Furniture Design 1

The course is a programme course given during the first semester.

The course is part of the BFA Programme in Wood Oriented Furniture Design, 180 credits (K1MDT).

The course may also be offered as a freestanding course.

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental methods, materials, and tools used in furniture design. It begins with a comprehensive wood workshop overview, which forms the foundation for the exploratory and investigative work in the course. Throughout the course, various design methods are explored, along with the use of technical drawings, sketches, models, and prototypes to communicate and present design concepts. In the course, 3D modeling will also be introduced.

The course includes practical exercises where students work with green, soft, and hardwoods, examine principles of proportion and construction, and explore the use of locally sourced timber in a sustainability context. Historical references to Swedish design and materials are integrated throughout the course.

During the course, students will begin to develop their professional vocabulary enabling them to describe furniture design, joinery techniques, artistic expressions, and design concepts with clarity and precision.

The semester concludes with maintenance and cleaning of the workshop and its facilities.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• identify basic properties of wood as a material for construction and design 
• account for basic design methods
• describe basic principles of 3D-modelling 

Competence and Skills

• operate the most commonly used wood working machines in the workshop in a safe way
• present the process of a furniture design including sketching, technical drawing, model building and prototyping
• describe choices of construction, materials and artistic expression using an appropriate professional vocabulary
• practice how a workshop and workplace should be continuously cleaned and organised

Judgement and Approach

• assess the most suitable woodworking machine or tool for a specific task 
• evaluate the use of locally harvested wood with regard to sustainability and environmental impact 
• motivate the choice of design method and artistic references in a design process.

Project and problem-based teaching, tutoring, lectures, seminars, teamwork, workshops, presentations, skill training and study trips.

The language of instruction is English.

The learning outcomes are examined through

• oral and visual presentations
• oral discussion in seminar format
• presenting produced prototypes, sketches, technical drawings and models
• a written assignment
• workshop maintenance occasions. 

Complementation of an examined student performance may be allowed. The possibility of complementation is assessed on an individual basis and decided by the examiner. Complementation is carried out through the supplementary assignments determined by the examiner and within a specified timeframe.

Absence from examination may be replaced with another form of examination after the examiner's assessment.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U).

Students are given the opportunity to evaluate the course anonymously at the end of the course. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Costs for the student's individual projects are covered by the student.

Additional costs for travel and study visits may apply.