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Furniture designer

Alternative titles for this job include

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

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

How to become a furniture designer

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

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

College

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

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

You may need:

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

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could get into this career through a furniture design technician, bespoke furniture maker or furniture product developer advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

More Information

Career tips

You'll need to keep a portfolio of work to showcase your design skills to potential employers or customers.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Chartered Society of Designers to get access to professional development training, technical advice and information about setting up your own business.

Further information

You can get more advice about working in crafts and creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

  • carrying out research to develop ideas
  • working to a plan or 'brief' agreed with the client
  • producing new designs or improving existing ones
  • working out costs, practicality and availability of materials
  • preparing sketches for ideas, by hand or using computer software
  • testing ideas using models, prototypes and computer aided design (CAD)
  • working with manufacturers on the production process

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a furniture designer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Diploma Level 3 Furniture Design and Making

  • Provider: MOULTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2021
  • Location: Northampton

C&G 5780-30 L3 Dip Furniture Design and Making

  • Provider: BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 09 September 2021
  • Location: Bridgwater
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