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Furniture designer: Entry requirements

The routes into furniture making are through an apprenticeship; by starting work straight from school, as a trainee; or by doing a full-time college or university course such as:

a BTEC/HND in a subject such as furniture design, furniture studies or furniture design and making;
a BA in Furniture Design.

Other relevant degree subjects:

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

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

creative and practical ability;
drawing skills;
manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination;
good communication skills;
strong visual awareness;
commercial focus;
self-discipline and persistence;
teamworking ability - you may be required to work closely with other professionals, such as architects and interior designers, possibly in a multidisciplinary practice;
knowledge of industrial processes and techniques, and specialist fields or materials;
an understanding of computer-aided design (CAD) and other technological advances.

The design industry offers exciting projects and work environments and the chance for your work to stand out and be recognised, but this is a very competitive profession. A few graduates/Diplomates are lucky enough to be offered work following their degree shows, but this is not common. You will need to know where to look and how to sell yourself, and have the ability to network and seize opportunities. A good starting point is thinking of the contacts you have made during your course of study, 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 useful to demonstrate a working interest in the design field from an early stage. Applicants to the industry should be regular visitors to design exhibitions, keen readers of design journals, and prolific producers of their own experimental work, and should also stay aware of new software and technology in the sector.

If you intend to become self-employed, you can develop practical skills such as upholstery and carpentry through a wide range of courses offered by local colleges. Design directories will help you identify design companies to target. Professional journals and the arts press, e.g. Design Week and Crafts, can also be a good source of advertisements, as well as information on prominent designers and what is happening in the industry.

It is illegal for employers to discriminate against candidates on the grounds of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation or religious faith. With regard to age, mature entry into design companies as a junior is not the norm, although self-employment offers opportunities if you are a later entrant to furniture design. Entry on the craft side is much less restrictive as this is often pursued through the freelance route. For more information on equality and diversity in the job market and how to handle discrimination see Handling Discrimination.

For more information see work experience and find courses and research.

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