Meet Cian Corcoran, a furniture maker with a lifelong passion for creating. Growing up in a house that was always under construction, Cian learned the art of building and design from an early age, thanks to his dad's DIY approach. Now, Cian brings that same hands-on mentality to his own projects and enjoys passing on the joy of making to others. With a deep appreciation for the connection between people and the objects they live with, Cian’s work blends creativity and craftsmanship. Whether he's crafting furniture or teaching others how to do it, Cian’s enthusiasm for the process is infectious.

Hi Cian, can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into furniture making?

I have been making for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a house that was always under construction so I was exposed to building, making and design from a young age. My Dad did almost all of the work on renovating the house and was very reluctant to pay anyone to do any work. I now have the same attitude towards my own house and my kids are getting exposed to it! Furniture design and making has been a natural progression for me as I really enjoy the human connection we can have with objects and how they can create moments in our lives.

The Introduction to Furniture Making Course is designed for beginners with no previous experience, tell us, what can they expect when they first walk into the Common Knowledge workshop?

We have a lovely, bright workshop here with all of the tools and materials needed for our various courses. I love the potential that a workshop represents and I think participants often feel that too. We make sure that everyone has relevant safety kit and training to allow them to use the tools safely, this makes the learning a bit easier. We will be working with a lovely hardwood called Iroko and some good tools that people may not have easy access to, so it’s a great opportunity to sample some of the great materials and equipment available.

“Cian is really patient, encouraging and good at explaining what you need to do. He gave me the confidence to try making something on my own at home. I enjoyed the experience so much and learned a lot which I hope I can put into practice soon. ”

— Lee, Furniture Design & Making Student

You’ll be teaching participants about the physics behind furniture design. Can you give us a heads up as to why that’s important?

I think good design is a blend of creativity and physics. You can draw or build your ideal chair from an aesthetic perspective but it could injure someone if it doesn’t perform its physical duties. Creating something that is both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing is something that requires a push and pull between these two disciplines and I love that tension. The stool I have designed for this course utilises a particular joint that allows participants to practice and make mistakes but still have a piece of furniture that is safe to use.

What’s one common misconception about furniture making that you’d like to clear up for anyone considering joining the course?

I imagine that there is a feeling that furniture making is for very skilled craftspeople. This is part of what I’ve been calling an epidemic of specialisation! In the not-too-distant past, most people tried their hand at various crafts, mostly out of necessity. The result was furniture that was fit for purpose which told a story of the time, place and people that it came from. I think everyone has it in them to experiment with furniture making. There may be mistakes and failures along the way, but the results will be so full of character that you’ll prefer them to their flat-pack alternatives.

Participants will be making a hardwood stool during the course. What makes a stool the perfect first project for beginners?

A stool is a very versatile object. It can be useful in any room as a place to rest, as a small table or a display area for your favourite items. It allows me to demonstrate some basic principles of physics, woodworking techniques and finishing methods and it is all achievable in two days.

A big part of Common Knowledge courses is building confidence so that folks can take this away with them as well as whatever they create on the weekend. Why do you think this so important?

The specialisation issue I spoke about above has eroded peoples’ confidence in their abilities. If you feel that you need to train for 4 to 6 years to be allowed to practice a particular craft or skill you will be very unlikely to just give it a go. My path has been one of self learning and the first step in me undertaking any new project is always a belief in my ability to learn how to do it, followed by a belief in my ability to physically do it. Sometimes the learning leads to an understanding that I should probably hire someone with the appropriate skills to carry it out, but this is rare. What I love to see is people leaving Common Knowledge with a feeling of confidence that they can both learn and do a lot of the things they have been afraid to take on themselves. This confidence snowballs very quickly!

How important is the community aspect of the course, and what role does it play in the learning process?

I think people coming here to learn together has a great energy behind it. This energy often continues beyond the time spent in Common Knowledge and we find that people create friendships and groups as a result of being here. These bonds really help people to continue their learning alongside others that are at a similar stage in their exploration.

Students get all the instruction they need to handle the tools required to build their projects

What makes creating something with your own hands so special, especially in today’s digital world?

There is a great feeling of satisfaction and pride to be gained by creating anything physical and sharing it with others. A lot of people walking out the doors of the workshop can’t believe what they have achieved in the two days and are very impressed with themselves. They then get to place that stool in their homes as a reminder of what they are capable of. This gives a great sense of purpose in a world that seems decreasingly concerned with tangible things.

Lastly, what does a day in the life of Cian Corcoran look like when you’re not in the workshop?

When I’m not in the workshop I am enjoying time with my family or working on our house. We spent last year renovating an old stone farmhouse that needs lots of finishing work. We keep animals and have 7 acres of land that we are trying to regenerate so there is never a dull moment. I also run a company called Designgoat, www. wearedesigngoat.com that offers design and fabrication of interiors and products for both commercial and private clients.

Weekend Course

Introduction to Furniture Design & Making

21 & 22 September

Design and craft your own solid hardwood stool, while exploring the ergonomics, aesthetics and techniques involved in creating your own furniture.

Who is this course for?

Whether you are just curious about furniture design or have a project in mind, this course will give you the skills to design and create your own bespoke furniture for your home..

What will you learn?

On this course we will cover:

The physics underlying furniture design
Different types of wood and their attributes
Basic wood joinery and the skills needed to continue learning
Finishing techniques

Info and Booking

Creating with Purpose: How Cian Corcoran Inspires a Hands-On Approach to Furniture Design