MFA: Furniture Design

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 related objects. Ranging from designs for production to one-of-a-kind objects, the work produced by our graduate students combines conceptual depth and highly considered aesthetic considerations with fluent use of materials and processes.

Contemporary theory is explored through our integrated studio/seminar curriculum as well as elective graduate seminars. Numerous reviews and critiques with our visiting critics and faculty help students to develop and evolve ideas.

current enrollment
graduate students: 16
undergraduates: 63

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• What are you looking for in application portfolios?

  We are looking for evidence of your ability and preparedness to undertake graduate-level work. It is important that your portfolio be professional and concisely presented since it will be reviewed by the department's Admissions Committee. Use only the highest quality images and include all work (not necessarily furniture only) that you feel best represents your abilities, along with the breadth of your design and creative thinking.

• If my making skills are limited, is it advisable to develop them prior to starting at RISD?

  Yes, you should try to develop your making and designing skills to the highest possible level through summer classes or other longer programs. We are happy to recommend classes and institutions that provide suitable training.

• Do you offer any financial assistance?

  Teaching assistantships and fellowships are available to all our graduate students. Fellowships are grants, and when combined with assistantships, amount to approximately $15,000 over a two-year course of study. RISD also offers other scholarships and advice on loan options.

• What do people who graduate from your program end up doing?

  Opportunities for furniture designers are plentiful, varied and dependent on your individual interests and direction. Many of our alumni have gone on to practice as individual studio artists, furniture and product designers or design consultants, while others have taken professional positions as in-house designers, teachers, and curators.

link to general questions on Graduate Studies at RISD

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“Students leave RISD with a strong sense of engagement and of how they can begin to mesh their own lives and design philosophies into a professional and meaningful existence.”

Peter Walker, Graduate Program Coordinator / Associate Professor

Rosanne Somerson, Department Head / Professor

Peter Walker, Graduate Program Coordinator / Associate Professor

John Dunnigan, Professor

Lothar Windels, Assistant Professor

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