Profession furniture designer

Furniture designers work on items of furniture and related products. They design the product and are involved in its production as craftsmen and designers or makers. The conception of furniture combines innovative design, functional requirements and aesthetic appeal.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Art history

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

Skills

• 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.

• Monitor textile manufacturing developments

  Keep up to date with recent developments in textile manufacturing and processing techniques and technologies.

• 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.

• 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.

• Consult with design team

  Discuss the project and design concepts with the design team, finalise proposals and present these to stakeholders.

• Attend design meetings

  Attend meetings to discuss the status of current projects and to be briefed on new projects.

• 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.

• Monitor sociological trends

  Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.

• Transfer designs

  Transfer designs into specific materials.

• Design original furniture

  Master and develop industrial aesthetics through ongoing research of new shapes, adapted to the function of the objects the research deals with (domestic objects, urban furnitures, etc.).

• Monitor exhibition designs

  Travel to galleries and museums to study displays and exhibitions.

• 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.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB