A furniture designer is a craftsperson who creates items such as couches, tables, and chairs. Depending on the circumstances of the designer’s employment, he may solely design furniture or produce and sell his creations. Furniture design necessitates a high level of technical proficiency as well as an understanding of past and current furnishing trends. As a result, becoming a designer usually entails a combination of practical experience and fine arts education.
A furniture designer may be hired a large furniture or home goods manufacturer in some cases. Designers are frequently hired solely to create new designs, sometimes as part of a creative team. The designer’s plans for the pieces he creates are passed on to the company’s manufacturers. The pieces can then be produced in small batches or in bulk, depending on the size of the company.
For the furniture designer, this type of job has some advantages. He is not responsible for the cost of manufacturing supplies, for example, and he is not required to market his product. On the other hand, some designers may be stifled the need to adhere to their company’s design ethos, or they may dislike the element of compromise that comes with teamwork.
Furniture designers who want more control over their output may want to start their own business. He’ll be more likely to see his designs through from conception to sale here, sketching out a plan for each piece, building it, and then selling it. He could have a showroom where customers can see and buy his work, or he could only work on commission.
While self-employment provides a designer with a great deal of creative freedom, it also comes with a number of disadvantages. He is in charge of all supply and production costs, as well as employee wages and store space rental in some cases. He must market his own work in order to gain exposure and attract clients, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Every furniture designer must possess a diverse set of technical abilities, ranging from artisanal skills such as woodworking, cabinetry, and upholstery to mastery of computer-aided design software. Furthermore, knowing the history of furniture can help the designer put his work in context and build on previous designs. If he decides to work for himself, he may benefit from sales and marketing training. A potential designer can learn these skills enrolling in a furniture design program at an art college or university. He could also work as an apprentice for a well-known designer.