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Beginning Furniture Design
$600.00
Every Monday Evening (6 weeks)
March 9th to April 13th, 2026 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Explore furniture as expression, structure, and function in a studio-driven design course where ideas evolve into drawings, and drawings into thoughtfully conceived objects.
- Materials are included
See below for more detail
| Furniture Type | Shop Furniture |
|---|---|
| Skill Level | Beginner |
| Time Frame | Part-Time, Weekdays – Evening |
Name: Beginning Furniture Design
Instructor: Mark Macek
Skill Level: Beginner
Recommended Prerequisites: Introduction to Hand Drafting, or ability with some computer modeling software. Please reach out if you have questions or concerns.
Monday Evenings from March 9th, 2026 to April 13th 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm (6 Meetings)
Age: You must be at least 18 years old to participate
Class Description:
This is not a woodworking course. This is a drawing and design course focusing on furniture as a means of expression. Prerequisites are proficiency with hand drafting or computer drawing programs along with some prior experience with wood fabrication.
When we talk about design, we include a wide range of studies. Architects often refer to tectonics, or how the object is constructed from smaller pieces. Interior designers emphasize the color, texture, and silhouette. Sculptors deal with unexpected forms and the psychological associates they evoke. Craftspeople specialize in understanding and manipulating the material. Historians unpack the context: who, when, where, and why. Pragmatists, of course, need to know that the design is functional and ergonomic. All these factors are valid and will inform our furniture design.
There will be three assignments – table, case good, and chair – allowing two class meetings to discuss the assignment. Each week’s class begins with a prompt, a short set of ideas to frame the work. Students then develop their designs outside of class and present them for discussion at the following session. Most of the work will take place independently rather than during class time. The final assignment will also include the construction of a three-dimensional scale model of the design.
This class is appropriate for both beginners and seasoned woodworkers. If you have never designed a piece of furniture in your life and are looking for a better understanding of how to approach that process, this will be a great class for you. If you are a professional looking to invest some time with design and dive deeper into some ideas this will also be a great class for you. Wherever you are in your design and fabrication journey you will walk away with a new outlook and some fresh drawings.
You will not make a piece of furniture in this class, but instead have the design finalized for a piece to build in the future. Depending on interest, there is a possibility we will offer an add on to this class where you can bring one of your designs to life.
Schedule:
Monday Evenings (6 Weeks)
- March 9th to April 13th 2026 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
What to bring:
- Whatever tools you will need for your drafting method
- If utilizing hand drafting, you can use one of the school’s drafting boards.
- If using computer software, laptop and charger.
- Sketch book recommended.
- Water bottle and snacks (optional)
Austin School of Furniture has the right to cancel this class at anytime if the minimum amount of students is not reached.
