Tina Frey is a San Francisco-based sculptural artist, product designer, and founder of TF Design, a creative studio and workshop known for its hand-sculpted resin pieces. Her work spans tableware, sculptural objects, accessories, furniture and large-scale installations—each celebrated for its tactile quality, minimalist elegance and timeless functionality. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada, Tina’s creative instincts were shaped early on by her father’s passion for art, architecture and handmade design. Her childhood immersion in nature and seasonal landscapes continues to inform her visual language today. With a highly visual memory and intuitive approach to form, Tina’s artistic practice blends inspiration from global cultures, natural environments and her deep appreciation for materiality. Continuously evolving, Tina explores new materials and collaborations, pushing the boundaries of functional art with intention and soul. See how Tina Frey brings sculptural soul to everyday objects in today’s Maker Monday.
Rooted in nature and shaped by hand, the Fleur series channels Tina Frey’s instinct for turning organic forms into objects of everyday joy.
Andrew Joseph: What inspired you to become a designer?
Tina Frey: Becoming a designer wasn’t something that I consciously pursued, as it sort of happened. This is something you recognize as being a part of you that comes from within. I have always known since I was a child that doing creative things was my passion. It came naturally to me to follow this path. Although I didn’t pursue this as a profession initially, it felt like pursuing this as a career path was about not standing in the way of my true calling. I also knew that if I didn’t follow this path, I would regret not doing it.
AJ: Can you describe your design philosophy in three words?
TF: Minimal, handcrafted, functional.
AJ: Can you tell us a design trend you are excited about?
TF: I am not excited about design trends. If it is a trend, it is already over. As a creative person, it is important not to follow trends. It is about creating something that is beyond a trend and coming up with something that has not been done before.
Hand-crafted and fluid in form, these minimalist utensils are as elegant on the counter as they are in hand.
AJ: How do you stay creative and inspired?
TF: I really enjoy meditation. I have been taking time off to completely disconnect each year in some form of retreat. The one I did the last 2 years was in a weeklong silent darkness meditation retreat. I find clearing my mind and surroundings of all distractions allows for lots of inspiration to come through. I also love being out in nature daily on hikes and just being outdoors. All of nature is inspiring.
AJ: What is your favorite place to find inspiration?
TF: I love where I live in Northern California. Our house is surrounded by nature, the trees, birds, frogs, deer, rabbits, etc. It is so quiet here, and I feel recharged when I am here. Just watching the sunrise, the sunset, noticing the phases of the moon, the stars, and the change in the seasons is totally inspiring.
AJ: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
TF: I am so fortunate to have complete creative freedom. It is so liberating to be able to follow my heart and sculpt and to create anything that I want at any time. I also like sharing what I create with the world, and I am so happy that people like what I have created.
AJ: How do you balance functionality and aesthetics in your designs?
TF: The key to balance is not to overthink or second-guess what you are creating. I usually start with the idea of making a sort of functional item. The designs just flow from this place of creativity, and I just let it happen. I trust that I have a certain way of creating that is aesthetically in line with my DNA and is consistent with the collection.
Like candy for the design-obsessed, Tina’s Segment pieces turn storage into sculpture.
AJ: What is your favorite thing about being a designer?
TF: I can interpret any functional object in a way that I feel is beautiful or interesting. There are no limits to the way you can make that object, and I like being able to interpret that in my way with my own voice.
AJ: What is your favorite design tool to use?
TF: I like using my hands the most. I love the ability to get my hands on a piece of clay to translate what I am imagining in my mind into a 3D object. There is something special about touch and being able to create something out of thin air into something people can see, use, or enjoy.
AJ: Best advice you’d give your teenage self
TF: Follow your heart and pursue what you enjoy and are good at and do it to the best of your ability. You will need to trust that you will be successful when you do what you love.
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