JOIN USOnce upon a time, it was a matter of luxury and was preferred only by the A-listers, the rich and the famous. Today, it is becoming a need for almost every household. We are talking about elegant interiors and stunning designer furniture. With many people shifting to cities, living spaces are turning smaller, driving the need for an efficient use of such spaces.
Perfect design
Moreover, with increasing disposable incomes and evolving standards of living, people are ready to spend on well-designed houses that are aesthetically pleasing. This rising trend is creating a demand for interior designers, and it is slowly emerging as an independent field from architecture and civil engineering.
It is often perceived that interior designers are probably interior decorators. However, being an interior decorator is something anyone with a creative mind could be. To be an interior designer, on the other hand, one needs ample amount of skills, knowledge and business acumen. Moreover, opportunities are vast in this space. From retail spaces to art galleries, light manufacturers to furniture manufacturers, everybody needs specialised interior designers. Amid all these sectors, designing furniture is emerging as a new found career option.
It is in the hands of a furniture designer to create furniture pieces that are either functional or stylish, or a combination of both. Though initial days of the career do not seem well-rewarding, the tables turn eventually as one gains practical experience and builds a reputation.
The job of a furniture designer is versatile. One can create exclusive designs, customised furnitures, work under larger furniture design firms or set up his or her own design firms.
For those intending to work under design firms, recruiting decisions revolve around the candidates’ professional experience, portfolio, creativity and people skills, apart from academic excellence.
So how does someone get there? Becoming a furniture designer does not require cutting wood and crafting it. It only demands a sense of creativity and aesthetics. To get acquainted with the world of patterns and designs, students can pursue a specialised degree in furniture design from a recognised university in fine arts or architecture.
Furniture designing is also a part of interior designing courses.
Presently, the furniture and furnishings market in India is pegged to be around $20 billion, with both taking an equal share. With the organised residential furniture market expected to become $1.3 billion in the next five years and the global industry also envisioning India as a future manufacturing base, there are clear indications of the need for a huge number of furniture designers every year. Having said that, the future is bright for those willing to try their hands at the creatively fulfilling path of furniture designing as a career option.
(The author is with Furlenco, Bengaluru)