Are you looking to write your perfect Furniture designer CV?
Crafting a well-crafted curriculum vitae is crucial in your journey towards landing that dream job as a furniture designer.
A well-prepared CV not only showcases your qualifications and experience but also highlights your unique design sensibilities, your passion for creating functional yet aesthetically pleasing furniture pieces and your ability to bring innovative ideas to life.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a complete step-by-step guide, useful tips and examples to help you create a compelling CV that stands out from the crowd. Let’s begin!
I am a skilled, hardworking and creative Furniture Designer with great attention to detail. I have a proven track record of being able to work on multiple projects and complete the work on time and within budget. My outstanding knowledge of design programs allows me to fully unleash my inner creativity by working on attractive 2D and 3D projects. I also have excellent knowledge of carpentry and upholstery and this, along with my patience and diligence, is always reflected in my final designs.
Achievements
Distinction in HND Furniture Design
Achieved three A-Levels at grade A
Education
2011 – 2013
HND
Burnley College
Grade achieved: Distinction
Relevant Modules:
Production Technology
CAD Design
Business Marketing
Materials Technology
Visual Communication and Presentation
2009 – 2011 Results: Product Design: A I.T: A Business: A
A Levels
Witham Sixth Form
Work experience
Feb 2015 – Present
Furniture Designer ACE Personnel
Main duties performed:
Designing of bespoke furniture – chairs, tables, desks, sofas, beds and cupboards – for the residential, commercial and healthcare markets
Meeting with clients to establish customer specification
Creating concepts, storyboards and sketches based on the specification
Planning and conducting site visits
Surveying kitchen space and taking measurements
Creating stunning drawings and artworks by hand and on the computer
Creating 3D floor plans displaying existing and old furniture units
Using scrap wood, metals and stones to create sample pieces or test materials
Researching current interior trends to create unique, high-end products
Liaising with the Interior Design team on a regular basis
Developing functional prototypes and presenting them to the clients
Invoicing and ensuring that the work is signed off to the customer’s satisfaction
Working under budget considering material costs and availability
Working alongside the marketing team to promote upcoming designs
Assisting managers with key decision-making in the organisation
Nov 2013 – Jan 2015
Junior CAD Technician Express Solutions Ltd
Main duties performed:
Working with finalised hand-drawings to create 3D production drawings using the latest Computer Aided Design software
Using designs to create estimates of costs and product maintenance
Working alongside the engineering team to discuss and develop designs
Creating surface models to portray a flat representation of the design, and 3D models to provide a virtual tour and presenting them to clients
Attending meetings with various teams and/or customers to present, discuss and amend designs that have been created
Qualifications
Level 3 NVQ Furniture and Furnishings – City & Guilds
Woodworking Course – Rowden Atelier
First Aid – St John Ambulance
Skills
Skilled in the use of AutoCAD 2D, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and 3DS Max with a high level of efficiency in digital photography and technical drawing
A steady hand and an artistic eye
Great sense of self-discipline during independent projects
Excellent communication skills in a team and with customers
Hobbies and interests
I like to spend the majority of my free time creating artwork or visiting art galleries. I enjoy oil painting and often retreat to scenic areas to carry out my art projects; here, I also tend to find inspiration for my work in furniture design. Additionally, I enjoy socialising with my friends and family whenever I have some free time.
Mr Paul Anders Manager, Express Solutions Ltd Address: 8 Field St, Leeds, DJ1 7DH Tel: 0774 4568 7685 Email:[email protected]
Preview
What makes this CV good and effective?
A well-structured personal profile: The personal profile succinctly conveys the candidate’s passion for furniture design and highlights their unique design style, encouraging the employer to continue reading the rest of the CV.
Relevant qualifications: The CV includes the candidate’s relevant educational qualifications in the “Education” section, and any additional design courses they’ve completed in the “Qualifications” section of their CV. This makes the candidate appear to be fully qualified for the role.
Extensive experience: The candidate’s work experience is comprehensively detailed, with a focus on key achievements and responsibilities within each role.
Clear layout and formatting: The CV uses a clean, easy-to-read font and consistent formatting, making it visually appealing and user-friendly. The heading stands out with large font size and simple design features, making it easier for employers to navigate the different sections of the CV.
No irrelevant details: The candidate has omitted irrelevant personal details and unrelated work experiences, ensuring that the CV remains focused on their career in furniture design.
Utilise a clear and professional font: There are many fonts you can choose from. Select a font like Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Garamond or Calibri for easy readability, ensuring your CV appears polished and modern.
Maintain consistent formatting: Keep fonts, sizes and formatting consistent throughout the document, creating a visually harmonious CV. When emailing your CV to employers, ensure you save it in PDF format to keep the formatting.
