BFA Programme in Wood Oriented Furniture Design
Summary
This programme is designed for those who wish to work with furniture from an exploratory and conceptual approach to materials, innovation, and sustainable development. Over the three years of the course, you will develop your own approach to furniture design through project-based modules. You will also gain fundamental knowledge in materials, techniques, and design methodology, laying the foundation for developing an independent working method and critical thinking within the field of furniture design.
About
The programme is centered around furniture design and explorative work around the material wood in our workshop. The focus of the education is to solve artistic and material-related problems with consideration to the environment and human needs, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and local relevance. Therefore, you will have access to timber sourced from the region, which is dried in the department’s wood kiln.
The first year is foundational, largely focusing on knowledge in design process, materials, and techniques. This year includes exercises that enhance skills in sketching, craftsmanship and production. You will also practice product development processes – from sketches and scale models to mock-ups, CAD, and the final product at a technical level.
In the second year, the awareness of the relationship to the environment, contemporary society, and history is emphasised. You will be introduced to current discussions within craftsmanship, design, art, and public art, and trained to develop products or furniture for specific environments and companies.
In the third year, the exercises deepen in methodology, design, and communication. The spring semester culminates in a degree project, where you have the opportunity to further investigate and carry out an exploratory design project in furniture design with a focus on wood.
Courses in visual design and communication, as well as theory and history, are conducted together with students from other artistic bachelor’s programmes at HDK-Valand, Campus Steneby.
During the programme, you will also have opportunities to go on study trips and visits to trade fairs, companies in the industry, and design offices. Through workshops, guest lecturers, and thematic projects, you will gain additional inspiration and deepen your perspectives.
Get to know teachers and other staff at the Design and Crafts Steneby Unit at Campus Steneby.
Programme structure and content
Basic knowledge about materials, techniques, and design methodology provide the foundation for developing an independent working method and critical approach towards furniture design. The course themes will guide you to more complex problems as the programme progresses. You will learn the process of product development, from sketching and scale models using mock-ups and CAD, to the finished prototype on a high technical level.
You will participate in ongoing discussions within the arts, crafts, and design scenes, and be trained in developing products or furniture for special contexts or users, sometimes together with an industrial partner. An internship period provides the potential for making contacts with manufacturers and design studios. The programme culminates with an in-depth thesis project where you carry through an exploratory design project in furniture design with specialization in wood as material.
Who should apply?
Do you question what others take for granted about furniture and want to investigate the possibilities of new tools and materials?Do you want to explore sustainability challenges and global questions through collaborative project work in furniture design?Do you want to meet social, economic, and industrial needs resulting from environmental challenges through new ways of working with wood?If you want to explore new techniques, exercise your sensorial perception, and gain proficiency in communicating as a designer, apply for the bachelor’s programme in Wood-Oriented Furniture Design.
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
General entry requirements + approved work sample. Exceptions may be made for Swedish when the language of instruction is English.
Portfolio
Find the portfolio instructions for the Bachelor's programme in Wood Oriented Furniture Design here:
More information about Portfolio
Selection
The selection is based on an assessment of submitted work samples and a personal interview.
After graduation
The programme provides you with the foundation to work in a design office or run your own business. It also prepares you for further studies at the advanced level.
Facilities
HDK-Valand's facilities at Campus Steneby include large, well-equipped workshops, including those for metalworking, furniture design, and textiles.
Our equipment includes miter saw, split saw, planer, band saws, adjustment saw, column drills, core drill, long hole drill, table routers, tenon & slotting machine, router, sinker, veneer saw, veneer press, wide band plasterer, spider plasterer, vertical band plasterer, long band plasterer, disc plasterer, marquetry saw, timber dryer, lathes, laser cutters and various hand machines.
Campus Steneby has it's own art gallery and library.
More information about facilities
Exchange opportunities
During the second year, you have the opportunity to do an exchange with another school through our international network.
