Description
Year 9 Furniture Construction introduces students to the exciting world of furniture design and making. Students develop confidence in the safe use of hand tools, machinery and workshop processes while learning a range of furniture construction techniques and joins.
Throughout the semester, students follow the stages of the product design process to design and manufacture a furniture item suited to an identified need or end-user. Students develop a folio that documents their ideas, planning and progress, helping build important design and communication skills in preparation for possible study in Year 10 Woodwork and Furniture Construction.
Using a variety of tools, materials and construction methods, students manufacture their intended design while maintaining a journal and photographic record of their production journey. The unit concludes with students evaluating both their finished product and the skills they developed throughout the design and construction process.
Unit Topics
Students will explore and develop understanding in the following areas:
- OnGuard Safety Training and workshop safety procedures
- Introduction to furniture joins, construction techniques and workshop processes
- The product design process and folio development
- Design briefs and identifying client/end-user needs
- Visualisations, sketches and design options
- Working drawings and production planning
- Journal writing and documenting progress
- Construction of a furniture project using a range of hand tools, machinery and techniques
- Evaluation and reflection on the finished product and design process
Skill Development
Students will develop skills in:
- Folio development and design thinking
- Furniture design and planning
- Safe use of workshop machinery and tools
- Furniture construction techniques and assembly methods
- Problem-solving and project management
- Journaling, reflection and written communication
Possible Assessment Tasks
Folio Development
Students complete a design folio for their intended product, including:
- Design brief
- Visualisations and sketches
- Design options
- Working drawings
- Scheduled production plan
Production
Students manufacture their intended design while documenting their progress through journals and photographic evidence.
Evaluation
Students complete an evaluation report reflecting on the success of the finished product and the skills developed throughout the design and construction process.
Career Options
This subject provides valuable foundation skills and pathways into:
- Design
- Industrial Design
- Building and Construction
- Cabinet Making
- Furniture Making
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Manufacturing and Trade Industries
Year 9