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Minneapolis College of Art and Design · Courses

FURN

9 courses with the subject FURN, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.

FURN 2000Exploring 3D: Furniture and Sculpture3

This course explores the shared concerns of furniture and sculpture; their similarities in making and their contrasts in concept, enabling students to individually pursue ideas within both disciplines. This hands-on studio course focuses on learning and applying techniques in making contemporary furniture and sculpture beyond the 3D Foundation experience. Students create objects that lead to a new aesthetic and creative possibilities through expanded processes and new material options.

Subject
FURN
Credits (min)
3
Credits (max)
3
Credit unit
credits
Type
course
Edition
2026
Source
www.mcad.edu
FURN 3000Furniture Design: Materials and Techniques3

A prerequisite to all other furniture courses, this course examines both wood and metal as primary elements in traditional and sculptural furniture construction. Students learn to design and construct furniture through basic to advanced instruction in a wide range of techniques, from plasma cutting and welding to metal and wood lathes, other power tools, and floor machinery. Advanced hand tools are explored. Each project includes a drawing component to allow conceptual exploration and refinement of presentation skills. Demonstrations, lectures, and field trips to local lumber and steel yar Furniture Design Courses (select five)

Subject
FURN
Credits (min)
3
Credits (max)
3
Credit unit
credits
Type
course
Edition
2026
Source
www.mcad.edu
Prerequisite
Foundation: 3D
FURN 3010Furniture: Studio Methods3

This course investigates furniture construction by examining and deconstructing the design process through drawing, computer rendering, and model making. Critiques take place at all stages of the design process. The class also examines current designers and their processes through reading assignments, in-class discussions, and lectures by visiting design professionals.

Subject
FURN
Credits (min)
3
Credits (max)
3
Credit unit
credits
Type
course
Edition
2026
Source
www.mcad.edu
Prerequisite
Foundation: 3D
FURN 3056Furniture: Textile and Surface3

This class conceptualizes textiles and furniture surfaces as skin or wrapped objects and delves into the ergonomic relationship of furniture with the human body. Students explore industrial sewing machines, sewing from temporary patterns, applying adhesives, and weaving, as well as traditional and nontraditional methods. Topics include a range of materials, as well as mining conservation and environmental concerns. Each project incorporates lectures, demonstrations, and critiques. Off-campus professional networking opportunities are also immersed within the semester.

Subject
FURN
Credits (min)
3
Credits (max)
3
Credit unit
credits
Type
course
Edition
2026
Source
www.mcad.edu
Prerequisite
Furniture Design: Materials and Techniques
FURN 3080Production Design3

This course focuses on the design of limited- and mass-production furniture. Students examine flat-pack, sustainable materials, and local and global outsourcing. The differences and similarities of each type of production model are explored through studio assignments utilizing computer modeling and full-scale prototyping. Group critiques and discussions focus on the relationship of craftsmanship and technology in each student’s work.

Subject
FURN
Credits (min)
3
Credits (max)
3
Credit unit
credits
Type
course
Edition
2026
Source
www.mcad.edu
Prerequisite
Theory and Methodology of Furniture Design, Digital Fabrication
FURN 3090Digital Fabrication3

This course explores the expanding creative possibilities of digital fabrication with computer-generated, found (appropriated), and scanned digital objects. Students learn advanced three-dimensional modeling techniques in formZ Pro to create ideation, form development, presentation, and fabrication models in addition to techniques for capturing existing objects with MCAD’s 3D Laser Scanners. Objects are digitally fabricated from various materials and incorporated into finished works using MCAD’s 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC router systems while outsourcing is explored as an effective pra Intermedia Option (select three)

Subject
FURN
Credits (min)
3
Credits (max)
3
Credit unit
credits
Type
course
Edition
2026
Source
www.mcad.edu
Prerequisite
Foundation: 3D and Foundation: Media 1, or faculty permission
FURN 3093Advanced Material Exploration3

This course is an exploration of furniture/objects created using a variety of materials, including fiberglass, carbon fiber, solid surface(s), and injection molding. Projects range from handmade studio works to production-ready designs. Techniques and tools include mold-making, epoxy resins, gel coat, vacuum bag, hand and machine shaping, and CNC routing. Students examine conservation and environmental concerns throughout the production and function of each creation. Each project consists of lectures and demonstrations with group and individual critiques throughout each assignment.

Subject
FURN
Credits (min)
3
Credits (max)
3
Credit unit
credits
Type
course
Edition
2026
Source
www.mcad.edu
Prerequisite
Furniture Design: Material and Techniques, Digital Fabrication
FURN 5010Advanced Furniture Design Seminar3

This course is for the advanced student who is interested in developing a self-motivated, sustained body of work through an understanding of the relationships between the formal, conceptual, and contextual aspects of sculptural form. Examining their own studio practice in relation to current topics in the field, students expand their perspectives while developing their work. Studio practice is supported by development of critical thinking skills, individual and group critiques, guest critiques, writing exercises, and readings covering artists, criticism, and theory.

Subject
FURN
Credits (min)
3
Credits (max)
3
Credit unit
credits
Type
course
Edition
2026
Source
www.mcad.edu
Prerequisite
Four 3000-level furniture courses, successful Junior Review
FURN 5100Senior Project: Furniture Design6

During their senior year, every furniture design major is required to develop and complete a substantial body of work in a specific field. This course provides a forum for the critical evaluation of this work and curatorial guidance in preparation for the Commencement Exhibition. Course content includes critical readings, position paper, individual and group discussion, and informational meetings. Required for all seniors.

Subject
FURN
Credits (min)
6
Credits (max)
6
Credit unit
credits
Type
course
Edition
2026
Source
www.mcad.edu
Prerequisite
successful Junior Review, Senior standing

Source: Minneapolis College of Art and Design's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61