17 Furniture Designer Interview Questions and Answers

Furniture designers create functional and beautiful pieces that are used in homes, offices, and other settings. If you’re interested in becoming a furniture designer, you’ll need to have a strong portfolio of your work, as well as be prepared to answer a variety of furniture designer interview questions.

Your potential employer will want to know if you have the creative vision and technical skills needed to design furniture that meets the needs of their customers. They’ll also want to know if you have the ability to work within a budget and meet deadlines.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample furniture designer interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the different types of joints used in furniture design? Can you name a few examples?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of furniture design. It also shows the interviewer that you have experience with different types of joints and how they’re used in furniture construction. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list out the names of each joint type and describe what they are and how they work.

Example: “There are many different types of joints used in furniture design. I’ve worked with several different types throughout my career, including mortise-and-tenon, dovetail and lap joints. Each one has its own unique purpose and function, but all of them help keep furniture pieces together.”

What are the most important considerations when designing furniture for the home?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the furniture industry and how you approach design projects. In your answer, explain what factors influence your decisions when designing home furniture and highlight any specific skills or experiences that help you make these considerations.

Example: “The most important consideration in my designs is the client’s needs. I always start by asking them about their lifestyle and preferences so I can create a piece of furniture that fits their unique situation. For example, if they have children, pets or want to entertain often, I might incorporate more storage space into the design. Another factor I consider is the style of the room where the furniture will go. I try to match the color scheme and overall aesthetic of the room with the furniture I design.”

How do you determine the size of a piece of furniture before you begin designing it?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you approach a project and the steps you take to complete it. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, attention to detail and ability to work independently.

Example: “I first measure the space where I will be designing the furniture piece. Then, I determine what type of furniture is needed for that space. For example, if I’m designing a bedroom set, I’ll need to know whether the bed needs to fit a child or adult. Next, I consider the style of the room and the color scheme. This helps me decide which materials are best suited for the design.”

What is your process for designing a new piece of furniture?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the steps you take to complete a project. Your answer should include information about what you do before, during and after designing furniture.

Example: “I start by researching my client’s preferences and style. I then sketch out several ideas for the piece of furniture they want me to design. After that, I create a 3D model of the furniture using computer software. Once I have a digital version of the furniture, I test it for durability and make any necessary adjustments. Finally, I ship the finished product to my clients.”

Provide an example of a piece of furniture you designed and explain how you made it more functional.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your design process and how you apply it to furniture. They want to know that you can create functional pieces of furniture, so they may also be looking for examples of pieces that were not as functional.

Example: “In my last role, I designed a new line of desks for an office supply company. The client wanted the desks to have plenty of storage space but also wanted them to look sleek and modern. To make the desk functional, I used open shelving on one side of the desk and closed cabinets on the other side. This allowed employees to store their supplies in the open shelves while keeping important documents in the closed cabinets.”

If you had to design a piece of furniture for a specific purpose, such as a desk for a writer, what would it look like?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you apply your skills and knowledge of design to create functional furniture. In your answer, describe the purpose of the desk and what features it would have that would make it useful for a writer.

Example: “If I had to design a desk for a writer, I would want to ensure that it was large enough to hold all of their writing materials while also being small enough to fit in a home office. To accomplish both of these things, I would use a long table with drawers on either side to store supplies and keep them organized. The surface of the desk would be made from a smooth material so that it’s easy to write on and clean up after.”

What would you do if you were given a budget for a piece of furniture design but the materials you wanted were outside of the budget?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle challenges in the workplace. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to find materials that fit within the budget and still achieve the design you want.

Example: “If I was given a budget for a piece of furniture but the materials I wanted were outside of it, I would first try to find ways to reduce the cost of the project without sacrificing quality or aesthetics. If I couldn’t do that, I would look into finding cheaper alternatives that are similar to the materials I originally wanted. For example, if I needed leather but the budget only allowed me to use faux leather, I would research different types of faux leather until I found one that matched my original vision.”

How well do you work with others? Provide an example of a time when you collaborated with others on a design project.

Furniture designers often work with other professionals, such as architects and interior designers. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate well with others on a team. In your answer, explain that you enjoy working in teams. Explain how you like to communicate with your teammates and share ideas.

Example: “I have always enjoyed collaborating with others on projects. I find it helpful to bounce ideas off of my teammates and get their feedback. When I worked at my previous job, I collaborated with an architect and interior designer on a project for a local business. We all had different perspectives on the design, which helped us create something unique.”

Do you have experience using computer-aided design software?

