Furniture Designers

Employers

Some of the largest and most established employers of furniture designers in this country are located in the Midwest. Steelcase is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Herman Miller is in Zeeland, Michigan; and Knoll is in East Greenville, Pennsylvania. These companies tend to be selective, so you'll probably need a bachelor's degree in design, a few years of experience, and a professional portfolio to get an interview.

There are many smaller companies in cities throughout the United States that design and manufacture their own lines of furniture. They are more likely to hire designers who can perform other functions as well, such as marketing or production.

Industrial design (ID) firms hire people with backgrounds in furniture design. Furniture manufacturers that are too small to have their own design departments sometimes contract ID firms to create concepts for them. The reverse is true as well; large design firms may create designs and contract builders who have the specific facilities and expertise.

Many furniture designers work on a freelance basis. Some develop their own designs and try to sell them to manufacturers, while others are hired by manufacturers to develop designs according to their needs.

Starting Out

Probably the most difficult way to get work in this field is to cold call a firm or a company. If you don't have contacts, check with furniture design associations, as they often publish job listings at their Web sites.

If you complete a four-year program in furniture design, your instructors and professors will likely be able to put you in touch with numerous professional contacts. Some internships can lead to full-time positions upon graduation.

Some designers start out as woodworkers or craftworkers. After working in a cabinet or furniture shop for a few years, you may wish to start your own custom furniture business.