This micro-credential introduces learners to the fundamental principles of furniture design through a practical and application-oriented approach. It focuses on developing basic skills in hand sketching, design principles, ergonomics, and colour theory.

Learners will explore how to translate ideas into visual sketches, design simple furniture pieces based on user needs, and make informed decisions related to proportions, comfort, colours, materials, and aesthetics.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to create and present an initial furniture design concept that integrates functionality, ergonomics, and visual harmony. This micro-credential forms the foundation for progression toward advanced learning in digital furniture design, CAD modelling, materials, manufacturing, and professional furniture production.

• Explain fundamental principles of furniture design, including function, proportion, balance, and user needs. يشرح المتعلم المبادئ الأساسية لتصميم الأثاث، بما يشمل الوظيفة، النسب، التوازن، واحتياجات المستخدم. (ESCO)
• Describe basic drawing techniques and visual representation methods (sketching, perspective, form development). يصف تقنيات الرسم الأساسية وطرق التمثيل البصري (الرسم التخطيطي، المنظور، تطوير الشكل). (ESCO)
• Explain core ergonomic principles related to human dimensions, comfort, usability, and safety in furniture design. يشرح المبادئ الأساسية للإرغونوميكس المتعلقة بأبعاد جسم الإنسان، الراحة، سهولة الاستخدام، والسلامة في تصميم الأثاث. (ESCO)

• Produce initial hand-drawn sketches of furniture concepts using proportion, perspective, and composition. ينتج رسومات تخطيطية أولية (Sketches) لتصاميم أثاث باستخدام النسب، المنظور، والتكوين البصري. (ESCO)
• Develop a basic furniture design concept responding to a defined user need or function. يطور مفهوم تصميمي أساسي لقطعة أثاث استجابةً لاحتياج وظيفي محدد أو متطلبات مستخدم. (ESCO)
• Apply ergonomic considerations when defining dimensions, usability, and comfort of furniture elements. يطبق اعتبارات الإرغونوميكس عند تحديد الأبعاد، وسهولة الاستخدام، وراحة عناصر الأثاث. (ESCO)
• Select and justify appropriate colour schemes and finishes for furniture designs. يختار ويبرر مخططات الألوان والتشطيبات المناسبة لتصاميم الأثاث. (ESCO)

• Carry out a simple furniture design process from idea to initial concept within defined guidelines and timelines. ينفذ عملية تصميم بسيطة لقطعة أثاث، بدءًا من الفكرة وحتى تطوير مفهوم أولي، ضمن إرشادات محددة وأطر زمنية واضحة. (ESCO)
• Review and improve design outputs based on feedback, focusing on function, ergonomics, and aesthetics. Review and improve design outputs based on feedback, focusing on function, ergonomics, and aesthetics. يراجع ويحسّن مخرجاته التصميمية بناءً على التغذية الراجعة، مع التركيز على الوظيفة، الإرغونوميكس، والجوانب الجمالية. (ESCO)
• Present and communicate design ideas visually and verbally, explaining key design decisions. يعرض ويقدم أفكار التصميم بشكل بصري وشفهي، مع توضيح مبررات القرارات التصميمية المتخذة. (ESCO)

This micro-credential is designed for students and learners interested in furniture design, interior design, carpentry, product design, and creative technical fields. It is suitable for:

• Technical and vocational education learners.
• Undergraduate students in interior design, architecture, engineering, or related fields.
• Beginners interested in furniture design.
• Craftsmen, carpenters, and workshop technicians seeking to improve their design skills.
• Entrepreneurs and small business owners in the furniture and wood industry.
• Lifelong learners interested in practical and creative furniture design skills.

Prerequisites

No advanced prior experience is required. This micro-credential is suitable for beginners and early-stage learners.

Recommended Requirements:

• Basic interest in design, furniture, interiors, or making practices.
• Basic drawing ability is recommended but not mandatory.
• Ability to participate in practical drawing and design activities.
• Basic digital literacy for accessing learning materials through the najah.ai platform. 

50 Hours

Course Content – Consecutive Sessions

Total Workload: 50 hours

Total Assessment: 100%

Session 1: Introduction to Furniture Design and User Needs

Hours: 4 hours

Assessment Tool: Short reflection task + participation in class discussion

Assessment Weight: 5%

Content:

Learners are introduced to the meaning of furniture design, the relationship between function and aesthetics, and the importance of understanding user needs before developing a furniture concept.

