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.