Introduction to Furniture Design and Advanced Furniture Design (often referred to as “Woodshop”) challenges and grows students’ hands-on creativity and problem-solving skills. This course, part of the visual and design arts department, is taught by Christopher Mahar. At the beginning of the semester, students in the introductory class are presented with a theme or topic, and then spend the next few months designing a piece of furniture that fits the theme. In an interview with Mr. Maher explained that after the brainstorming phase, the students leverage a program called “Sketchup,” a 3D-rendering software. This tool allows the students to “put on their design hats.” and create models and prototypes with the 3D printers. These models guide them when creating their final piece of furniture. Utilizing the computers and SketchUp to create designs is a crucial part of the process. Mr. Mahar emphasizes, “If it [the piece of furniture] looks weird on a small scale, it will look weird on a large scale.” This designing part of the curriculum is crucial in ensuring that the final project looks perfect. Throughout this first semester, the students are introduced to the various pieces of machinery in the classroom, which they will become very familiar with in the building phase of the class. 

Sophomore Keese Williams, a student who took Intro to Furniture Design in his freshman year, commented, “It’s really just as hard as you make it. If you do the work the class is very rewarding and fun.” By the end of the year, Keese walked out of the class with his very own chair. He and Mr. Mahar both emphasize that woodshop, like other visual and design arts classes, is a skill that can be developed. 

“The difference between the advanced class and intro class is huge,” said Mr. Mahar. “The advanced students have much more freedom and much more advanced designs.” A student could take Advanced Furniture Design from their sophomore to senior year of high school, becoming very proficient in the craft.