Session 2: Basic Design Principles for Furniture

Hours: 4 hours

Assessment Tool: Mini design analysis task

Assessment Weight: 7%

Content:

This session covers balance, proportion, form, scale, rhythm, unity, usability, and the relationship between visual appeal and practical function in furniture design.

Session 3: Freehand Sketching Techniques

Hours: 6 hours

Assessment Tool: Sketching exercise portfolio

Assessment Weight: 10%

Content:

Learners practice basic freehand sketching techniques, line quality, simple forms, furniture shapes, and visual exploration of design ideas.

Session 4: Perspective Drawing and Visual Representation

Hours: 6 hours

Assessment Tool: Perspective drawing assignment

Assessment Weight: 10%

Content:

This session focuses on one-point and basic two-point perspective, proportion in drawing, visual clarity, and transforming rough ideas into understandable furniture sketches.

Session 5: Ergonomics and Human Body Dimensions

Hours: 5 hours

Assessment Tool: Ergonomic measurement worksheet

Assessment Weight: 8%

Content:

Learners explore basic anthropometry, human body dimensions, sitting and working postures, reach, comfort, and their relationship to furniture dimensions.

Session 6: Applying Ergonomics in Furniture Design

Hours: 5 hours

Assessment Tool: Ergonomic redesign task

Assessment Weight: 10%

Content:

Learners apply ergonomic principles to simple furniture items such as chairs, tables, desks, shelves, or benches, focusing on comfort, usability, safety, and user experience.

Session 7: Colour Theory for Furniture Design

Hours: 4 hours

Assessment Tool: Colour harmony exercise

Assessment Weight: 7%

Content:

This session introduces the colour wheel, colour relationships, harmony, contrast, warm and cool colours, and the psychological impact of colour in furniture and interior contexts.

Session 8: Materials, Finishes, and Colour Selection

Hours: 4 hours

Assessment Tool: Colour and material board

Assessment Weight: 8%

Content:

Learners connect colour choices with common furniture materials such as wood, metal, fabric, plastic, and finishes, and justify colour and material decisions based on function and aesthetics.

Session 9: Design Thinking and Concept Development

Hours: 4 hours

Assessment Tool: Concept development worksheet

Assessment Weight: 7%

Content:

Learners identify a simple design problem, define user needs, generate ideas, select a design direction, and develop an initial furniture concept.

Session 10: Design Presentation and Final Mini Project

Hours: 8 hours

Assessment Tool: Final mini furniture design project + short presentation

Assessment Weight: 28%

Content:

Learners prepare and present a simple furniture design concept, including sketches, basic dimensions, ergonomic justification, colour and material selection, and a short explanation of design decisions.

The assessment is competency-based and combines continuous assessment with a final applied project. Learners will be assessed through sketching exercises, short design tasks, ergonomic application activities, colour and material selection tasks, and a final mini furniture design project.

Assessment Distribution:

• Weekly sketching and visual representation exercises: 20%
• Mini design tasks applying design principles and ergonomics: 20%
• Colour theory and material selection task: 10%
• Final mini furniture design project: 40%
• Final presentation and justification of design decisions: 10%

Final Project Requirement:

Learners must develop and present a simple furniture design concept, such as a chair, table, or small functional furniture item. The project should include initial sketches, basic dimensions, ergonomic justification, colour and material selection, and a short visual/oral presentation.

Pass Criteria:

Learners must achieve at least 50% overall and submit the final project to be eligible for the micro-credential certificate.

 in Furniture Design and Production. Learners who successfully complete this micro-credential may progress to advanced micro-credentials in digital furniture design, CAD modelling, materials and manufacturing, sustainable furniture design, and capstone project development.

Proposed Stackable Pathway:

• MC1: Fundamentals of Furniture Design: Drawing, Ergonomics & Colour Theory – EQF 4
• MC2: Digital Furniture Design and CAD Modelling – EQF 4/5
• MC3: Materials, Manufacturing and Furniture Production – EQF 5
• MC4: Sustainable and Market-Oriented Furniture Design – EQF 5
• MC5: Capstone Furniture Design Project – EQF 5

Accumulated micro-credentials may be recognised toward the Professional Diploma in Furniture Design and Production, subject to institutional validation, assessment completion, and quality assurance requirements.