Furniture Design Courses: Top Colleges, Syllabus, Scope

The interiors of our homes make up a space for warmth and rest. Moreover, we take great initiative and care to set up our furniture in our unique ways. Just like an interior designer sets up a space of a home, you can turn your artistic abilities towards designing your furniture! Or you may go another way and become a skillful set designer with the knowledge and ability to make furniture! A Furniture Design Course is the way to go for you and your innovations. In this blog, you will learn about the furniture design courses you can pursue and the universities offering them. Furthermore, the application process to those universities and the career opportunities along with their average salaries. 

Field Name	Furniture Design
Level	Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Eligibility	High school in arts and humanities
Job Opportunities	Furniture Designer, Furniture Consultant, Set Designer, Furniture Manufacturer
Salary Average	$57,500

What is Furniture Design?

The world of furniture design is a specific field within the wider category of industrial design that focuses on creating and conceptualising furniture. In addition, the design process applies to developing functional and aesthetic solutions for different types of furniture, like chairs, tables, sofas, beds, and storage units. Furniture designers consider both form and function, thus aiming to create pieces that are not only visually appealing but also practical and comfortable for people to use.

The key aspects of furniture design are as follows:

• Functionality: Designers need to consider the intended use of the furniture and ensure that it meets the functional requirements. This applies to understanding the usability and how people will interact with the designed furniture.

• Aesthetics: The visual appeal of furniture is a necessary factor to keep in mind whilst designing furniture. However, designers work with materials, colours, and shapes to create a harmonious and pleasing look. The aesthetics take into consideration design trends, cultural influences, and the overall style of the intended space.

• Materials: Additionally, furniture designers have to choose appropriate materials based on factors such as durability, sustainability, cost, as well as aesthetics. The choice of materials can greatly impact the final design and the overall quality of the furniture.

• Technology and Innovation: There are advances in technology and manufacturing processes that influence furniture design. Furthermore, designers may incorporate new materials, production methods, or technologies to create innovative and unique furniture.

• Environmental Sustainability: Many furniture designers are incorporating sustainable practices into their work. This includes using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and designing products that have a minimal impact on our environment.

Also Read: Product Design

Skills Required for a Furniture Design Course

These are the following skills required for a Furniture Design Course:

1. Creativity
2. Drawing and Sketching
3. 3D Modeling
4. Understanding Materials
5. Technical Knowledge
6. Prototyping and Model Making
7. Problem-Solving
8. Communication Skills
9. Research Skills
10. Understanding User Needs

Popular Furniture Design Courses

These are the popular Furniture Design courses: 

Bachelors

• Associate Degree in Design (Furniture Design) 
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Furniture Design
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Furniture and Product Design
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Product and Furniture Design
• Bachelor of Science in Furniture Design, Making and Technology
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Furniture Making and Architectural Woodworking
• Honours Bachelor of Craft and Design (Furniture)

Masters

• Master of Arts in Furniture Design
• Master of Arts in Product and Furniture Design 
• Master of Arts in Design: Products and Furniture 
• Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts in Furniture Design
• Master of Fine Arts in Furniture Design 

Also Read: Industrial Design Course

Top Colleges for a Furniture Design Course Abroad

These are the top colleges for a Furniture Design Course abroad: 

Institute	QS World University Ranking	Furniture Design Course Offered
Indiana University, USA	140	Associate Degree in Design (Furniture Design)
Nottingham Trent University, UK	313	Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Product and Furniture Design, Master of Arts in Furniture Design
Kingston University London, UK	595	Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Product and Furniture Design, Master of Arts in Product and Furniture Design
De Montford University, UK	601-610	RMIT University, Australia
London Metropolitan University, UK	801-850	Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Product and Furniture Design
Rochester Institute of Technology, USA	901-950	Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Product and Furniture Design,Master of Arts in Furniture Design
Indian University- Purdue University Indianapolis, USA	951-1000	Bachelor of Fine Arts in Furniture Design, Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts in Furniture Design
Birmingham City University, UK	1001-1200	Bachelor of Fine Arts in Furniture Design, Master of Fine Arts in Furniture Design
Rhode Island School of Design, USA	1001-1200	Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Product and Furniture Design
Sheridan College, Canada	NA	Bachelor of Fine Arts in Furniture Design, Master of Fine Arts in Furniture Design
Bachelor of Science in Furniture Design, Making and Technology, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Furniture Making and Architectural Woodworking	NA	Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Product and Furniture Design
University of the Creative Arts, UK	NA	Honours Bachelor of Craft and Design (Furniture)
Atlantic Technological University, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland	NA	Bachelor of Science in Furniture Design, Making and Technology,Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Furniture Making and Architectural Woodworking

