto and Singapore - Tan's designs reflect both European and Asian design dialogues, working with international brands such as B&B Italia, Herman Miller, Louis Poulsen, Design Within Reach, Schönbuch, Blå Station and Abstracta. His approach combines precise material studies, social interaction, comfort and durability - always with the aim of rethinking familiar typologies.

With the Rumee, Tan presents his first collaboration with Louis Poulsen. The mobile luminaire is characterised by glare-free light, a tilted shade and a soft 360-degree light emission, making it suitable as a reading light, mood light or night light. Tan uses the lamp himself in his home - for reading, reading aloud and as a soft light source in the early morning. The combination of warm, functional light and natural feel reflects his belief that "aesthetics is not just form - it improves the way we feel."

In addition to his studio work, Tan teaches at universities such as Lasalle College of the Arts, National University of Singapore, University of Oregon and Pratt Institute. He has been honoured for his work with the IDEA Award, the Japan Good Design Award and the Singapore President's Design Award (Designer of the Year) in 2025, among others.