Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

The Work

Furniture designers / makers create designs for mass-produced and handcrafted furniture products. The most common products they design are those that are found in homes and offices, such as chairs, tables and bookcases.  
 
The first stage is to put together a design brief. The designer discusses with the client what type of furniture they need, its function, what type of person the product is to appeal to and the budget available. In large companies, in-house designers usually receive the design brief from senior management or marketing departments.  
 
Before any designs can be produced, furniture designers need to investigate the designs that are already available. They gather information about how well these designs are selling, and customers' reactions to the existing products. This stage often involves collecting and analysing market research.  
 
When they have completed their research, furniture designers make rough sketches. Once senior management and/or clients have approved these, designers produce more detailed drawings that show the sises of the product and any written instructions. The designer may have to prepare mock-ups of products to show other people what the product looks like and how well it stands up to wear and tear.  
 
Self-employed designer-craft workers carry out all these tasks themselves. They usually rely on commissions from individuals who want original one-off pieces of furniture made to their specific requirements. To produce the finished item, the designer-craft worker often uses traditional craft methods. They use a range of equipment, such as hand tools, lathes, and machine saws, using techniques such as veneering, wood turning, carving, wood finishing, and upholstery.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
• Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
• Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
• Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
• Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.
• Research production specifications, costs, production materials, and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemised production requirements.
• Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings and specification sheets from sketches.
• Investigate product characteristics such as the product's safety and handling qualities, its market appeal, how efficiently it can be produced, and ways of distributing, using, and maintaining it.
• Develop manufacturing procedures and monitor the manufacture of their designs in a factory to improve operations and product quality.
• Participate in new product planning or market research, including studying the potential need for new products.

Further Information

• Furniture Designer / Maker - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Furniture Designer / Maker - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Most furniture designers have a degree in Furniture Design, Interior Design or Three-Dimensional Design (of which furniture design, as an option). Relevant degree courses are offered at institutions throughout the country.

The usual route into design work is through a relevant degree or diploma course options. These are provided at a number of colleges and institutions throughout the country. People can develop their craft and business in tandem with other careers, or as their main job. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Construction skills, Engineering operations, Manufacturing, or Quality Management, Business start up, General Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Carpentry & joinery, Art Craft & Design, Furniture design at NFQ Levels 5 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Carpentry or Allied trades, engineering & manufacturing disciplines to your design process NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Design, Furniture design, Interior Design, Creative design courses at NFQ Levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Postgraduate Study Options Arts & Design, Interior Design, Arts-Visual Creatve specialism  at NFQ level 9

Professional Development 

Design Skillnet 

Design Crafts Council Ireland 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €45k

Salaries in this occupation can vary greatly, from those who sell their creations independently, often in combination with a second job, to those who earn stable salaries working for manufacturers or craft workshops.

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Prosperity

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• The Irish Wood and Furniture Manufacturing Network

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Design & Craft Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 77 61804
  • Click Here