BA in Applied Arts and Science - Applied Design (Furniture and Woodworking) in San Diego United States | San Diego State University

The Furniture Design and Woodworking concentration falls under the Applied Design focus within the Art degree program. This specialization aims to foster students' growth in crafting a refined artistic vision, blending intellectual, creative, and technical skills with their professional aspirations.

Coursework is designed to expand knowledge of Woodworking as a discipline, examining its historical roots and modern applications through research, hands-on exploration, and analysis of key topics in art and design. Equal importance is placed on technical mastery, creative breakthroughs, and experimental approaches. Though furniture creation serves as the primary emphasis, alternative artistic directions are equally valued. The program also investigates using unconventional materials like metal, glass, recycled paper, cement, and repurposed items for furniture and sculptural pieces. Students are urged to pursue interdisciplinary projects and consider international study programs to gain fresh viewpoints.

While undergraduate studies maintain a foundation in classic woodcraft and furniture construction, they equally prioritize cultivating concepts that reflect modern artistic discourse. The instructional approach combines classroom teaching, hands-on workshops, and presentations by both resident instructors and guest artists. Although furniture creation remains the program's central theme, diverse artistic methods are actively supported. The curriculum also delves into crafting furniture and sculptures from atypical materials including metal sheets, transparent glass, pressed paper, cement mixtures, and salvaged objects. The School of Art's flexible framework enables seamless collaboration across disciplines, allowing furniture students to engage with photography, three-dimensional art, two-dimensional media, and other departments. Students encounter various techniques for both traditional wood materials and alternative substances while examining artistic meaning and contemporary visual language with its historical foundations. Classes balance imaginative conceptual development with technical skill-building. The workshop environment facilitates carving, structural joinery, engineered wood applications, rotational forming, and surface treatments. Qualified participants may undertake specialized independent projects or participate in global academic exchanges.