Design Fundamentals: An Introduction to Furniture Design
A course by Lorenz+Kaz, Furniture, Product, and Interior Design Studio

Discover the basics of furniture design and how to create unique pieces that invite comfort and style in your home.
Explore the fascinating world of furniture design and learn how to create your own chair in this online course. Join renowned designers Catharina Lorenz and Steffen Kaz, the creative minds behind Lorenz + Kaz studio, as they share their expertise and guide you through the process.
You'll embark on a journey to understand the history of furniture, with a special focus on chairs. Discover the different types, their dimensions, and proportions, and learn how to analyze and interpret furniture design. Catharina and Steffen will show you how to generate ideas and develop them into a concept, emphasizing the foundations of creativity and building your image archive.
What will you learn in this online course?
20 lessons & 16 downloads
What's included in this course?
To start, you'll dive into the rich history of furniture and develop a deep understanding of chairs as a design element. You'll explore different chair types, their dimensions, and proportions, honing your ability to analyze and interpret furniture design. Afterward, you'll delve into the creative process, learning how to generate and develop ideas, build your image archive, and create a concept for your chair design.
Next, you'll shift into the practical aspects of chair design. You'll explore market research techniques, find inspiration from diverse sources, and select the perfect materials for your project. Through hands-on exercises, you'll learn how to sketch your ideas and transfer them into a detailed 3D model using computer software.
Finally, you'll refine your chair design, adding the finishing touches and creating a professional presentation that showcases your vision. Throughout the course, Catharina Lorenz and Steffen Kaz will share their insights and expertise, providing invaluable guidance and feedback as you progress through each step of the design process.
By the end of this course, you'll have the skills and confidence to design and create your own chair, ready to make your mark in the world of furniture design.
- 100% positive reviews (31)
- 2,507 students
- 20 lessons (4h 31m)
- 16 additional resources (3 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Design your own chair from scratch. Guided by Catharina Lorenz and Steffen Kaz, you'll apply the knowledge and techniques learned throughout the course to create a unique and functional chair design. From conceptualization to sketching, 3D modeling, and presentation, you'll go through each step of the design process, culminating in a final project that showcases your creative vision and technical skills.

Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
For anyone with a passion for design and a desire to explore the world of furniture design. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer looking to expand your skills, this course will provide you with the knowledge and tools to create your own chair. Join Catharina Lorenz and Steffen Kaz on this creative journey and unlock your potential in the world of furniture design.
Requirements and materials
To fully engage in this course, you'll need a basic understanding of design principles and a creative mindset. It is recommended to have access to design software, such as SketchUp, Rhino, or any other 3D modeling software of your choice. Additionally, having sketching materials, a computer, and an internet connection will be essential for completing the assignments and accessing the course materials.

Reviews

Lorenz+Kaz
A course by Lorenz+Kaz
Catharina Lorenz and Steffen Kaz are internationally renowned designers with a combined experience of nearly 30 years. Founders of the Lorenz + Kaz studio based in Milan, they have established themselves as experts in furniture, product, and interior design. Their illustrious career includes collaborations with esteemed companies and recognition such as the Red Dot Design Award and the DePadova Good Design Chicago Athenaeum award.
Specializing in chair design, Catharina and Steffen have crafted over 30 unique chair designs, many of which have become modern classics in the world of design furniture. Their innovative and iconic creations have been showcased at prestigious events like the Salone del Mobile in Milan and the Cologne Furniture Fair. With a strong focus on aesthetics, functionality, and cultural significance, their designs reflect a deep understanding of the impact furniture has on our daily lives.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Us
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Inspiration
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U2
First Steps: How to Get Started
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Foundation of Creativity
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How Do I Get an Idea?
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U3
The Design of Furniture
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What Is Furniture Design and Why Is It So Interesting? 1
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What Is Furniture Design and Why Is It So Interesting? 2
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What Is Furniture Design and Why Is It So Interesting? 3
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Why Are Chairs So Special?
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Typologies, Dimensions, and Proportions 1
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Typologies, Dimensions, and Proportions 2
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Materials for Chairs and Production Techniques
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U4
The Design Process of a Chair: The Idea
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Developing a Briefing
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Market Research and Inspiration
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The Big Sketching: Bringing Ideas to Paper
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U5
The Design Process of a Chair: The Final Design
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Construction of the Design Ideas in the Computer
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Further Development and Finalization of the Chair Design
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Materials, Colours, and Upholstery 1
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Materials, Colours, and Upholstery 2
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Presenting a Project 1
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Presenting a Project 2
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FP
Final project
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Design Fundamentals: An Introduction to Furniture Design
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
This course is designed for learners with some foundational design knowledge, making it suitable for intermediate-level students rather than complete beginners.
You’ll need basic sketching supplies, access to a camera or smartphone for photo documentation, and a computer with design software for digital modeling and portfolio work.
You will develop skills in ideation, sketching, digital modeling, prototyping, portfolio preparation, ergonomic analysis, and presenting furniture designs professionally.
Yes, the course guides you through the complete process including finding inspiration, research, sketching, digital modeling, and building prototypes.
Yes, the course includes modules on portfolio preparation to help you present your work professionally for internships or job opportunities.
Topics include design inspiration, observation techniques, sketching, chair typologies, ergonomic analysis, digital modeling, prototyping, historical influences, and portfolio presentation.
The course teaches observation skills, photo archiving, collecting references from museums and movies, and using travel to inspire creative furniture design.




Kursu henüz tamamlamadım ancak çok keyif alarak takip ediyorum. Paylaşılan kaynaklarla birlikte, eksiksiz tamamlamak istiyorum. İlham verici ve geliştirici bu kurs için kendi adıma teşekkür ederim.
Course is very inteligent created. i was impressed about profesional road of the the teachers too.
a quite nice and comprehensive into to furniture design
Steffen is very knowledgeable and very generous. He took us through the whole designing process, from ideation to presentation. A little previous experience with the Rhinoceros 3D software would have been handy. Overall, the course is very enriching.
Nice