Workshop: Introduction to Woodwork

Join this two-day workshop in collaboration with Morley College to explore wood as a creative material through drawing and hands-on making. Led by David Beirne and inspired by our display of Simone Brewster's designs, you will learn how to work with form, proportion and surface to create expressive objects in wood.

What to expect This intensive workshop will focus on the design process, exploring how ideas develop through making, and how working directly with the material informs design decisions. The first day will take place at the Design Museum. During a visit to Simone Brewster’s PLATFORM display, you will learn about the designer’s multidisciplinary practice and the rich narratives she imbues in her designs. You will identify and study particular elements in Brewster’s pieces, such as silhouette, curve, rhythm or surface quality, and learn about the creative possibilities of wood. Through sketching and short exercises, you will start developing your own idea for an object – be it an everyday tool, a keepsake or a sculpture. The second day of the course will take place at the 3D Makerspace at Morley College’s Chelsea Centre for Creative Industries. Using their dedicated equipment and installations, you will translate your idea into a small wooden piece or prototype. Working from a pre-prepared timber blank, you will shape and refine your form using hand tools such as chisels, rasps, spokeshaves and block planes. This course is suitable for beginners and open to all, with no previous experience in design or woodworking needed. However, the open-ended nature of the brief will allow more confident participants to push their designs further if they wish. Learning outcomes: Develop observational skills through sketching and analysing objects in a museum context Understand how designers translate ideas into form through drawing, modelling and making Learn about wood as a design material, including grain direction and surface qualities Learn how to use basic woodworking hand tools safely Gain confidence experimenting with materials and developing your own creative responses Please note: All equipment and materials will be provided for the duration of the course Capacity is limited, and we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment This workshop is suitable for adults 18+