The Bachelor of Environmental Design (Furniture Design) is a three-year full time course that prepares graduates for professional practice in the furniture and broader design industry. The focus in design is human centered or user need based. Understanding the ‘why’ behind an object enables us as designers to push the boundaries in design and make appropriate use of materials. Sustainable design practices and the value adding of materials, identity and craftsmanship are intrinsic to the values of this course. Students are encouraged to develop a professional approach to design and manufacture while nurturing their own distinctive styles. Students will explore traditional and contemporary methods of craftsmanship and the relationship between form and function. There are many facets to furniture design and object making. This course takes advantage of the immediate creative and interdisciplinary riches that exist within the School of Architecture and Design environment through collaboration and joint investigations. The exposure to other design disciplines such as Architecture, Interior design and Landscape Architecture are one of the many unique advantages this course has to offer.
In addition to the bachelor degree we offer an Associate Degree in Furniture Design. This is a two-year full time course that gives graduates a solid foundation in the design and fabrication of furniture and object. This course was previously offered at the Australian School of Fine Furniture that used to be a separate entity. It is now part of the UTAS School of Architecture & Design. Hand skills are very important in the Associate Degree and are taught across a number of units covering essential hand tool usage and maintenance, alongside drawing conventions and presentation skills. Students will be given advanced joinery and machining instruction and develop design thinking through the testing of various methodologies and research strategies.
This course encourages and fully supports experimentation with materials. Thermoformed corian objects, slip-cast porcelain lights, laminated timber chairs, concrete shelving, carbon fibre tables and textile lights are just a few of the materials put under investigation by our students. We have a strong focus on design development and prototyping of design concepts all the way through to production. Students are also encouraged to consider appropriate markets for their products and develop marketing and logistics strategies.
In this course, you make it happen. A blend of traditional and contemporary skills and processes are taught giving you the best of both worlds. Hand tools and craftsmanship is taught in parallel with computing and CNC machine operation and manufacturing.The opportunity for integration with other design disciplines is paramount in our School; this is aimed at replicating real-life practice, but it also provides design students with a variety of design ‘languages’, a broadened design sensibility and an increased empathy for other design disciplines.
The School is committed to a future in which social responsibility, health and wellbeing and environmental sustainability are key elements in furniture design. Sustainability is embedded as a core component throughout our curriculum. Consideration on the end user is our strongest design ethos, because in thinking about the end user you are thinking about the future and how your design will impact our future lives.
The Furniture Design program is open to graduates from design courses such as Interior Design, undergraduate Architecture, Industrial Design and Graphic design. If you are considering taking a little time out or want to improve your design skills, experiment with materials and develop a greater understanding and knowledge bank, you are encouraged to apply for credit into our degree program. Please email the Program Director directly at Simon.Ancher@utas.edu.au for further information.
Graduates from this course will have many opportunities to demonstrate their unique creative skills and design thinking. Students are encouraged to look within the furniture industry and beyond, as there are some amazing opportunities. Recently graduates have established their private practices as furniture designers/makers; a workshop manager; partner in a multidisciplinary design team; interior design consultancy; working within an architectural practice; public art commissions; product design commissions or as designers for related disciplines such as theatre design.
The Furniture Design course structure aims to take advantage of the immediate creative and interdisciplinary riches that exist in within the School of Architecture and Design. Furniture students are exposed to design on a variety of scales and environments and learn the progressive development of, skills, knowledge, observation and understanding over three years:
A two-year Associate Degree in Furniture Design is also available to interested students.
Equips students with the skills and knowledge required to design, fabricate, finish and present three-dimensional objects, i.e. models and marquettes. This allows students to develop individual approaches to the design and production of various pieces of furniture from one‑off exhibition pieces to multiple production items.
Introduces freehand and measured drawing techniques, Computer Aided Design (CAD), two and three dimensional drawing conventions, illustration techniques for design presentation, model making and written and verbal presentation skills.
Investigates the history and theory of western design, the study of design in society, the development of design in Australia and aspects of Asian architecture. Also examines 20th century and contemporary interior and furniture design internationally. The philosophy behind the work is explored and the design theory and production processes in use are analysed.
Provides students with the skills and knowledge required to produce timber products through the safe use and maintenance of hand tools, workshop machinery and new technologies. It also introduces students to CAD technologies and production capabilities.
Allows students to develop a professional portfolio and identity to attract future employers/clients. Students develop awareness of and ability to engage with the design industry while analysing design-related industries and markets. Students will conduct market research to test the feasibility of ideas, establish a sustainable market position and develop branding material to support their major projects.
Opportunities for students to explore other areas of design, including architecture, interior design and landscape architecture. Students may take up to two electives from another School in the University.
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