The programme is designed to support students to progress or return to further education or employment following a period out of work. The students explore a mix of social skills, personal and vocational skill development to allow them to make realistic and informed decisions based on their own strengths and personal goals.

Explore how the core elements of user experience (UX) design can be used to create more effective, engaging and enjoyable digital media interactions.

UX design uses research, design skills and usability testing to enhance the ways in which a user can interact with a digital product. It involves a range of techniques, including user research, requirements analysis, user interface and interaction design, prototyping, and user testing. The demand from industry in Ireland for people with these skills has significantly grown in response to the increasing prominence and importance of the field. This course produces skilled, confident and knowledgeable user experience designers to fill this gap.

The course has a strong emphasis on process and design, essential disciplines for the generation of design ideas and the production of finished pieces of furniture.

You will have the opportunity to develop a unique range of skills thanks to classes in 2D CAD (Computer Aided Draughting), ceramics and printmaking. Work experience is an integral part of the course. The students work with a realistic design brief to create functioning furniture for public use.

This one year programme is designed for those who are interested in working with natural materials and explore designing their own small scale wood based projects. Potential students who have a desire and flair to be creative, thrive in this area. Students will first explore a range of hand tools that vary across the furniture industry, then progress from there with other methods. There are lots opportunities in this course to develop further in forging a career within the furniture and wood employment sector or alternatively, progress onto further and higher education studies.

The aim of this course is to offer students a unique opportunity to develop the essential skills to design and manufacture a range of fine handcrafted furniture. These skills will enable students to pursue a career in furniture manufacturing/woodworking industries, or in the areas of furniture design, product design or architectural technology.

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in furniture design and making, balancing traditional hand-tool techniques with modern machinery training. Students develop practical joinery and carpentry skills in a well-equipped workshop and design studio to produce unique, individual pieces. The program includes practical work experience and the opportunity to showcase creations at the annual Art & Design Exhibition. Graduates gain a direct progression link to Furniture Design and Timber Technology degree programs across Ireland via the CAO system.

This one year, full-time course offers an exciting opportunity to design and make your own furniture. The practical nature of the course enables students to learn the essential techniques in furniture making and design, providing a solid set of skills, both hand skills and machinery use.

The course has a strong emphasis on process and design, essential disciplines for the generation of design ideas and the production of finished pieces of furniture.  You will have the opportunity to develop a unique range of skills thanks to classes in metalcraft and finishing techniques.

This is a one-year course requiring 120 credits to achieve a full award. Participants are trained in craftsman’s skills and are trained in the use of hand tools, and are introduced to the basics of Woodcarving, Woodturning, Drawing and Sculpture.

This one-year course at DFEi provides essential craftsmanship training for students seeking employment in the furniture industry. Utilizing excellently equipped workshops featuring a CNC router, an industrial panel saw, and a spray booth, students develop hands-on skills with hand tools and woodworking machinery while building their own furniture projects. The curriculum also integrates vital supporting disciplines, including drawing, design skills, veneering, marquetry, wood finishing, and 2D computer-aided drafting (CAD), preparing graduates for a successful career in furniture making and design.

If you like to solve problems using creative techniques and if you are interested in learning the range of skills required to design and make contemporary and innovative furniture products, then this course is for you.

You will get an opportunity to develop skills in both traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques and learn how to apply the design process from concept through to fully finished furniture projects.