Are you looking to work in the field of design? In RMIT’s award-winning furniture design degree you’ll learn to develop creative and original furniture designs with a strong grounding in design methods, manufacturing technologies and processes informed by cultural and social factors.

Combine real-life industry projects and design theory with a hands-on focus on production to create sustainable contemporary modern furniture products.

This degree allows you to use a combination of manual skills and machine technologies in the product development and construction of contemporary furniture products. You’ll gain a higher level of critical and conceptual thinking skills and develop ideas that will address issues within today’s society, including sustainable approaches to design and manufacturing.

With hands-on design-focused learning and an emphasis on production and craft knowledge, this degree offers a blend of topics that will enable you to design modern furniture. You’ll have the opportunity to compete in local and international design competitions such as London Design Week, Fringe Furniture, The Edge (Sydney) and the Australian International Furniture Fair.

You will gain the skills to explore design through real-world industry projects with companies such as Moran Furniture and Schiavello. The degree teaches you to investigate contemporary, cultural and environmental aspects of professional furniture design practice.

You’ll connect with Australian and international industry mentors such as Marc Pascal and Adam Cornish. These mentors will work with you to provide feedback on the commercial viability of your design work.

This is a hands-on degree where you will explore design solutions, taking into consideration aesthetics, technology, ergonomics, usability, stress analysis, sustainability and materials engineering, marketing and lean manufacturing.

You will develop freehand and computer-aided drawings and illustrations and develop your skills in everything from 3D ideas generation to prototypes that demonstrate and test furniture.

Career Outcomes

Furniture designers generally work on a freelance basis as independent designer/makers. You may also find work with furniture manufacturers, interior design consultancies or large retail chains.

Your work activities may include:

• liaising with clients and managing design projects
• drawing designs by hand or using computer aided design (CAD) software
• building full-size samples
• exploring and experimenting with different materials and unusual furniture-making methods
• researching new trends and classic styles to inspire and influence your designs

You may also contribute your expertise to other related professions, such as set design for theatre companies or displays for galleries and museums.

Careers

Upon graduation you will be able to design your career future, working for major production companies or as an independent designer in the global furniture industry in roles such as:

• designer
• production manager
• buyer
• retail specialist
• account managers

Professional recognition and accreditation

You will be eligible to join the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) as a student member while studying. Graduates can apply for associate membership and full membership once you have obtained your professional experience.

Please note: eligibility for full membership is based on a points system.