Furniture design / maker

Course aim

On the longer 40 week furniture making course students cover all aspects to the same standard as the 12 week course (e.g. furniture making accuracy and hand skills) but will also construct pieces of fine furniture to their own design and cover more advanced techniques. Running a furniture making business, marketing, etc. can be also be covered.

Suggested 40 week course syllabus

• Hand tool selection - new, old, tuning & sharpening
• Use of hand tools and accurate measuring
• Glues - different types, strength comparison and correct uses, PVA, animal, epoxy, urea-formaldehyde, contact, superglues, tinting glue lines, adhesive tapes
• Abrasives - different types and correct use
• Machinery - maintenance, identification, applications
• Health & Safety
• Hand power tools - routers, router tables, biscuit jointers, domino jointers, sander, drills
• Joints - cutting, assembly, identification, construction
• Templates
• Jigs and small batch runs
• Drawing sketching, working drawings, rods, CAD
• Cutting lists
• Ordering timber - costing & estimating waste
• Timber study - movement, moisture content, drying, defects and conversion
• External timber yard visit
• Veneering - selection, storage, preparation, hand and pressing, vacuum bag
• Laminating - cutting, thicknessing, invisible glue lines
• Curves - Steam bending theory, coopering, laminating
• Power carving
• Finishing - types, applications, polishing, oils, bleach, colouring, spraying
• Options - Welding, metal turning, power carving, steam bending practical (time allowing)
• Own project work - designing and making your own furniture possibly for commission, friends or family
• Computer Aided Design - using AutoCAD 2D and 3D, material rendering, lighting
• Design history
• Setting up a workshop - machinery, legislation, dust extraction
• Metalworking - welding, MIG, TIG, brushing, cleaning, stainless, mild steel, shot blasting, powder coating, spraying
• Exhibiting your work - retail, galleries, internet, your own exhibition
• Clients - meetings, communication
• Stationary - designing, brochures, business cards, postcards, letterheads, drawings
• Websites - Introduction into the web, your website and SEO (rankings)
• Photography - Studio lighting, site photography, Photoshop editing
• Portfolios - format, web, computer slideshow, hardcopy, postcards
• Marketing and PR, branding and image

Course cost

40 week course cost 11,000 GBP.
Booking deposit 400 GBP, 50% to be paid on first day of course and 50% on first day of week 20.

A budget for tools should be allowed, also materials for your own projects. Materials are provided for small samples and test pieces.

Requirements

Prior experience is not required for the course but a genuine passion and willingness to learn is a help. An informal meeting is advised to discuss suitability before booking the course.

External visits to timber yards are included to gain invaluable experience.

At the first meeting the syllabus is discussed along with the student's options. It is then a bespoke course designed catering for the students needs. This way Marc is able to teach students of all abilities.

Venue

The courses are held at The Workshop where students will mix with bench rental users and see Marc Fish's award winning fine furniture being made.