Furniture School?
 

I'm not sure if this is the right section to post on. Sorry if so.

Anyhow, I've been finding myself doodling a lot of furniture lately. I'm not sure why, but it's definitely coming naturally. I've got a specific artistic style that I've been able to incorporate in a variety of different mediums, including pottery, ceramic sculpture, metalwork, and woodwork. I'm beginning to put two-and-two together and realize that I should maybe look into further schooling. What I'm wondering is if there are schools like this around. I've done some research into industrial design, but would I be able to just focus on furniture or do they generally make you work on other 'industrial' things too?
I'm thinking that I'd like to find a school that teaches skills rather than brings out creativity. I know how and where to incorporate my art, I'd just like to consider schooling in a studio where I learn all the hows, why's, tricks, and tools of furniture creation. So does this kind of thing exist?
Some things I could see myself making would be lamps, tables, chairs, lights, book shelves, etc.
Thanks for any insite and direction guys ;)
-Tim

There are several ways to go about this excellent calling.

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...niture+college

Many University Colleges of Art and Design have Woodworking and/or Furniture Making majors or concentrations. What is taught is always skills/technique-based first and includes creativity-based education in varying degrees.

Best of luck!

Doh! I searched for "furniture school" and got hundreds of links to school-furniture suppliers! 'College' didn't cross my mind though, thanks for that. ;)

That would be such a fun profession. Go for it. I don't think there are very many around and if you can design...more power to ya.

Truly without trying to boast, I don't have much doubt that I would make some nice stuff. I've found that I've been able to make art that I like in all these mediums. I feel that a true artist is one who can repetadely make things that he or she really enjoys, thus creating things that they highly appreciate themselves. I've experienced this lately and I feel that I should get some ideas out. What I'm wondering though is where the success lies in the field. While I do leave much of the success in the creation of the art itself, I *am* a college student and must be realistic too ;) I wonder if people will always be willing to pay more for nice design. Luckily I consider my art to be modern yet timeless, but more and more cheap furniture with decent design (Ikea...) is being pumped out and I don't see how one could survive. I wouldn't leave out the idea of opening a furniture company some day either, I enjoy the business too to an extent.
Just venting here. I've thought these things through many times and it seems that the only real way to go about succeding in art is to just dive in and carry some good business skills at your side...

I found this site from some searches. Seems to have tons of potential: http://www.scad.edu

I know a guy who is an apprentice to a furniture-maker. The teacher makes a very nice living creating high-end, custom furniture. Think about it, for a couple of thousand dollars in materials, you can create a piece that sells for $10,000 to $50,000.

My grandpa was a wood-worker (as a hobby). He turned out clocks, rolltop desks, wine-racks, etc. Everything he built was by request. He had people just about breaking down his door to make furniture for them.

Ture, there is a lot of cheap furniture out there. But there are a lot of people who will pay big bucks for nice, custom-made furniture too.

Interesting to hear. I always love success stories ;) So where are your friend and grandfather located? Is the demand they're facing in America?
Thanks for the info
-T

Grandpa's ashes reside in the woodpile behind my old house in a small town in the the northmost part of Northern California.

My friend is a bit more active. He lives and works in urban Pacific Northwest.

USA! USA! USA!

Bless his heart :icare:
Thanks for the info, I'll begin some research.