MASTER OF FURNITURE DESIGN
in florence, italy
overview
The one-year Master of Furniture Design, taught entirely in English, is an intensive program for graduates and young professionals seeking a specialization course to develop advanced creative, technical and professional skills in furniture design. Students are encouraged to develop their own design identity rather than following a set visual or stylistic approach. The program explores furniture design from initial research and concept development through detailing, materials, prototyping and manufacturing. An emphasis of the program is made between Italian furniture design and the relationship between creative design, craftsmanship, production technologies and industrial processes. Master students develop individual furniture projects through studio education supported by studies in materials, fabrication, sustainability, 3D modelling, visualization and prototyping. The master includes technical instruction for Rhinoceros and 3D printing, allowing students to investigate complex forms and develop reduced-scale prototypes as part of the design process. Through lectures by industry professionals, studio projects and direct exposure to the Italian furniture industry, students develop an understanding of how furniture moves from concept to production.
Admission
Furniture Design Master entry requirements: Acceptance to the Master courses depends on the student’s prior level of experience. Acceptance to the Master of Furniture design requires in most cases a degree in Interior Design, Architecture or Industrial Design. Applicants should refer to the Admissions Page for full entry requirements and application procedures. Those who do not meet the Master requirements are welcome to enroll for our summer course of Furniture Design.Career prospects
The program can support graduates looking to establish an independent design practice or develop their own furniture collections. Graduates often find that an international qualification helps differentiate them in their home country, where clients may place particular value on overseas education. As a result, they may be better positioned to access higher-quality roles and more competitive opportunities than those whose education was limited to local institutions. Graduates of the Master of Furniture Design develop advanced creative, technical and professional skills applicable to furniture design, product development and related areas of the design industry. Career opportunities may include work within furniture and product design studios, interior and architectural practices, furniture manufacturers, production companies and independent design practices. Graduates may pursue roles such as furniture designer, product designer, design consultant, 3D specialist, prototype developer or production coordinator, depending on previous qualifications, professional experience and portfolio.
Learning Furniture
Italy's furniture industry provides an important context for the Master's program. Students study Italian furniture design not only through its history and influential designers, but also through contemporary materials, manufacturing processes, craftsmanship and production methods. Technical visits allow students to observe how furniture is developed from design concept through prototyping and fabrication to final production. These experiences help connect studio projects with professional manufacturing practice and provide students with a deeper understanding of the relationship between designer, material, manufacturer and finished product.
objectives
By the end of the courses, Furniture Design students will have acquired the training and the portfolio necessary to interview for positions in design firms, furniture design studios, or architecture studios. Florence Institute graduates can find entry positions as space planners, assistant designers, and production coordinators. After gaining professional experience, graduates may eventually go on to advanced positions such as leading designers or project managers. Others may establish their own design firms or take on challenging freelance assignments.
teaching
Teaching combines design studio practice with lectures, technical instruction, research and direct engagement with furniture production in Italy. Students receive guidance from experienced design professionals and academics while developing increasingly independent approaches to furniture design. Studio teaching encourages experimentation with form, materials, construction and production methods, while technical courses support the development of the digital modelling, visualization and prototyping skills required to communicate and test design proposals.
field trips
Field trips form an integral part of The Florence Institute's curriculum. The school is located in close proximity to some of Florence’s most important museums and cultural sites. Students should budget an additional €250 Euro per term of travel and ticket cost for field trips that are scheduled for classes in which they are enrolled. Visits are made to the Uffizi Gallery together with many other palazzi, churches and museums. Some of the places typically visited by Master of Furniture students include, showroom, technical visits, Italy’s largest furniture exhibition Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan and the ceramics exhibit Cersaie in Bologna. Italy is known worldwide for its furniture industry. One highlight for furniture master students is a visit to one of Italy’s premier furniture factories.
Furniture design is one of Italy’s most respected areas of knowledge. The purpose of the short summer course is to develop students’ understanding and conceptual skills of all aspects of furniture design from design to production to the development of prototypes. During the 4 week program, students study presentation of history, theories, works and trends of Italian and International furniture.
