March 2025 | VOL 14
RESIN & RESOLVE:
How Tina Frey Turned Passion into Design
words Sibel İpek
Tina Frey is a truly inspiring designer and entrepreneur, known for her unique minimalist style and innovative use of materials. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada, she initially ventured into the world of finance, working with big names like Ernst & Young and Christian Dior. But her heart was always drawn to art and design, prompting her to make a bold career shift. That's when she founded Tina Frey Designs, focusing on beautiful, resin-based home décor items like bowls, lamps, and vases. Tina has become a global sensation with her elegant, hand-sculpted pieces that seamlessly blend functionality and artistry. Drawing inspiration from nature, her travels, and everyday moments, her work embodies a timeless simplicity with clean lines and organic shapes.
Tina’s dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship has garnered her a devoted following, solidifying her as a key player in modern home décor and design. Now splitting her time between San Francisco and Montecito, she continues to expand her product lines and push the boundaries of her creativity.
Tina shares her inspiration, the challenges she’s faced as an entrepreneur, and the future of her brand in an ever-evolving design landscape with the Yuzu community.
IT IS FUNNY THAT I PURSUED FINANCE AS A CAREER BECAUSE I GUESS I KNEW FROM A YOUNG AGE THAT CREATIVITY AND MAKING ART WAS MY TRUE PASSION
How did you first realize that art, especially working with resin, was your true passion, despite your background in finance?
It is funny that I pursued finance as a career because I guess I knew from a young age that creativity and making art was my true passion. It was always so enjoyable and second nature to me that it never occurred that this could also be a profession. I was raised in an environment where having a career meant focusing on security rather than following your heart. I chose resin as a material of focus since I loved the versatile qualities of the material, how it can mimic glass, porcelain, stone or clay.
What challenges did you face in transitioning from a stable corporate career to starting your own design studio?
When I made the transition, I remember removing my finance and business minded hat and focused on creating something I was excited about that came from my heart. I didn’t have a business plan or a clear idea of my audience; I simply wanted to create and share my work. At my first exhibition, I was completely unprepared—I didn’t even have line sheets or an order pad. It wasn't until someone asked how to order that I realized this was a potential business and that people actually like my creations. I learned everything on the go and was still consulting in my finance career when I first started the company. I worked crazy hours to get it off the ground and every penny from my finance career was put into growing my business. I am glad I didn't know how much work and how hard it would be at times since it was good to delve in without fear or questioning of whether I was doing the right thing or not.
How did your former career in finance help you build Tina Frey Designs?
Having the former career definitely had its benefits since I knew the business side instinctively, so I was able to focus on the creative things while the business side sort of ran on autopilot. I was also very fortunate to have the income from financial consulting to fund the growth of my business.
Can you tell us about the moment or experience that pushed you to finally make the leap into a full-time art career? Was there ever a time when you doubted your decision to leave finance for design, and how did you overcome that?
When I started my company, I was still consulting in finance four days a week. As the business was growing, I started reducing my consulting hours to 3 days, then 2 days, then 1 day, then no days! I remember when it struck me that the safety net of my old career was ending and that I would be supporting the growth of my company through its own cash flow. Even though the company was growing, it was still a mental hurdle to know that the old career was not behind me. I also knew that I did not want to go back to my old life and there was never a doubt. That's not to say that there have not been challenging times in the last 17 years of my company. There was a time about 7 years ago when I was a bit burned out and so overworked that I had to adjust my way of working and my life balance. Once I did that, I regained my focus and excitement for creativity.
I LOVE SIMPLICITY AND MINIMAL DESIGN
Your designs often have a minimalist and organic aesthetic. How do you balance simplicity with functionality in your pieces?
Thanks for the kind words about my work! I love simplicity and minimal design. However, I also appreciate the human element that makes each piece more personal. I like the idea of sculpting in clay first because you can see and appreciate the indentations left on the fingers that remain part of the final design. There is also an imperfection in the pieces that is uneven and natural, and there is a beauty in that imperfection that makes it human.
How do the environments you live in, such as San Francisco and Montecito, inspire your color choices and design forms?
I am definitely inspired by my surroundings. I’ve always loved travel, fashion, and design. When I see these things and think of interiors, I see how something could look amazing in a space. This can influence the color combinations of the collection. The shapes are often influenced by nature. I love how there is a softness that results from the elements. Imagine driftwood softened by the ocean and sand.
You've created a wide variety of products, from tableware to lamps. How do you decide what to design next and what drives your creativity?
I haven't run out of ideas yet—in fact, I have more ideas than I can execute for each season or collection. It’s actually more challenging to resist creating too many things at once!
ONE OF THE REASONS I LOVE RESIN IS THAT IT’S MORE DURABLE THAN GLASS OR PORCELAIN, YET THE FINAL FORMS CAN BE UNEXPECTED
What is the story behind your Mushroom Lamp and the large collection of vases? How does necessity influence your designs?
I love useful objects. Perhaps it's the practical side of me from my finance background that makes me feel that creating something functional justifies its purpose. However, I’ve come to appreciate the value of making something simply for its form and beauty, even if it serves no function. There’s something to be said for the intrinsic value of beauty.
Your pieces have been described as looking like sea glass or porcelain. How do you achieve such different textures with resin?
One of the reasons I love resin is that it’s more durable than glass or porcelain, yet the final forms can be unexpected. There are shapes and effects you can achieve with resin that aren’t possible with traditional materials, which makes it so fascinating to work with. I also prefer a soft, sanded finish in my designs, as it highlights the handmade aspect without any visible seams.
What emotions or experiences do you hope people will have when they interact with your designs?
I want people to feel the love and intention behind each piece. I believe in energy, and even if we can’t see it, I know it exists. When I create a piece, it truly comes from my heart, and I hope to share that positive energy with the world.
You often mention travel as a source of inspiration. Can you share how a particular destination influenced a recent design?
I was in Copenhagen recently to visit 3DD. The Scandinavians have a very beautiful aesthetic that really resonates with me. There is a clean minimalism that fits very well with my designs. Even the colors have a cool feel to them that has definitely influenced my collections in the past.
Is there a particular piece you've created that holds special meaning for you, and why?
This is a tough question since so many pieces hold special significance. Each was created during a specific period in my life, influenced by different experiences along the way. It’s a journey akin to life itself, making it hard to pinpoint one particular moment as everyone is special in its own right.