Organise your CV logically: Arrange sections in a logical order, beginning with your personal details, followed by the personal profile, qualifications, experience and so on. Consider using a CV template to ensure your CV has the correct structure and layout.
Use bullet points for clarity: Employers are busy people and don’t have time to read through big chunks of text presented in paragraphs. Present your achievements and responsibilities in a bulleted format to enhance readability and conciseness.
Incorporate CV key words: Begin each bullet point with an action verb like “Designed”, “Collaborated” or “Sourced” to convey proactiveness and impact. For instance, “Designed innovative furniture pieces that received industry acclaim.”
Choose an appropriate CV length: Keep your CV concise, ideally within two pages, focusing on the most relevant and impactful information. The shorter, the better!
Your CV’s personal information section is where you provide essential information about yourself to potential employers. It should include your full name, contact details (email and phone number) and your address.
You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if you have one).
This section ensures that recruiters can easily reach out to you and is usually placed at the top of your CV.
In your CV, the personal profile is a concise section that provides a brief overview of your background, highlighting your skills, experience, and career objectives.
Consider it a short introduction to your CV.
How to write an effective personal profile:
Concise Introduction: Start with a brief introduction that highlights your profession and years of experience. Example: “An accomplished furniture designer with over 8 years of experience…”
Key Skills: Mention your core skills and expertise related to furniture design. Example: “Proficient in 3D modelling software such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks.”
Highlight Achievements: Showcase your most significant accomplishments and projects. Example: “Led a team in designing and launching a best-selling furniture line.”
I am an accomplished Furniture Designer with over 8 years of experience, consistently delivering innovative designs. I led a team in designing and launching a best-selling furniture line, demonstrating my ability to combine creativity with market success. Proficient in 3D modelling software such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks, I bring precision and vision to every project.
Achievements and awards
Your CV’s achievements and awards section is where you share your most important successes and standout moments.
You should include things like awards you’ve received, promotions you’ve earned, any exceptional grades or qualifications, and other accomplishments that make you stand out in your field.
This section gives employers a quick snapshot of what you’ve achieved in your career and it can make a strong impression. So, don’t hold back—show off your best moments in this section!
Designed and crafted bespoke furniture pieces for high-end clients, resulting in a 30% increase in client satisfaction.
Earned a First-Class Honours degree in Furniture Design, showcasing exceptional academic performance.
Volunteered at a local community centre, teaching furniture design skills to underprivileged youth.
Coordinated and hosted an industry networking event, connecting furniture designers and professionals.
Work experience
Your CV’s work experience section outlines your career journey, including job titles, company names and employment periods that highlight your roles and achievements.
Make sure you tailor this section to the specific job you’re applying for by highlighting experiences and accomplishments that are most relevant to the position and using strong action verbs to convey your impact and contributions.
Don’t include any irrelevant or outdated jobs here.
August 2017 – Present
Senior Furniture Designer Furniture Creations Ltd
Main duties and responsibilities performed:
Led the design team in creating innovative, sustainable furniture pieces, resulting in a 25% increase in annual sales.
Collaborated with marketing to launch a new furniture collection, featured in “Designer Homes” magazine.
Managed the entire design process from concept to production, ensuring quality and adherence to timelines.
Implemented eco-friendly materials, reducing the company’s environmental footprint by 30%.
Mentored junior designers, fostering their growth and creative abilities.
The academic history section of your CV is where you provide a comprehensive overview of your academic history and qualifications.
This section highlights your educational journey, listing the institutions you’ve attended, the types of qualifications you’ve obtained and the dates of completion.
September 2012 – June 2014 Results: Design and Technology (A), Art and Design (A), Mathematics (B).
A-Levels
London College of Arts and Sciences
Qualifications & training
The professional training and qualifications section of your CV is where you provide a concise list of any additional training, certifications, or qualifications that enhance your skills and make you a stronger candidate for the job.
For example, you would include certifications like First Aid training, professional development courses, or industry-specific qualifications that showcase your expertise and commitment to continuous learning.
For a furniture designer, that could include certifications in sustainable design practices, proficiency in 3D modelling software such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks and any relevant workshops or courses attended to further hone your craft.
Example:
Level 5 Bachelor’s Degree in Furniture Design – University of London
Level 4 HND in Furniture Making and Design – Birmingham City University
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Woodworking – The Open University
Level 2 BTEC Certificate in Design and Craft – Manchester College of Art
Level 1 Award in Basic Carpentry Skills – London Woodwork Institute
Skills and abilities
This is a crucial part of your CV where you showcase your unique talents and competencies. This section should highlight the specific skills that make you a proficient furniture designer.
You should include both technical skills, like proficiency in design software and woodworking techniques, as well as soft skills, such as creativity, attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively with clients.
