Description

INTERNATIONAL DESIGNER MAKER COURSE

Learn to design and make beautiful furniture

Name: International Designer Maker | Furniture Making in the UK (Copy)
SKU: 2day-tool-1-1-1-1-3
Price: 16750.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

A six-month intensive furniture making course in the beautiful English Lake District, designed for aspiring makers from around the world.

Waters & Acland furniture making workshop

Next Course: September 2027

6-Month Intensive course

Small class Size of 6 students

No Experience Required

THE COURSE

Furniture making from the ground up

Whether you’re completely new to furniture making or looking to take your existing skills to a professional level, the International Designer Maker Course gives you six months to immerse yourself in the workshop.

You’ll learn through a combination of structured projects, practical tuition and your own furniture designs, developing the skills needed to design, build and finish high-quality furniture.

No prior experience is needed. You’ll work alongside experienced tutors and renowned designer Will Acland, developing professional-level skills while making beautiful, bespoke furniture.

WHY WATERS & ACLAND?

A small school with a big focus on making

We are passionate about teaching and committed to producing skilled, confident furniture makers.

Expert tuition

Learn from experienced furniture makers and designers, including award-winning designer Will Acland.

Small classes

With a maximum of six students, you’ll receive close, individual tuition throughout the course.

Professional skills

Build a thorough understanding of hand tools, machinery, joinery, veneering, finishing and furniture construction.

Your own designs

Develop your own ideas and turn them into finished pieces of furniture during the second term.

FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Study furniture making in the Lake District

Our students come from all over the world, including the US, Canada, Australia and Europe. Many have gone on to work in leading furniture workshops, establish their own businesses, or continue furniture making as a lifelong passion.

The International Designer Maker Course is particularly suited to students travelling to the UK for an extended period of study. We’ll help answer your questions about the course and make the most of your time with us.

If you’re considering joining us from overseas, get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss the course and your individual circumstances.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

A complete furniture making education

The course covers everything from fundamental workshop skills through to advanced furniture making and design.

Hand tools

Tool selection, preparation, sharpening and confident use of planes, chisels and other essential hand tools.

Joinery

Develop a strong foundation in cabinetmaking and traditional hand-cut and machine-made joinery.

Wood machining

Learn to use workshop machinery and power tools safely, accurately and effectively.

Furniture design

Develop furniture designs using SketchUp and Layout and learn how to turn ideas into workable pieces.

Specialist skills

Explore veneering, marquetry, carving, laminating, jig making, wood turning and more.

Finishing

Learn professional approaches to surface preparation, finishing, French polishing and final assembly.

TERM 1

Total Immersion

The first term is an intensive period of learning, designed to build your core furniture making skills and confidence.

14 WEEKS

Building a solid foundation

Over the first 14 weeks, you’ll develop the fundamental skills needed to work confidently in a professional furniture workshop.

Hand tool preparation and use
Wood machining and power tool operation
Traditional joinery techniques
Carving, veneering and jig making

You’ll complete a series of set projects designed by Will Acland. Each project builds on the skills developed in the previous one, taking you from fundamental techniques through to increasingly complex furniture.

SET PROJECTS

Learn by making

Throughout the first term, a series of carefully designed projects gives you the opportunity to put your new skills into practice.

PROJECT 01

Low Table

A low table with exposed joinery, introducing accurate marking, cutting, assembly and finishing.

PROJECT 02

Dovetailed Box

A dovetailed box with mitred lining, developing accuracy and introducing more refined cabinetmaking techniques.

PROJECT 03

Tri Table

A sculptural table incorporating laminating and a circular marquetry top, bringing together a range of specialist techniques.

PROJECT 04

Wall Hanging Cabinet

A wall hanging cabinet with sculpted shelves, introducing more advanced design, shaping, fitting and finishing.

TERM 2

Building Confidence

In the second term, you’ll begin working on your own furniture designs. These projects are tailored to your interests and goals, allowing you to develop your own style as both a designer and maker.

Our tutors will guide you through the design, planning and making process, helping you develop your ideas and execute them to a professional standard.

We’ll also introduce you to the practical considerations of setting up your own furniture making business, from workshop setup through to working with clients.

THE LAKE DISTRICT

Why study furniture making in the UK?

The UK has a rich heritage of furniture making, and our school is located in the stunning English Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

By studying with us, you’ll spend six months immersed in an inspiring environment where furniture making, design and creativity are at the centre of everyday life.

6 students

Maximum intake per course

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Travelling to the UK to study?

If you’re travelling to the UK from overseas, we can help answer questions about the course and what you’ll need to consider before travelling.

For the latest information about visiting the UK, including visa requirements, please refer to the official GOV.UK guidance.

Visit GOV.UK for visa information →

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

What you’ll cover

Workshop foundations

Tool selection, preparation and use
The Waters & Acland sharpening method
Skill-building objects
Control of chisels and planes
Accurate marking and measuring
Understanding workshop drawings
Full machine shop training
Selecting and purchasing timber

Joinery & construction

Cutting joints by hand and machine
Surface treatments and finishing
Adhesive selection and use
Project assembly
Dovetail masterclass
Door fitting and hingeing
Edge profiling and shaping
Jig making for portable and machine tools

Specialist techniques

Hand shaping and relief carving
Veneering and marquetry fundamentals
Advanced veneering and marquetry
Design and use of moulds and formers
Vacuum bags and membrane presses
Selection and cutting of laminates and veneers
Laminating components
French polishing
Wood turning

READY TO JOIN US?

Start your journey as a designer maker

No previous woodworking experience or formal qualifications are needed. If you’re serious about learning furniture making and ready to spend six months immersed in the workshop, we’d love to hear from you.

ENQUIRE ABOUT THE COURSE

Get in touch

Interested in joining the International Designer Maker Course? Complete the form below and we’ll get back to you with further information and availability.

Additional information

Dates	12/06/23 – 13/06/23 (D/M/Y), 30/10/23 – 31/10/23 (D/M/Y)

International Designer Maker | Furniture Making in the UK (Copy)