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Furniture Design

Bachelor’s Program

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BFA | 4-year program

Undergraduates in Furniture Design embark on a course of study encompassing theory, skills, context, research and professional practices. Drawing from a rich tradition, they are encouraged to experiment and work with a wide range of emerging materials and technologies, developing individual voices through the process of making. The program emphasizes the principles and practice of furniture design as well as the social value of art, design and responsible citizenship.

Learning outcomes

Graduates are prepared to:

  • conceive of and develop a body of self-directed work comprised of highly resolved, full-scale furniture and objects
  • effectively use drawing, writing, reading and the making of objects in parallel to explore and articulate original design concepts
  • demonstrate competency in handling a variety of materials and processes by taking a project from concept to finished object
  • apply a unique and adaptable design process to a variety of contexts and problems such as form, materials research, fabrication and use
  • articulate an informed point of view related to the fundamental issues of the discipline of furniture design


Inspiring community

Approximately 75 undergraduates in Furniture Design work in close proximity with a dozen or more graduate students, sharing respect and support for each other's work. As practicing professionals, faculty mentors are also fully engaged with the development of each student's work, offering constructive feedback and advice as skill levels advance and students become increasingly more fluent in expressing their ideas through the medium of furniture and related 3D objects.

Learning environment

In addition to working in the wood shop and other dedicated studio spaces on campus, Furniture Design majors are often invited to present work at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York and the Salone Internazionale del Mobile (International Furniture Fair) in Milan, Italy. These opportunities offer an invaluable introduction to the industry, along with exposure to some of the best furniture designers in the world. Furniture Design majors also have opportunities to create original designs for studio partners beyond the realm of furniture manufacturers, with recent projects completed for Swarovski crystals and Steinway pianos, among others.

Curriculum

In beginning the program, sophomores learn to achieve technical competency with a range of materials and their applications, and to develop design processes for evolving concepts through both models and built pieces. Juniors are encouraged to experiment in the course of researching new materials and technologies, various types of furniture and other 3D objects, and issues relating to the human factors of design.

Foundation-year

Fall
Drawing I
Design I
Spatial Dynamics I
First-year Literature Seminar
Theory & History of Art & Design I
Wintersession
Non-major studio elective
Spring
Drawing II
Design II
Spatial Dynamics II
Topics in History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences
Theory & History of Art & Design II

Sophomore

Fall
Sophomore Design Methods
Drawing Furniture 2D
Open elective
Liberal Arts elective
Wintersession
Non-major studio elective
Spring
Sophomore Design/Practice
Drawing Furniture 3D
History of Furniture
Open elective

Junior

Fall
Design + Process or Form in Metals
Research elective
Open electives
Wintersession
Non-major studio elective
Spring
Design + Process or Form in Metals
Open electives

Senior

Fall
Advanced Furniture Studio
Professional Practice/Portfolio
Open elective
Wintersession
Non-major studio elective
Spring
Studio Degree Project
Open electives

Thesis project

In the final year, seniors focus on professional practices and create a final body of work that demonstrates a high level of understanding of the principles of furniture design while simultaneously expressing their own vision and aesthetic strengths.

Application requirements

  1. Common Application

    You’ll begin and manage your RISD application process by completing the Common Application. There is a non-refundable application fee of $60 to use this service; eligible students may apply for a fee waiver.

  2. Academic transcripts

    Applicants must provide official transcripts of all secondary academic work through the most recent grading period. Your counselor may submit your transcript through the Common Application, Parchment, email or mail. If your academic credentials are not written in English, they must be translated into English by an approved translator prior to submission.

  3. Tests

    SAT or ACT

    All applicants are required to submit the results of the SAT or the ACT (American College Testing program). RISD will superscore your results. Subject tests are not required.

    RISD’s institution code number for the SAT is 3726; for ACT the code number is 003812.

    English language proficiency tests

    All applicants who speak English as a second language, including US citizens, must submit results from any one of these three options: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or Duolingo (an online English test). Since proficiency in English is a prerequisite for acceptance, applicants must attain an acceptable score on their chosen test; RISD requires a minimum result of 93 on the TOEFL, a 6.5 on IELTS or a 63 on Duolingo.

    Plan to take the TOEFL or IELTS well in advance of the application deadline since it may take three weeks for your scores to be sent to RISD by the test agency. Duolingo test results may take up to four days to be received by RISD.

    The language test requirement may be waived for applicants who have studied in an institution where English is the language of instruction. You must contact the Admissions Office to explain your school history and determine if you are eligible.

  4. Portfolio

    You will upload your portfolio in SlideRoom through the Common Application.

    Your portfolio should present 12–20 examples of your most recent work that showcases your thinking and making. The work should reflect a full range of your ideas, interests, experiences and abilities in the arts. This can include work in any medium, in finished or sketch form, and can be the result of an assigned project or a self-directed exploration.

    We recommend that you include some developmental research and/or preparatory work for one of your submissions. It is helpful to show your process of thinking and investigation so we can see how you develop your ideas. A sketchbook or journal page may be an appropriate way to share your process. Consider also including the finished piece and preparatory work(s) in a single image. There is an area in SlideRoom where you can include brief text descriptions for your submissions.

    We strongly discourage the submission of works in PDF format that include multiple pages, especially when there are numerous elements on a single page. These are difficult for reviewers to view and assess and are likely to exceed the allowed limit of 20 work examples.

  5. The Assignment

    Choose one of the following three prompt options and create two responses using any medium (no restrictions).

    • error
    • verify
    • forge

    Each of these prompts has more than one meaning or usage. You might want to begin by referring to dictionary sources to expand your initial reaction and inform your direction. We consider this assignment to be as much about process as presentation. We encourage you to consider your submissions as exercises in experimental thinking and risk-taking more than final presentations or examples of technical proficiency. No mode of expression is valued more than another, so feel free to explore the full range of possibilities.

    Upload your responses in the specific section of SlideRoom dedicated to these works. Do not include them in the Portfolio area of SlideRoom.

    If the file size of either response exceeds 10MB, embed a link to direct us to another viewing platform such as a personal website, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

    Along with these works, reflect on the two responses you are sharing and provide a brief, written response to this question: What are the other directions or ideas you would explore as a next step?

  6. Writing sample

    Submit one example of your writing, up to 650 words. Remember, this is the limit, not a goal. Use the full limit if you need it, but don’t feel obligated to do so.

    You will find the writing prompts in the Personal Essay section of the Common Application.

    While we encourage you to adhere to the rules of good writing, we look for applicants who are not afraid to take risks in their expression. Please don't hesitate to use a writing style or method that may be outside the mainstream as you express a distinctive personal position in the samples you submit.

  7. Letter(s) of recommendation

    Although not required, these letters can be very helpful to your application. One letter is suggested, although as many as three may be submitted. Recommendation letters should be written by teachers or other professionals who have firsthand knowledge of your art or academic achievements and can comment on your potential as a student.

    Please use the Common Application to invite your recommendation writers to submit letters through that service. Letters may also be sent directly to our mailing address (see below) or emailed to [email protected].