Furniture designer: Entry requirements

You would usually need a relevant degree, BTEC or HND in a furniture-related subject such as:

• furniture design;
• furniture studies;
• product and furniture design;
• furniture design and making.

Courses with a mix of practical skills and creative design may be particularly useful.

Other relevant degree subjects include:

• art and design, 3D design or spatial design;
• ceramics and glass;
• furniture technology;
• product design.

A portfolio of work is required for entry on to degree courses. This would also be used when applying for jobs.

A postgraduate qualification is not required for entry.

Entry without a degree may be possible through an apprenticeship or by starting work straight from school, as a trainee.

Entry is competitive so any related work experience is valuable. Some degree courses include a work placement. It is worth researching companies and making speculative applications to those that match your design style.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• creative and practical ability;
• drawing skills and strong visual awareness;
• manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination;
• an understanding of computer-aided design (CAD) and other technological advances;
• knowledge of industrial processes and techniques, safety issues and specialist fields or materials;
• communication skills;
• commercial focus;
• self-motivation, self-discipline and persistence;
• flexibility and adaptability;
• the ability to work to deadlines;
• teamworking ability - you may be required to work closely with other professionals, such as architects and interior designers, possibly in a multidisciplinary practice;
• a desire to keep up to date with market trends and new ideas;
• business and marketing skills, for those thinking of self-employment.

Furniture design is a competitive profession. On rare occasions a graduate may be offered work as a result of their furniture degree show, but it is usually necessary to be proactive in job searching. Network, sell yourself and your skills and seize any opportunities that arise. Start by thinking of the contacts you have made during your degree, particularly through work experience placements. It is also important to showcase your work in a professional-looking portfolio or website containing photographs, drawings and other design work.

Many employers consider potential to be just as important as experience, so it is essential that you demonstrate a working interest in the design field. Make sure that you regularly visit design exhibitions, read design journals and keep up to date with new software and technology in the sector.  It is also important to produce your own experimental work and enter competitions and shows to get your work noticed.

Design directories such as the Directory of Design Consultants  will help you identify design companies to target for speculative applications. Professional journals and the arts press, e.g. Design Week  and Crafts Magazine , can also be a good source of advertisements, as well as information on prominent designers and what is happening in the industry.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.