Furniture Summer Course :
Duration: 4 weeks
Levels : Basic or Advanced
First Term
IFD 501- Studio Design Course 1 -
This advanced studio course forms the principal design component of the first term. Students investigate contemporary furniture design through research, concept development and individual design projects, with particular attention to materials, detailing, fabrication and Italian furniture production. Projects encourage experimentation and the development of original design solutions while requiring students to consider the practical relationship between form, function, material and manufacturing. Through research and regular design development, students progressively refine their individual approach and develop professionally resolved furniture proposals. This studio course meets twice per week and is the main focus of study within the master program. .
CD 180- 3D Computer Modeling- Rhinoceros -
The course is designed for those who are new to modeling with Rhinoceros software. The course focus is on the use of modeling tools for complex shapes. At the end of the course the participants will be able to produce professionally executed 3D models using Rhinoceros software.
INT 190- Furniture Design -
During the second term, students undertake an independent thesis project based on a self-defined area of investigation and developed in consultation with an academic adviser. The project requires students to establish an appropriate research methodology, investigate relevant precedents, materials and production methods, and explore different approaches to the development and representation of their design. The thesis requires an original and conceptually strong furniture design proposal demonstrating independence in research and creative development. Students develop their project from initial investigation and concept through detailing, modelling, visualization and prototype development. The final submission comprises a professionally resolved furniture design project supported by written and visual documentation communicating the research, development, technical considerations and design rationale behind the work.
CD 160- 3D Computer Rendering-
The course is designed for those who are new to rendering. The course focus is on the use of materials, lighting and cameras. At the end of the course the participants will be able to produce professionally executed 3D rendering.
HUM 150- Art History 1 -This two-part course begins with the Florentine art dating from the end of the 1200s. The course covers the most key artists practicing in the region of Tuscany from the 1300s till the late 1400s. The course covers historical, social and political events and analyzes their influence on the artistic production. Many class sessions are held on-site in the form of trips to museums and churches to enhance in-class lectures.
HUM 120- Italian Language 1A - The courses will focus mainly on spoken conversational Italian, with themes relating to common life, travel and business travel situations including greetings, days of the week, asking for directions, food, making plans, telling time, purchases and dealing with money and numbers.
Second Term
IFD 502- Studio Design 2 with Thesis -
This course meets twice per week and will continue with the first term's course structure. The end of the second term is a focused on an independent project on a single topic, developed by the student working in conjunction with an advisor. During this studio course, students will try various formats for visualizing their thesis and will implement the design work necessary to realize their project. Emphasis will be placed on creative investigation and the development of original solutions that are conceptually strong and content filled. The final thesis will be comprised of the design project along with written documentation. Students must demonstrate independence in relation to their own design process and the ability to realize a complex furniture design solution.
HUM 250- History of Modern Italian Design–
The course examines significant Italian designers and design movements within the broader context of Italian visual culture. Students consider relationships between product and interior design, art, architecture, fashion, film and photography, developing an understanding of how social, cultural and technological developments have influenced Italian design.
HUM 151- Art History 2 - The second part of the course examines Italian art from the late 1400s through Mannerism and the Counter-Reformation. Students explore major artistic developments and consider the transition from the ideals of the High Renaissance towards increasingly complex artistic and cultural responses. Classroom teaching is complemented by visits to museums, churches and significant historical sites in Florence.
INT 191- Furniture Design 2 - The second semester is a more in depth exploration of the field of furniture design. This semester gives students more professional experience addressing quality control, process planning, costing and supervision skills.
CD 165- 3D Printing- This course introduces 3D printing as part of the furniture design and prototyping process. Students develop the skills required to prepare digital models for additive manufacturing and use 3D printers to produce complex reduced-scale prototypes. The course considers the relationship between digital modelling, visualization, prototyping and production, allowing students to test form, scale, construction and assembly before progressing towards final manufacture.
HUM 121-Italian Language 1b - The courses will continue to focus mainly on spoken conversational Italian. This more advanced level class will start to deal with general work and business discussions.* Program may be subject to change*