The MFA program in Furniture Design supports each student’s artistic development and articulation of a design philosophy through the conception, design and construction of furniture and objects. We emphasize individualized development through studio and scholarly research, and a hands-on approach to material exploration. Graduate students combine conceptual depth, highly considered aesthetic considerations, and a full range of making and production processes to create works that range from designs for production to one-of-a-kind objects.

Contemporary theory is integrated in the studio and seminar curricula as well as in elective graduate seminars. Diverse student interests enrich the community graduate experience, with issues such as demographic and economic shifts, cultural factors, sustainability and new materials, human interaction, and changing methods of marketing, communication, and fabrication leading much current interest.

Numerous reviews, critiques, field trips and lectures by distinguished visiting artists and designers help students to better articulate and expand their work. Emphasizing varied approaches, our curriculum encourages and enables a rich environment for exploration of new knowledge and development of new concepts. Our Department engages in partnered external research and showcases student work in domestic and international exhibits annually.

Graduate students culminate their MFA studies with a written thesis and solo thesis exhibition, as well as a group exhibition with graduate students in all departments.