Employers ask this question to see if you have the necessary skills and experience using computer-aided design software. They want to know that you can use their preferred software, so it’s important to mention any previous experience with specific programs in your answer. If you don’t have much experience with CAD software, explain what other types of design software you’re familiar with.

Example: “I’ve used AutoCAD for several years now, which is why I’m excited to apply for this position. I also have some experience using SketchUp, SolidWorks and Fusion 360. These are all great tools for furniture designers, as they allow us to create 3D models of our designs. This helps clients visualize what their furniture will look like before we even begin production.”

When designing a piece of furniture, do you consider environmental factors such as the materials used and the manufacturing process?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your commitment to sustainability and the environment. Your answer should show that you are aware of environmental issues and how they relate to furniture design.

Example: “I am very passionate about sustainable design, so I always consider environmental factors when designing a piece of furniture. For example, I would use recycled materials whenever possible and choose non-toxic paints and finishes. I also prefer to work with companies that have eco-friendly manufacturing processes. In my last role, I worked with a company that used 100% renewable energy for all its facilities. This was one of the reasons why I chose to work there.”

We want to be known for producing high-quality furniture. How would you define quality furniture?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can contribute to a company’s goals. When answering, define quality furniture by describing what makes it high-quality. You may also want to mention some specific examples of furniture that you think is high-quality.

Example: “Quality furniture is made with durable materials that are easy to clean and maintain. It should be aesthetically pleasing and functional for its intended purpose. I believe that all furniture should last for many years so that customers get their money’s worth. For example, my parents have a dining room table from when I was a child. They still use it today, which shows me that well-made furniture lasts.”

Describe your personal design style.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your design style and how it aligns with their company’s brand. When you answer, try to describe a few of the most important aspects of your personal design style. You can also mention any specific projects that showcase these elements.

Example: “My personal design style is modern but comfortable. I like clean lines and simple shapes, but I also enjoy incorporating natural materials into my designs. For example, in my last position, I designed a living room set using wood for the legs and arms of the chairs and sofa. The top was made from leather, which gave the furniture a warm feel. It complemented the sleek metal frame perfectly.”

What makes a piece of furniture functional?

Functional furniture is a key part of the design process. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how important functionality is when designing furniture. In your answer, explain what makes functional furniture and give an example of a time you designed functional furniture.

Example: “Functionality is one of the most important aspects of furniture design. A piece of furniture needs to be functional in order for it to serve its purpose. For instance, I once had a client who needed a desk that could fit two monitors on top and have plenty of storage space underneath. To meet these requirements, I created a desk with drawers and shelves where they could store their electronics and other supplies. This helped them complete their work more efficiently.”

Which furniture designers do you admire and why?

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your background and experience in the industry. It also helps them understand what you value as a designer. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention designers who have inspired you or helped you develop your skills.

Example: “I admire Jonathan Adler for his bold use of color and patterns. I think he has created some really unique pieces that are both functional and beautiful. Another furniture designer I admire is Thomas Paul because of his ability to create simple yet elegant designs. His work is timeless and always looks great in any home.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a furniture designer to have?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and what you think is important in the role. They may also use it as an opportunity to share their own thoughts on the matter. When preparing for your interview, consider which skills are most important to you and why. Think of a few examples of how you’ve used those skills in your previous roles.

Example: “I believe that communication is one of the most important skills for a furniture designer to have. I find that many designers can create beautiful pieces but struggle with communicating them effectively to clients. In my last position, I helped train new designers on effective ways to communicate their ideas to clients so they could get feedback early in the design process.”

How often do you update your design portfolio?

Employers want to know that you’re constantly learning and improving your skills. They may ask this question to see if you have a portfolio or website where they can view your work. In your answer, let the employer know how often you update your portfolio and what kind of projects you include in it.

Example: “I try to add at least one new project to my portfolio every month. I find that this is enough time for me to reflect on each piece and decide which ones are ready to be added. I also like to keep some pieces private until they’re complete so I don’t give away any spoilers. My portfolio includes furniture designs from all different styles and price points.”

There is a trend in your area that you don’t agree with. How do you avoid incorporating it into your designs?

This question is a great way to assess your creativity and ability to think outside the box. It also shows how you can adapt to trends in your industry. When answering this question, make sure to explain why you disagree with the trend and what you would do instead.

Example: “I recently saw an advertisement for a furniture store that was selling bean bag chairs as dining room tables. I don’t agree with this at all because it doesn’t fit the purpose of a table. If I were designing a dining room set, I would use a regular table and add some extra seating by using ottomans or benches. This would give people more options when they are eating dinner and allow them to have more space between each other.”