Graduate Career Opportunities

Course Structure

Unit Descriptions

Admission Requirements

How to Apply

BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (FURNITURE DESIGN)

The Bachelor of Environmental Design (Furniture Design) is a three-year full time course that prepares graduates for professional practice in the furniture industry. The course focuses on innovating and pushing the boundaries of design and use of materials. Sustainable design practices and the value adding of materials, identity and craftsmanship are intrinsic to the values of this course. The course also encourages students to develop a professional approach to design and manufacture while nurturing their own distinctive styles. Students will explore traditional methods of craftsmanship and the relationship between form and function, while learning about many facets of furniture design and making through identifying, researching and creatively solving design problems.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN FURNITURE DESIGN

The Associate Degree in Furniture Design is a two-year full time course that gives graduates a solid foundation in the design and fabrication of furniture. This course was previously offered at the Australian School of Fine Furniture which used to be a separate entity. It is now part of the UTAS School of Architecture & Design. Hand skills are very important in the Associate Degree and are taught across a number of units covering essential hand tool usage and maintenance, alongside drawing conventions and presentation skills. Students will be given advanced joinery and machining instruction and develop design thinking through the testing of various methodologies  and research strategies.

GRADUATE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates may choose to work as Furniture Designer Makers as independent designers or collaboratively with furniture manufacturing companies. Graduates may also choose to work as furniture designers or production managers within a multidisciplinary design team, in an interior design consultancy, in an architectural practice or as designers for related disciplines such as theatre design.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Bachelor of Environmental Design (Furniture Design)
Course structure is based on the progressive development of skills, knowledge and understanding over three years:

• first year focuses on creativity and developing strategies for tackling design projects;
• second year provides students with a professional approach and skills; and
• third year explores challenging briefs and allows students to develop specialist knowledge and skills.

Associate Degree in Furniture Design
Course structure is based on the progressive development of skills, knowledge and understanding over two years:

• first year focuses on creativity and developing strategies for tackling design projects;
• second year provides students with a professional approach and skills.

UNIT DESCRIPTIONS

Design Workshop
These workshops equip students with the skills and knowledge required to design, fabricate, finish and present three dimensional objects, including models and marquettes. This leads students to develop individual approaches to the design and production of various pieces of furniture from one-off exhibition pieces to production items.

Design Communication
Introduces freehand, measured drawing techniques and practice, introductory CAD, two and three dimensional drawing conventions, illustration techniques for design presentation, model making and written and verbal presentation skills.

History & Theory in Design
Examines the history and theory of western design, the study of design in society, the development of design in Australia and aspects of Asian design.

Furniture Technology
Provides students with the skills and knowledge required to produce timber products through the safe use and maintenance of hand tools, workshop machinery and new technologies. It also introduces students to Computer Aided Design (CAD) technologies and production capabilities.

Professional Practice
The primary focus is to develop a professional portfolio and identity to attract future employers or clients. It develops students’ awareness of and ability to engage with the design industry. Students will analyse design related industries and markets of interest. They will conduct market research to understand how firms are able to test the feasibility of ideas, establish a sustainable market position and develop marketing and branding material to support their major projects.

Electives
Provide opportunities for students to explore selected areas of design in greater depth than is normally possible in an undergraduate studio. Areas include landscape architecture, learning by making, community development, computer use in design, ecologically sustainable architecture and urban design. Students may also take up to two electives from another School in the University, which may include discipline areas such as humanities, art and science.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

For admission to the Bachelor of Environmental Design (Interior Design) the University of Tasmania considers students who meet the University’s general admission requirements. There are no additional prerequisites for the Bachelor of Environmental Design (Interior Design).
A limited number of quota places are available to applicants who do not meet the University’s general admission requirements. Such applicants will be required to attend an interview and present a folio of creative work and/or demonstrate skills and knowledge that suggest they could successfully undertake the course.

HOW TO APPLY

The preferred method of application to the University of Tasmania for domestic students is via the Apply-by-web facility at: www.futurestudents.utas.edu.au/index.asp International students can apply via the international students page: www.international.utas.edu.au

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about courses on offer, admission procedures and services for students please refer to the Admission Guide:
www.futurestudents.utas.edu.au/index.asp

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