An enterprising woodworker is demonstrating that the future of furniture design may be about computers and 3D printing.

Andrew Cockerill runs his business, Northern Woodwright Furniture, from incubation space at the Chippendale International School of Furniture, from which he graduated in 2017.

The incubation units allow graduating students to set up in business on campus, making use of the school’s equipment and machinery.

Northern Woodwright Furniture was started in order to further Andrew’s passion for design and making, and to help others bring their visions into reality.

As part of that design-led approach, Andrew has invested in a 3D printer to complement the computer visuals more commonly used by furniture designers.

It means that he can easily create a scale model of any piece of furniture, giving the client a tangible sense of what the finished piece will look like.

The 3D printer uses rolls of plastic fibres to create the model, although Andrew also uses a wood fibre that can be sanded and stained for additional realism.

That realism can be seen in both the model and finished reception table that Andrew has just completed for a video production company in London.

“Clients love the way that a 3D model brings the design to life.  It’s tactile, they can look at it from all angles, and it gives them an added confidence in what the finished piece of furniture will look like,” says Andrew.