Furniture Designers

To investigate your interest in designing furniture, try to design a chair, bookcase, or a table. Make rough sketches. If you haven't had any exposure to technical drawing, find a book that describes drafting techniques and buy or borrow the basic tools (vellum, drafting pencils, architect's scale)—or use a computer-aided design program to create your design. Try to make a detailed drawing to scale.

After completing your sketch, try building it. Make arrangements with a shop instructor to use the tools at your school. You may have to find the materials yourself. Find out how well your design builds, holds together, and functions.

Get in the habit of looking at manufactured objects. Anything that is built began with a design. Look at pieces as a whole and at the details, and decide what you like or dislike about the design.

Visit local companies that manufacture and/or design furniture. You may be able to work part-time or as a volunteer in exchange for learning about the furniture business.