David Okum founded his studio in 2011 to create purposeful furniture and objects that are engaging and designed with simplicity.
In 2013 Okum Made was created to make available objects that respect and understand the integrity of timeless materials and its great capabilities. Relying on craftsmanship, each piece is created in-house to make sure every detail feels right in your hands. Material exploration and purposeful functionality is the backbone of all of our products, and passing this small experience into your hands is our wish.
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David Okum learned to use his hands from his father who was a self-taught carpenter and learned to see from his mother who earned her degree in floral arts in Japan. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Okum’s earliest memories in design are of whittling sail boat from a fallen tree behind his house. In high school, Okum expressed his passion for design in graphics, where a restaurant menu he designed won first prize in a district wide graphic design competition. After high school, Okum attended UCLA majoring in philosophy. In his last year of studies, Okum made the decision to return his focus toward his true passion in art and design. He moved to New York to work on graphics and branding for the urban apparel label RocaWear. Awarded the Yves Behar Product Design Scholarship in addition to others, Okum returned to California to study product design at Art Center College of Design. During his academic studies in industrial design, Skue Table made its international debut at the Milan Furniture Fair and Aris Bench for Bernhardt Design was exhibited at ICFF 2011 and Neocon Chicago the same year.
