Furniture Design and Making

Level 5 QQI Award - Furniture Design and Making 5M2012

Duration

This is a Full time one year course, which runs from September to May.

Overview

DFEi has a long history of providing further education and training courses aimed at students who want to work in the furniture industry. Students develop essential craftsman’s skills to assist them in gaining employment in this industry. Within this year students will be introduced to the use of hand tools and woodworking machinery as they construct their furniture projects. Students will also learn drawing, design skills, veneering and marquetry, wood finishing and computer aided draughting (2D) to support the design and furniture making process. This course is supported by excellently equipped workshops and IT resources.  These include all the expected woodworking equipment, a new industrial grade panel saw, a spray booth and a CNC router.

Declan Barrett, award winning cabinet maker now teaches in DFEi. Click to hear his story. 

Entry Requirements

One of the following:

  • Leaving Certificate (LC Established, LCVP, LCA) or equivalent
  • A Full Level 4 QQI/FETAC Award (or equivalent)
  • For Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) - appropriate experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications. Note: Mature applicants may be entitled to VTOS funding. For details about VTOS, please contact the college
  • Applicants whose first language is not English require level B1 competency on the CEFR language framework. Applicants may be required to undergo English language testing to establish their language competency.

Course Modules

  • Furniture Making
  • Computer Aided Draughting (2D)
  • Design Skills
  • Drawing
  • Veneering and Marquetry
  • Safety and Health at Work
  • Communications
  • Work Experience
Module Information

Module Information

Furniture Design and Making

Level 5 QQI Award: Furniture Design and Making

Course Content (Module Names and Codes)

 

Furniture Making 5N1275

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to working independently and under supervision in a furniture workshop, to effectively utilise a range of workshop resources and to safely produce items of furniture.

Assessment: Portfolio/Collection of Work (100%).

 

Computer Aided Draughting (2D) 5N1604

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to utilise computer technology as a design tool and a presentation media.

Assessment: Project (50%), Portfolio/Collection of Work (50%).

 

Design Skills 5N0784

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to understand the strategies inherent in the design process and generate creative responses to design briefs.

Assessment: Project (40%), Portfolio/Collection of Work (60%).

 

Drawing 5N1862

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to use and apply drawing processes and techniques to communicate, interpret and describe solutions to problems, in a variety of ways and appropriate to a range of specialisms.

Assessment: Portfolio/Collection of Work (100%).

 

Veneering and Marquetry 5N1365

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to apply veneering and marquetry principles and techniques in the wood trade and in a furniture manufacturing context.

Assessment: Project (50%), Portfolio/Collection of Work (50%).

 

Safety and Health at Work 5N1794

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to promote and maintain safety and health in a work environment.

Assessment: Assignment (60%), Examination - Theory (40%).

 

Communications 5N0690

Communications is a survival toolkit that underpins almost everything we do. If you get the basic skills right at this stage, you can build on them as you progress to further study or employment. As a hands-on, practical subject, you will be afforded the opportunity to learn and practice the conventions of oral and written communication. You will undertake tasks that will prepare you for third level or workplace projects.

Assessment: Portfolio/Collection of Work (50%), Skills Demonstration (50%).

Work Experience 5N1356

Prepare for a work placement under supervision for a limited time. This comprises of a skills audit, achievement audit, rights and responsibilities, vocational area study, an evaluation of work placement and future career options. A Work Placement of 10 working days or 60 hours must be arranged.

Assessment: Portfolio/Collection of Work (60%), Skills Demonstration (40%).

Certification

  • Level 5 Award Furniture Design and Making (5M2012)

Special Features

Free Autodesk Software Subscription for all students on this course to facilitate assessment work.

All DFEi students are provided with an M365 account, which gives them access to the tools and resources needed to deliver assessment work while attending their course. M365 Apps include Word, PowerPoint, Excel, outlook and OneDrive.

Work Experience

Students will be required to undertake a period work placement in an organisation connected to their vocational area during the academic year.  Work Experience is mandatory for all of our full-time Level 5 courses. Students are required to source their own work placement but will be assisted in this by the work experience teacher.  The work placement is usually for a period of 10 days or a minimum of 60 hours.  Students usually find the work experience element of the course to be invaluable and should bear in mind that a successful work placement can sometimes lead to further opportunities.

Additional Information

Visual Design Exhibition

A Visual Design Exhibition of students' work from this course is held annually in DFEi, in May, providing an opportunity for students to showcase the skills and knowledge they have acquired.

Assessment

Assessment techniques will be used to assess the knowledge and skills that students will have achieved on successful completion of modules:

  • Student Record
  • Collection of Work
  • Assignments
  • Examination (Written)
  • Project
  • Skills Demonstration

All assignments are submitted electronically.  Therefore all students need access to a device such as a computer/laptop.

A full major award is granted on passing the relevant eight components.  On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a pass, a merit or a distinction grade. See www.qqi.ie for more details

Progression Opportunities

DFEi: Graduates may progress to the Level 6 QQI Advanced Certificate in Furniture Design and Making at DFEi.
 

Elsewhere: Graduates are eligible to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to year one of a range of higher certificate and degree programmes, at Universities, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities using their full QQI Level 5 major award. Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria.  It is the students' responsibility to consult with the relevant HEI for information on the admissions process and any specific entry requirements. Students may also refer to the individual HEI prospectus or may also refer to the QQI FET section of the CAO website. www.cao.ie

Examples of CAO progression opportunities are listed below.

Progression Examples

BSc Architectural Technology (TU831)

BSc Sustainable Timber Technology (TU838)

BSc Product Design (TU811)

Technological University Dublin - www.tud.ie

BSc Furniture Design and Manufacture (GA981)

BSc Furniture Design Making and Technology (GA984)

BSc Furniture Making and Architectural Woodworking (GA982)

BSc Furniture and Digital Manufacturing (GA983)

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology - www.gmit.ie

Career Paths

Graduate opportunities may include the following: furniture designer or maker, apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery, interior design, product design, construction industry, management/sales within the furniture industry or self-employment.

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Accreditations

Shane O’Halloran

2012 Graduate
Owner of www.sohfurniture.com, bespoke Furniture Design and Making based in Wicklow

I did the Furniture Design and Making Course back in 2012, then did a bit of travelling and worked for other people using my skills. Since I…

Read More

Shane O’Halloran

2012 Graduate
Owner of www.sohfurniture.com, bespoke Furniture Design and Making based in Wicklow

I did the Furniture Design and Making Course back in 2012, then did a bit of travelling and worked for other people using my skills. Since I was in 5th year in school I knew that furniture design and making was what I wanted to do. In 2017 with the improving economy I finally decided to start my own business in and it was with all the knowledge and skills I had learnt in DFEi back in 2012.  My business is www.SOHFurniture.com and I am delighted to have finally have my own business up and running. I can honestly say DFEi taught me everything I know.

Department Head

Dave Nicholson

Dave Nicholson

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