Furniture Designer

Typical Salary

£18,000 To £40,000

Typical Hours

40 to 42 variable

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How To Become a Furniture Designer

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship

College / University

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

furniture and product design
3D design crafts
interior design

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 equiva

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

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

Apprenticeship

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

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

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

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

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 & 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.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & 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.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.