Furniture designer

A Furniture Designer is a creative professional who develops innovative, functional, and aesthetically pleasing furniture pieces for residential, commercial, or industrial use. They blend artistry with practicality, considering form, materials, ergonomics, and functionality in their designs. Furniture Designers play a key role in shaping interiors by creating pieces that fulfill specific needs while enhancing the visual appeal of spaces. They work with a variety of materials, including wood, metal, glass, and upholstery, often collaborating with manufacturers, interior designers, and clients to bring their concepts to life.

The following job titles also refer to furniture designer:

furniture craftswoman
furniture design advisor
furniture artist
furniture planner & designer
product designer, furniture
furniture designer and maker
hand-made furniture builder
furniture craftsman
furniture technologist
furniture designers
furniture technician
hand-made furniture maker
furniture planner and designer
interior and furniture designer
furniture & interior designer
furniture designer and planner
furniture designer & planner
furniture planner
interior FF&E designer
furniture maker
furniture builder
furniture designer & maker
interior & furniture designer
furniture design specialist
furniture design consultant
FF&E designer
furniture design expert
furniture, fixments, and equipment designer
hand-made furniture designer
furniture and interior designer

Furniture Designers typically work in design studios, corporate offices, or workshops where they have access to tools, software, and materials. They may travel to meet clients, visit suppliers, or oversee manufacturing processes at production facilities. Designers spend time sketching, using CAD software, and working hands-on with materials for prototyping. Work hours are generally regular, though tight deadlines, especially before trade shows or project completions, may require additional hours. Freelance designers often have more flexible schedules, adapting to client needs and project timelines.

Most Furniture Designers have a bachelor’s degree in furniture design, industrial design, or interior design. They develop essential skills in drafting, materials, and construction techniques through formal education and practical experience. Proficiency in CAD software, an understanding of ergonomics, and knowledge of furniture manufacturing processes are important. Many start with internships or entry-level positions to build portfolios and gain industry exposure. A strong portfolio that showcases creativity, technical ability, and understanding of design trends is essential for career advancement. Staying updated on sustainability practices and material innovations is also valuable in this evolving industry.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Furniture designer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to furniture designer.

fashion designer
digital artist
artistic painter
conceptual artist
video artist

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of furniture designer.

• Art history: The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.

These skills are necessary for the role of furniture designer.

• Monitor sociological trends: Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.
• Monitor textile manufacturing developments: Keep up to date with recent developments in textile manufacturing and processing techniques and technologies.
• Attend design meetings: Attend meetings to discuss the status of current projects and to be briefed on new projects.
• Adapt to new design materials: Without neglecting more traditional techniques and materials, monitor materials innovation such as new resin, plastic, paints, metals, etc. Develop ability to use them and include them in design projects.
• Monitor art scene developments: Monitor artistic events, trends, and other developments. Read recent art publications in order to develop ideas and to keep in touch with relevant art world activities.
• Monitor exhibition designs: Travel to galleries and museums to study displays and exhibitions.
• Design original furniture: Master and develop industrial aesthetics through the ongoing research of new shapes, adapted to the function of the objects the research deals with (domestic objects, urban furnitures, etc.).
• Transfer designs: Transfer designs into specific materials.
• Present detailed design proposals: Prepare and present detailed design suggestions for a specific production to a mixed group of people, including technical, artistic and management staff.
• Consult with design team: Discuss the project and design concepts with the design team, finalise proposals and present these to stakeholders.
• Gather reference materials for artwork: Gather samples of the materials you expect to use in the creation process, especially if the desired piece of art necessitates the intervention of qualified workers or specific production processes.
• Develop design concept: Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of furniture designer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Design props: Draw prop sketches and define prop materials and building methods
• Use specialised design software: Develop new designs by mastering specialised software.
• Collaborate with a technical staff in artistic productions: Coordinate the artistic activities with others who are specialised in the technical side of the project. Inform the technical staff of the plans and methods suggested and obtain feedback on feasibility, cost, procedures and other relevant information. Be able to understand the vocabulary and practices concerning technical issues.
• Design materials for multimedia campaigns: Draft and develop materials to be produced for a multimedia campaign, keeping in mind budgeting, scheduling and production.
• Build props: Build props from a variety of materials, working with the design staff to create the appropriate prop for the production.

2163 – Product and garment designers

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References

1. Furniture designer – ESCO
2. Featured image: By Gisle Hannemyr – Uploaded by author, CC BY-SA 2.5