Furniture Design Option - Studio Arts BFA Option


Furniture Design Option
Studio Arts BFA
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- Furniture Design Option - Studio Arts BFA
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School of Art
Overview
The furniture design option 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.
Furniture design students at RIT have 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 buoyed 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, the furniture design option empowers collaboration and exploration in related disciplines, including engineering, ceramics, glass, industrial design, and 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.
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Industries
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Design -
Performing and Fine Arts -
Higher Education
Featured Work
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.
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.
Functional Art
Nathan DeFreest
A sample of the capstone work of Nathan DeFreest ’20 (Furniture Design).
Featured Profiles
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.
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...
Innovative and Unique Furniture Design
Peter Harrison
Peter Harrison ’96 (Woodworking and Furniture Design) opened his own studio in 1997 just outside of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Admission Requirements
This option is part of the Studio Arts BFA. Please visit the degree program page for admission requirements.
Learn about admissions, cost, and financial aid
Latest News
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November 8, 2021
Ceramics class employs modern fabrication processes to connect with past
Students from majors across RIT fused historical knowledge, 3D printing and various pottery practices to create replicas of ancient Greek vessels.
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September 7, 2021
New leadership roles, faculty hires highlight changes in College of Art and Design
RIT's Schools of Art, American Crafts, Film and Animation, and Photographic Arts and Sciences are all under new leadership.
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August 24, 2021
Artist series brings exhibitions, sculpture, artist engagement to campus
RIT School of Art's Anna Ballarian Visiting Artist Series adds a new dimension to the College of Art and Design's already robust visiting artist and exhibition programming.