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Appalachian State University

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Industrial Design (BS) - Furniture Design

About

Located just a short distance from the residential furniture capital of the world, Appalachian State University’s Industrial Design (BS) - Furniture Design program has a proud history of serving the furniture industry for more than 70 years.  The program is housed in Appalachian’s Department of Applied Design and focuses on design inquiry, creative problem-solving, user research, social and environmental concerns, and manufacturing requirements.

Through industry collaboration, personal exploration and the required Marketing minor, you will develop the necessary skills to compete in today’s furniture market. The curriculum offers a design-based education that emphasizes experiential skills, research, aesthetics, presentation, computer-aided design, critical thinking and professional development. In addition to the studio classes, you will also take foundation courses in product design, computer-assisted drafting (CAD), solid modeling, design drawing, and materials and processes (including wood, metals, plastics, rubbers, fibers and ceramics).

The department advises transfer students to begin the program in the summer in order to complete the program in three years.

See examples of student work

After Graduation

Employment: Students have gone on to a variety of jobs throughout the United States and internationally. See a list of employers in the right column.

Graduate School: Students have also gone on to pursue graduate degrees from Southern Methodist University, Appalachian State University, N.C. State University and Georgia Institute of Technology.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Student Profile: John Lalevee ’19
    Student Profile: John Lalevee ’19

    Lalevee combined his expertise in furniture design with his enthusiasm for automobiles by designing the body of Appalachian’s newest solar vehicle, ROSE — which stands for Racing on Solar Energy.

  • Student Profile: Ryan Decker
    Student Profile: Ryan Decker

    For the third consecutive year, an Appalachian student has been selected to receive the national Celia Moh Scholarship.

  • Student Profiles: Conscious Furniture Design class
    Student Profiles: Conscious Furniture Design class

    Four seniors in a studio course worked using the Japanese philosophy of Ma. Their work was showcased at the WantedDesign showcase in New York.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Program

  • Industrial Design (BS) - Product Design

Minors

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) - As an extension of the professional organization IDSA, the club participates in portfolio reviews, sets up group tours, hosts professional presentations and travels to district and national conferences.

American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) - As an extension of the professional furniture design industry, the club takes factory tours and coordinates visits to High Point Furniture Fair to better connect with the furniture industry.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Industrial Design has created a strong relationship with the Howest Academy in Belgium with student exchanges and the sharing of class experiences.  Also, summer studios are frequently taught in Prague, Czech Republic.

Admission Requirements

There is not an added requirement for initial admission, but there is a portfolio review after the student completes an introductory class sequence which will allow the student to take upper-level classes.

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Why Appalachian?

  • This is the only furniture design program in the country that requires a minor in Marketing.
  • Alumni have gone on to work at world renowned design firms, corporations and independent business ventures.
  • Student work has been recognized and shown at Greener Gadgets, Dwell® on Design, Designboom® Mart in Copenhagen, High Point Furniture Market and ICFF.
  • Students have won the national Creative Juice Competition sponsored by Google®, honorable mention in the Robert Bruce Thompson Lighting Competition, and “Best of Show” at the International Woodworking Fair. Numerous student group projects have placed in the Retail and Health Innovation Challenge hosted by Wake Forest University School of Business and sponsored by CVS Health.

Location

Boone campus only

Employers

  • GoPro
  • Touchstone 3D
  • Dorel Juvenile
  • Chrome Hearts
  • Hugh’s Handsbuilt 
  • Toshiba
  • Joe Gibbs Racing
  • Kikkerland
  • Nike
  • Pensole
  • Bernhardt Design
  • LIAT (Jasper Library Furniture)
  • Intel
  • Skookum Digital Works
  • Cree Inc.
  • Westfield Outdoors
  • Hunter Fan Company
  • WestRock
  • ECR Software
  • Newell Rubbermaid - Irwin Tools
  • Milwaukee Electronic Tool Corp.
  • Techtronic Industries
  • Lowe’s Home Improvement
  • Enventy’s
  • TOMY Toys
  • Mesa Home Products

Contacts

College of Fine and Applied Arts

Department of Applied Design

Industrial Design Program

Richard Elaver
Program Coordinator
828-262-7105
elaverra@appstate.edu

  • Department of Applied Design

    One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department Applied Design at Appalachian State University fosters excellence in design education, design research and professional placement. The department balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches while exploring an awareness of impact through design decisions on the global community. Faculty focus on a holistic approach to creative problem-solving by integrating sustainability and ethical responsibility in teaching and practice. The department offers bachelor’s degrees in apparel design and merchandising, industrial design and interior design.

  • College of Fine and Applied Arts

    Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of academic departments including Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.

    The College of Fine and Applied Arts is characterized by the educational approach of integrating theory and practice, offering students the knowledge and experience for continued education or employment. Programs within the College feature opportunities for hands-on experiential learning, international experiences and interdisciplinary engagement. The College emphasizes undergraduate teaching, while being active in grants and sponsored research. The College of Fine and Applied Arts provides a vibrant educational atmosphere, fostering the very best in teaching and learning.

    We offer:

    • BS, BA, and BFA degrees in 30 academic concentrations or specializations
    • MS degrees in 4 concentrations
    • Army ROTC program

    Community Service:

    Our students and faculty find unique ways to bring community service into the learning experience through experiences such as campus and community workshops, after-school programs for area school children, and work with local non-profits.

    Industry and Community Involvement:

    All departments are highly involved with their industry counterparts and seek opportunities to work with community partners. In addition, each department has an advisory board of industry professionals that assist in program development, internships, job placement and fundraising.

    International Education:

    The College of Fine and Applied Arts wants all students to have the opportunity for international learning experiences and has offered programs in:

    • Austria
    • China
    • Costa Rica
    • Cuba
    • Dominican Republic
    • England
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • Mexico
    • New Zealand
    • Nicaragua
    • Panama
    • Poland
    • Rwanda
    • South Africa
    • Taiwan

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