Furniture designer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• furniture and product design
• 3D design crafts
• interior design

Entry requirements:

• a foundation diploma in art and design
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could start by doing a college course like a Level 3 Diploma in Furniture Design and Making or a T Level in Craft and Design.

This would teach you some of the skills you'll need and could help you to get a job as a design assistant with a furniture making company.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into trainee or assistant designer roles through an advanced apprenticeship like:

• new furniture product developer
• fitted furniture design technician
• bespoke furniture maker

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• design skills and knowledge
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with your hands
• analytical thinking skills
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• persistence and determination
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to read English
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• active listening skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• operations analysis skills
• complex problem-solving skills
• maths skills
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Furniture designers create designs for mass-produced furniture, furniture made in small batches and one-off pieces.

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• carry out research to develop ideas
• work to a plan or 'brief' agreed with the client
• produce new designs or improve existing ones
• work out costs, practicality and availability of materials
• prepare sketches for ideas, by hand or using computer software
• test ideas using models, prototypes and computer aided design (CAD)
• work with manufacturers on the production process

Location : You could work in a creative studio, from home or in a workshop.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £38,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 42 hours variable

Working Pattern is freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

Career Path:

With experience, you could progress to a more senior design position, or into a specialised area, like ergonomics.

You could also set up your own design consultancy.