Description
Design and develop residential, office, and hospitality furniture, blending aesthetics, ergonomics, materials, and manufacturing to create functional, durable, and marketable pieces and coordinated collections.
- • Define cohesive design language, finishes, and functionality across furniture lines.
- • Create concept sketches, detailed drawings, renderings, and shop-ready CAD models for furniture pieces and collections.
- • Oversee prototype fabrication and produce technical drawings, cut lists, and specification sheets.
- • Iterate designs from prototypes to meet client requirements, cost targets, and manufacturing constraints.
- • Collaborate with engineering, upholstery, sourcing, marketing, sales, and clients to validate concepts.
- • Present designs, materials, and cost options to stakeholders and incorporate feedback.
- • Assess feasibility for ergonomics, stability, safety, durability, serviceability, and production methods.
- • Track trends, materials, and competitor products through shows, publications, and market research.
- • Specify materials, hardware, joinery, and finishes; evaluate vendors; and develop BOMs and cost estimates.
- • Create visual assets, finish boards, and assembly/installation guides for sales, packaging, and e-commerce.
- • Develop and document manufacturing processes; support factory trials and quality improvements.
- • Guide and review work of junior designers, drafters, and model makers.
- • Build scale models and full prototypes using wood, metal, upholstery, plastics, and 3D prints.
- • Test products for load, tip, comfort, finish durability, assembly, shipping, and maintenance.
- • Establish internal standards and ensure compliance with BIFMA/ANSI, flammability, and emissions regulations.
- • Contribute to line planning and user/market research to identify new furniture opportunities.
- • Advise clients on brand-aligned design language, materials palettes, and merchandising for furniture programs.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