For example, you might mention your proficiency in using CAD software to create detailed furniture designs or your exceptional craftsmanship in working with various materials like wood, metal and upholstery.
Additionally, emphasise your excellent problem-solving abilities, as well as your effective communication skills when discussing design ideas with clients and collaborating with a team.
Example:
Furniture design: Proficient in creating innovative furniture designs with a strong portfolio of custom pieces, such as bespoke wooden tables and ergonomic chairs, which received positive feedback from clients.
CAD software: Skilled in using industry-standard CAD software like AutoCAD and SketchUp to produce detailed 2D and 3D design models, facilitating accurate planning and visualisation.
Woodworking expertise: Highly experienced in working with various wood types, evidenced by the successful crafting of complex joinery, dovetail joints and hand-carved details in producing high-quality wooden furniture.
Furniture Design: Proficiency in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing furniture pieces, from concept to completion.
Prototyping: Creating physical prototypes to test and refine designs before full-scale production.
Material selection: Ability to choose the right materials, considering durability and aesthetics.
Attention to detail: Meticulous focus on precision, ensuring flawless finishing and design elements.
Project management: Capability to manage multiple projects, meeting deadlines and budgets.
Client collaboration: Effective communication with clients to understand and fulfil their design requirements.
Upholstery skills: Proficiency in fabric and leather upholstery techniques.
Ergonomics knowledge: Understanding of ergonomics for designing comfortable and functional furniture.
3D modelling: Creating 3D models for better visualization of designs.
Finishing techniques: Expertise in various finishing methods, including staining and varnishing.
Hobbies & interests (optional)
In this section, you should briefly mention your personal interests and activities outside of work. This section provides a glimpse into your personality and can help potential employers understand you better.
You might consider mentioning hobbies such as woodworking as a pastime, which not only showcases your passion but also your dedication to working with wood.
Activities like sketching and drawing can highlight your creative abilities and your knack for visualizing designs.
If you engage in furniture restoration or have a collection of antique furniture, it demonstrates your commitment to preserving the history and craftsmanship of the field.
Visiting art exhibitions can reflect your appreciation for art and design, which can serve as a wellspring of inspiration for your work.
DIY furniture projects underscore your hands-on approach and commitment to sustainable design, all of which can add depth to your CV, providing potential employers with a more comprehensive understanding of your interests and how they align with your role as a furniture designer.
Example:
Passionate about woodworking and craftsmanship, I spend my free time creating bespoke furniture pieces that blend aesthetics and functionality. This hands-on experience enhances my design insights and fuels my dedication to delivering innovative furniture solutions.
Professional references
The professional references section of a CV is where you list individuals who can vouch for your work and character, typically including their names, positions and contact details.
Employers want to verify your qualifications and gauge the reliability and competence you bring to the role by checking with your provided references.
Make sure that the referees you choose have a good understanding of your professional abilities and can provide positive insights into your work ethic and skills.
Your referees can be former employers, supervisors, colleagues, managers, teachers, tutors or other professional contacts who have worked with you in the past and know you well.
Example:
Mr. Robert Smith Managing Director, WoodCraft Creations Ltd. Address: 25 Oakwood Lane, London NW3 4RT Tel: +44 20 1234 5678 Email:[email protected]
Ms. Helen Evans Senior Furniture Designer, FurniArt Innovations Address: 18 Maple Street, Manchester M1 5JH Tel: +44 161 9876 5432 Email:[email protected]
Note: If you do not wish to disclose your references on your CV, you should write, “References are available upon request.”
Showcase a strong portfolio: Add a link on your CV to your personal portfolio, featuring a well-structured portfolio where you present high-quality images and descriptions of your best furniture design projects, such as a bespoke oak dining table or a space-saving modular shelving unit.
Tailor your CV: Customise your CV for each job application by aligning your skills and experiences with the specific requirements of the position, whether it’s for a contemporary furniture designer or a traditional woodcraft specialist. Refer to the job’s personal specifications.
Highlight technical skills: Emphasise your proficiency in using design software, carpentry tools and knowledge of various materials, demonstrating how you can create intricate designs or eco-friendly furniture pieces, for instance. You can do this most effectively in a dedicated “Skills” section or in the “Work Experience” section.
Emphasise creativity: Employ vibrant language to describe your innovative designs, whether it’s a sleek, space-saving wardrobe or an ergonomically designed chair that enhances comfort and posture.
Seek professional advice: Consider consulting a career expert or CV writing service to receive valuable insights and feedback on your CV, refining it for maximum impact in the competitive world of furniture design.
Written by Sobhan Mohmand Sobhan is a qualified Careers Advisor and Professional CV Writer with over 10 years of experience in helping job seekers get a job. He is a Member of the Careers Development Institute (CDI) and is listed on the official UK Register of Career Development Professionals. He holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (QCF).