Furniture Design Syllabus 

This is the brief syllabus for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Furniture Design from Indiana University, USA:

Year 1 

Fall Term

• Drawing 1 
• Two-Dimensional Design
• Three-Dimensional Design
• First Year Seminar
• History of Art 1
• Writing Competency

Spring Term 

• Drawing 2 
• Studio Art & Technology 
• Image & 4D Studio
• Building & Making
• History of Art 2 
• Analytical Reasoning (Math)
• Complete Foundation Program

Year 2 

Fall Term

• Furniture Design 1 
• Introduction to Contemporary Art
• Professional Practice in Visual Arts 1
• Limited Studio Elective
• Limited Studio Elective
• Studio Elective
• Speaking & Listening Competency

Spring Term

• Furniture Design 2 
• Art History Elective
• Studio Elective
• Studio Elective
• Literature Requirement

Year 3 

Fall Term

• Furniture Design 3 
• Furniture Design 3
• Professional Practice in Visual Arts 2
• Studio Elective
• Gen Ed Analytical Reasoning
• Gen Ed Cultural Understanding Competency

Spring Term

• Furniture Design 4 
• Furniture Design 4
• Studio Elective
• Studio Elective
• Gen Ed Life & Physical Sciences Competency

Year 4 

Fall Term

• Furniture Design 5
• Furniture Design 5
• Studio Elective
• Art History Elective
• Gen Ed Social Sciences Competency

Spring Term

• Furniture Design 6 (Capstone)
• Furniture Design 6 (Capstone)
• Studio Elective
• Open Elective 
• Gen Ed Life & Physical Sciences Competency
• Senior Thesis Requirement

Also Read: Applied Arts Courses

Admission Process for Furniture Design Abroad

The admission process for a Furniture Design Course abroad depends on the university, country, and specific course of study. However, certain aspects are compulsory such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation as well as proficiency in the English language through recognized tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, etc.

Eligibility

Furniture Design Courses include mostly practical and theoretical experiences. You will need to fulfill this eligibility: 

• High school education in Art and Science. 
• A Portfolio with previous work experience. 
• Entrance Examinations or Aptitude Tests like GMAT, GRE, ACT, and SAT according to the university. 
• English Language Proficiency Examinations like IELTS or TOEFL, Duolingo, and PTE. 

Also Read: TOEFL vs IELTS vs PTE

Documents Required

This is the list of documents that are needed for the admission process to study abroad:

• Academic Transcripts and Certifications
• Statement of Purpose(SOP)/Essay
• Letter/s of Recommendation(LOR)
• Application Form
• Visa
• Resume/CV
• Passport
• Portfolio 

Also Read: Life and Studying Tips That Every Student Must Know

Career Scope with Average Salaries

After you complete a Furniture Design Course. Here are some of the jobs along with their salaries that you may consider:

Furniture Design Job	Average Salary per year (Glassdoor)
Furniture Designer	$60,000
Furniture Consultant	$70,000
Set Designer	$55,000
Furniture Manufacturer	$45,000

Top Recruiters

Here are some of the top industry recruiters after your Furniture Design Course after 12th: 

• Furniture Manufacturers
• Interior Design Firms
• Architectural Firms
• Custom Furniture Studios
• Retailers and Home Goods Stores
• E-commerce Platforms
• Event and Exhibition Design Companies
• Furniture Restoration and Refinishing Shops
• Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design Companies
• Freelance and Entrepreneurship
• Educational Institutions

FAQs

Lastly, I hope that you have found the necessary information that you have been looking for related to Furniture Design Courses. If this blog is helpful and you want to begin your journey, you can contact us at Leverage Edu and our mentors would be happy to guide you through the process and also help you understand the field of your choosing.