Areas of Study
Woodworking & Furniture Design
Program Description
The Woodworking & Furniture Design major is where you begin a career in the expressive nature of three-dimensional form and master the art of taking an idea from conception to completion. Our curriculum focuses on a balance between traditional and contemporary approaches that allow you to embrace hands-on studio bench work and become immersed in digital fabrication and new technologies. You get around-the-clock access to our state-of-the-art wood studio and work closely with our renowned faculty.
From history and theory to contemporary design and practice, this major will give you the tools you need to build upon the deep tradition of woodworking, rooted in New England crafts.
Each year, students in good academic standing who are majoring in Woodworking & Furniture Design have scholarship opportunities through our Anne Honeywell Orr Memorial Endowed Scholarship, established by a leadership gift from Kathryn A. Yates, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the College.
Life After Graduation
Our accomplished faculty, including Program Chair Matt Hutton (who owns STUDIO 24b), practice what they teach and can help you understand the career from all angles. The knowledge and connections you make here will prepare you to help lead the next generation of talented wood designers and craftspeople.
Faculty
Woodworking & Furniture Design Faculty
Sample Courses
- WF 125 Models & Mockups
- WF 235 CURViture
- WF 245 Digital Fabrication
Workspace & Tools
Precision Italian machinery
CNC routers, 4 band saws, horizontal slot mortiser, chisel mortiser, One-Way lathes, drill press, 16” & 12” jointers, 15” & 24” planers and 36” wide belt sander
Lie Nielsen hand planes
Festool hand tools
SawStop table saws
Woodworking & Furniture Design majors each have their own private studios during their third and fourth years with 24/7 studio access.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Understand linear connections with wood and the inherent structural qualities of the material enough to develop competency to design and construct with it.
- Develop an awareness of proportion, scale and utility through material relationships and connections.
- Gain competency and confidence in using both traditional and modern techniques in woodworking and furniture design.
- Demonstrate control of the medium through refined joinery, ergonomics, presentation, function and appropriate craft.
- Possess hand skills relevant to basic woodworking construction techniques.
- Possess machine skills relevant to woodworking construction techniques.
- Understand health and safety as it relates to woodworking as a material and process.
- Employ design skills that utilize drawing, drafting and scaled model-making.
- Support their physical work through critical discourse and research.
- Demonstrate professional practices within the field of woodworking and furniture design.
Course of Study
Foundation Year
Fall
- FN 101 Digital Imaging
- FN 109 3D: Materiality
- FN 113 Two-Dimensional Design
- Studio Elective
- EN 100 English Composition
- SEM 100 First Year Seminar
Spring
- DR 100 Introduction to Drawing
- FN 110 4D: Space & Temporality
- FN 108 Research & Inquiry – Studio
- SEM 108 Research & Inquiry – Academic
- AH 101 Art History Survey I
Sophomore
Fall
- WF 101 Intro to Woodworking
- WF 221 Wood & Furniture Major Studio
- Studio Elective (Student Choice)
- AH 102 Art History Survey II
- Academic Elective
Spring
- WF 102 Intermediate Woodworking
- WF 222 Wood & Furniture Major Studio
- WF 351 Introduction to the Discipline
- AH 250 Critical Approaches to Contemporary Art
- Academic Elective
Junior
Fall
- WF 321 Wood & Furniture Majors Studio
- SEM 354 Junior Seminar – Craft Topics/Practice
- Approved Studio Elective
- Art History Elective
- Academic Elective
Spring
- WF 322 Wood & Furniture Majors Studio
- Approved Studio Elective
- Studio Elective (Student Choice)
- Art History Elective
- Academic Elective
Senior
Fall
- WF 421 Wood & Furniture Majors Studio
- SEM 451 Professional Studio – Craft
- Approved Studio Elective
- 2 Academic Electives
Spring
- WF 422 Wood & Furniture Majors Studio
- SEM 452 Senior Synthesis
- Studio Elective (Student Choice)
- 2 Academic Electives
Course Catalog Listing
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