Term 1

The first term is an intensive induction where you’ll learn many of the fundamentals of the craft, including hand and power tools, wood properties, glues, finishes, veneers, joints and much more. This will be learnt by making a series of set projects, culmuinating in the perfect hanging tool cabinet.

You’ll learn how to look after your hand tools, make your own tools, make your own dovetail saw and use it to learn the art of dovetail joints, set up your bench and workspace, and safely operate machinery.

Term 2

Design and build a unique piece of furniture with a traditional drawer. Learn and practice a range of curving techniques such as steam bending, coopering, laminating or kerfing; and then design and make an item incorporating a curved component.

• Interpret and respond to a design brief

• Investigate materials and technologies for design projects

• Prepare and present design and manufacturing information

• Generate design solutions 

• Produce drawings to communicate ideas

• Construct joints for custom furniture 

• Produce manual and computer-aided drawings from design concepts

• Assemble custom furniture 

• Produce curved and shaped components for custom furniture

Term 3

Put your newfound skills to use in designing, prototyping and constructing your own batch project for potential commercial sales. The focus will be on jig construction and strategies for making multiples of the same product.

• Research furniture styles and movements 

• Produce technical drawings 

• Design, construct and test jigs

Term 3

Channel your creativity and practice into a piece that’s worthy of your Graduate Exhibition. This work should demonstrate your awareness and understanding of the design principles you’ve studied throughout the year. Separately, you will carry out research into a specific furniture style, maker or movement and produce a presentation to be shared with the class.

• Produce timber veneered components for custom furniture

• Make scale models

• Select timbers for furniture production

• Project Management and professional development

• Organise all aspects of the year end exhibition

• Make a portfolio with a complete record of the project (including photographs)

Term 4

Combine everything you have learnt to design and make a chair. Your most demanding project so far, you’ll need to consider cover design, prototyping, structural concerns, ergonomics, materials and processes, production and basic upholstery techniques.