Furniture Design Option - Studio Arts BFA
In RIT’s furniture design degree, you will gain a comprehensive technical background in contemporary woodworking rooted in craftsmanship, creative design, and art-making.
Overview for Furniture Design Option - Studio Arts BFA
Why Study Furniture Design at RIT
College Preparation Workshops: High school juniors and seniors can participate in the two-week School of Art's annual Pre-College Portfolio Preparation Workshop.
Exhibit your Work: During senior year, your final body of work will be featured in a gallery.
The furniture design degree engages you in pursuit of your creative interests while providing a comprehensive technical background in contemporary woodworking. It focuses on technical expertise, freeing you to investigate a full range of creative expression and professional interests. This option is part of the Studio Arts BFA program.
The furniture design degree has long upheld a high standard of craftsmanship, creative design, and art-making. Combining these three areas is the foundation of all projects. Whether it’s making furniture or sculpture, you will be guided by the principles of creative problem-solving.
Inspiration is around every corner for furniture design students. A well-maintained studio with personal workspaces and state-of-the-art machines and tools is only enhanced by the opportunity to learn from faculty who are internationally recognized in the field.
Positioned at a university known for pioneering efforts in technology, the arts, and design, RIT’s furniture design option empowers collaboration and exploration in related disciplines, including:
- Engineering
- Ceramics
- Glass
- Industrial design
- Metals and jewelry design
The furniture design option is rooted in the traditions and legacy of RIT’s School for American Crafts. Alumni have crafted extraordinary careers, greatly contributing to the advancement of the field. Graduates operate their own successful studios around the country, work as product designers, craftspeople, and furniture makers at top woodworking studios, and go into adjacent industries such as manufacturing and shipbuilding.
-
Apply for Fall 2025
First-year students can apply for Early Decision II by Jan. 1 to get an admissions and financial aid assessment by mid-January.
Careers and Experiential Learning
Industries
Cooperative Education and Internships
What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.
Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Your art and design co-ops will provide hands-on experience that enables you to apply your artistic capabilities in dynamic professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.
Students in the furniture design option are strongly encouraged to complete a cooperative education or internship experience.
Creative Industry Days
Connect with Design Industry Leaders
RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Days, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. Creative Industry Days are a series of events that allow you to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and full-time employment positions.
Featured Work and Profiles
-
![Building a Pipe Organ video]()
Building a Pipe Organ
A skilled designer and musician, Kelly Cleveland '21 (Furniture Design) constructed an awe-inspiring handmade pipe organ for his capstone project.
Read More about Building a Pipe Organ -
![Pre-College Portfolio Prep Workshop video]()
Pre-College Portfolio Prep Workshop
RIT's annual Pre-College Portfolio Preparation Workshop offers students an engaging and rewarding experience. The course, taught by our School of Art's drawing and painting faculty, is a visual arts...
Read More about Pre-College Portfolio Prep Workshop -
![School of Art Reel video]()
School of Art Reel
No matter your medium, a world of possibility awaits in RIT's School of Art.
Read More about School of Art Reel -
![A long bench made of walnut.]()
Sculpture and Furniture Design
A sample of furniture and sculpture designed by Jared Abner ’21 (Furniture Design). In his artist statement, Abner describes his work as both subtraction and addition.
Read More about Sculpture and Furniture Design -
![A gallery display of furniture design and lighting.]()
Senior Exhibition
RIT Furniture Design students conclude their studies by showcasing their final body of work in a group capstone exhibition in one of the College of Art and Design’s gallery spaces.
Read More about Senior Exhibition -
![A portrait of Domenic Fiorello sitting on a chair.]()
Best of Both Worlds: Design and Craft
Domenic Fiorello '11 (Furniture Design) owns and operates a custom furniture design studio in Cleveland, Ohio, where each piece is designed with the same attention to detail he learned at...
Read More about Best of Both Worlds: Design and Craft
Admissions and Financial Aid
This option is part of the Studio Arts BFA. Please visit the degree program page for admission requirements.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships
Related News
-
March 21, 2024
![A student binds a book in the textile makerspace in the SHED.]()
Innovation unleashed: students forge transdisciplinary projects at RIT's a2ru summit
Students leveraged the variety of makerspaces in RIT's brand-new SHED facility to create arts-integrative work responding to a theme of "Play."
-
January 18, 2024
![illustration of a brown sofa in a green dumpster.]()
Your New $3,000 Couch Might Be Garbage in Three Years. This Is Why.
The Wall Street Journal talks to Andy Buck, professor in the School for American Crafts, about reupholstering old furniture. (This content requires a subscription to view.)
-
November 6, 2023
![A student has her artwork reviewed by faculty member Don Arday.]()
Prospective students explore RIT art and design programs at National Portfolio Day event
The College of Art and Design welcomed 226 young artists to campus for its National Portfolio Day event, where prospective students met one-on-one with faculty about their artwork and different programs.
Contact
- Andy Buck
- Professor
- School for American Crafts
- College of Art and Design
- aabsac@rit.edu
School of Art