Drawing rooms are not boring anymore. Changing lifestyles of people has created a big demand for designer furniture. And taking advantage of this demand are furniture designers -- the "creative engineers", who need to be trained in design planning and precision engineering for shaping products, creating effects and maintaining functionality.Courses in furniture design are being conducted by premier institutes, who demand artistic skills and conceptual ability in aspirants. National Institute of Design (NID) at Ahmedabad has a course in industrial design. An undertaking of the Ministry of Industry, the institute accepts applications from candidates scoring at least 45 per cent marks in class 12 examinations, for the undergraduate diploma programme. Admission to this four year course is strictly on merit as assessed at the 3-tier selection process. After the initial screening of the application forms, selected candidates are called for a written examination, which includes tests of sketching, proportion,awareness, perception, colour and skill. Those who obtain a minimum qualifying marks in the written examination, are called for a one day workshop and interview. The final list of candidates is prepared on the basis of the performance of the written test and interview. The first year is a foundation year common to all the students. During this year, students are introduced to basic skills and conceptual abilities necessary to become a designer. The subjects include freehand drawing, geometry (plane and 3D), introduction to materials, colour, graphic composition, design process and model making.
Specialisation begins in the second year. The industrial design programme offers specialisation in product design, ceramic design and furniture design. NID also conducts an advanced entry programme of two years duration in furniture design. This programme is open to candidates who have done their graduation in Architecture, Engineering (civil or mechanical), Fine Arts and Interior Designing. Diploma holders inthese fields with at least two years relevant experience are also eligible. The candidates are selected through a Common Entrance Examination of Design (CEED).
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, conducts a unique programme in furniture design under the product design course, to train engineers and other graduates through a part-time one semester course of 6-months duration. In case of experienced candidates or the industry sponsored ones, qualifications may be relaxed. The target of the course is to produce a new breed of design professionals in the shortest span of time. In order to get admission, candidates have to pass an aptitude test and interview, as the focus of the programme is on picking candidates who have a potential to become creative designers.
Other institutes offering courses in furniture design are Target Institute of Design and New Delhi Polytechnic for Women. The former conducts a one year course with a course fee of Rs 8,000.
Furniture designers have to express their ideasinitially through drawing. Thus, the professionals should be capable of preparing any kind of design sketch -- simple or intricate, traditional or contemporary. Sketching beautiful designs also requires artistic knowledge as well as a keen aesthetic sense. ``A good colour sense and sensitivity to ergonomics(the study of relationship between people and their environment) is also necessary, as designers have to select colours, materials and shapes in accordance with the customer's lifestyle,'' remarks Parul Manchanda , a freelance furniture designer. Moreover, designers should have team spirit and good communication skills, as they have to work in close association with other professionals to ensure feasibility of production and cost effectiveness of designs. The designers must also possess numerical ability as well as technical knowledge of the subject, as they are required to prepare working drawings indicating the dimensions of the furniture item. Along with the working drawings, designers also have to givewritten instructions to the production team. So, the ability to express oneself in a clear and logical manner is also necessary.
All the courses aim to inculcate these qualities in their students, while teaching them all the nuances of this discipline. From materials and processes and furniture technology to prototype making and history of period furniture -- many subjects are taught to the students. Besides topics like craft design, product form and aesthetics, one also has to know about folding furniture and metal and wood joinery. Students are also introduced to computer aided design as many interesting software packages for furniture design are now available.
Most of the institutes arrange an industrial training so that the students gain experience of working in the industrial environment. According to A.K. Satija, director of Target Institute of Design, `` This way students get the opportunity to see how units function and derive first-hand information about product manufacturing.'' Moreover,spending sometime in the industry also makes them aware of the various employment avenues.
Trainee designers are paid around Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 per month. Initially, the background of the candidate matters a lot, as certain organisations insist on taking graduates from premier institutes like NID or IIT. But later it is the quality of work and experience that is taken into account. Result-oriented designers can earn anything between Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 per month, depending on the organisation and the nature of job.
Furniture designers get job offers from the furniture manufacturing industry. Here, one has the option to work as a designer, a design manager or can work in the production team of the unit. The job of a designer is to create idea for new styles. At times they may work on modifying existing designs rather than creating entirely new ones. The design manager acts as a coordinator between the market, the company management , the design team and the production department. Furniture designerswho work in the production team , look after the fabrication of the products. These professionals also have to take care of the cost effectiveness of designs.
Furniture designers are also employed by interior showrooms like The Inside Story. Here, they work with the design team in creating unusual designs and effects using different materials in combination. So, the designers are required to have an in-depth knowledge of materials, processes and finishes. Then there is the option to work for interior design magazines, which inform the people about the latest trends and developments in the field of furniture design. Those who are academically inclined can go further degrees. Doing a course from a premier institute provides an excellent foundation for those who want to pursue higher education abroad. Such candidates not only get faculty positions in the institutes, but also get excellent openings in the design industry. Experienced designers are often picked up by the industry as design consultants, on thebasis of their work and skill. Their job is to give advice and instructions to the design and production department of the concerned organisation on the designing and manufacturing of a product.
Furniture designers who do not want to be tied-up with a particular organisation can work as freelancers. The growing domestic and export market for designer furniture also provides great opportunities for professional entrepreneurs. According to P. K. Dutta Roy of IIT (Delhi), who is involved with the design course offered by the institute,``Investment in the furniture business depends on the scale on which one wants to start. As such there is plenty of scope for small entrepreneurs in this line, as work can be done using small tools and kits. And for those who can afford international technology, sky can be the limit."
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
