Designas CAD Academy
Learn to design furniture that can actually be manufactured. Live online courses, self-paced materials, and real-world projects — taught by practising production designers, not tutorial creators.
Not Another CAD Tutorial
Most SolidWorks courses teach you where the buttons are. Ours teach you how furniture professionals actually use the software — parametric cabinet systems, smart joinery, CNC-ready drawings, automated BOMs, and configurable assemblies that update in seconds.
Every course is built around real furniture workflows, not mechanical engineering exercises. You learn by designing actual furniture — bookshelves, tables, cabinets, chairs — using the same methods and standards used in professional production workshops.
Designas CAD is a working design studio. We produce manufacturing-ready SolidWorks files for furniture makers, joiners, and manufacturers every day. Our courses teach the workflows we use on real client projects.
Every model, drawing, and assembly is designed to go straight to the workshop. No academic exercises — everything you build is production-ready.
Joinery, hardware, materials, panel schedules, cut lists — taught in context, not as abstract features.
Live online sessions with Q&A, plus self-paced video tutorials, PDF guides, exercise files, and SolidWorks templates you keep forever.
Courses
The complete foundation course. Start from zero and progress through sketching, 3D modelling, assemblies, drawings, surfaces, equations, and BOM — all taught through furniture projects.
View Course Details → Coming Soon CAB-200The professional cabinetry workflow. Configurable cabinet systems, parametric resizing, hardware integration, panel optimisation, CNC-ready drawings, and automated BOMs.
Register Interest → Coming Soon JNR-200Smart joinery systems in SolidWorks. Dowels, confirmats, mortise and tenon, dominos, knockdown fittings — modelled as reusable smart components with automated pilot holes.
Register Interest → Planned WFD-200Design-first, engineering-second. For designers, architects, and makers who need to turn concepts into manufacturable CAD models without becoming mechanical engineers.
Register Interest → Planned ARC-300Precision CAD for bespoke architectural elements — balustrades, wall panel systems, reception desks, retail fixtures, feature ceilings, and modular architectural systems.
Register Interest → Planned PDE-200Manufacturable furniture products from concept to production pack. Hardware integration, DFM analysis, hybrid materials, prototyping, motion studies, and supplier-ready documentation.
Register Interest → Planned SFD-200Sofas, chairs, beds, and upholstered furniture. Ergonomic modelling, foam structures, internal frames, fabric reference geometry, weldment frames, and manufacturing drawings.
Register Interest → Planned 3DP-100Design printable parts, jigs, fixtures, and functional prototypes. Tolerances for FDM and resin, snap fits, threaded inserts, print-in-place assemblies, and STL export best practices.
Register Interest →More courses in development. We're building a complete SolidWorks education ecosystem for furniture and manufacturing professionals. Have a specific topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know →
Process
Choose your course and enrol online. You receive a welcome pack with the schedule, technical requirements, and access to the course material drive.
Attend live video calls (1–2 times per week, 90 minutes each) where the instructor demonstrates, answers questions, and reviews your work in real time. All sessions are recorded.
Between live sessions, work through the self-paced material pack: PDF slide decks, video tutorials, exercise sheets, and SolidWorks files. Go at your own speed.
Every exercise is a real furniture project — not abstract shapes. You build bookshelves, tables, cabinets, chairs, and more using professional production techniques.
Submit your work for instructor review. Receive specific, constructive feedback on your modelling technique, drawing quality, and file organisation.
Complete the capstone project — a full furniture production pack — and receive a Designas CAD certificate of completion. Top performers may be invited to join the team.
Working With Designas CAD
Pricing
All course materials — learn entirely at your own speed. No live sessions.
Everything in Self-Paced, plus live sessions, homework review, and a certificate.
A private cohort for your team, with all materials customised to your products and workflows.
Indicative pricing — final pricing confirmed once the pilot cohort completes.
FAQ
Yes. You need SolidWorks 2024 or 2025 installed on your computer. Education, Professional, or Standard editions all work. We do not provide software licences. SolidWorks for Makers ($48/year) is available for individuals at solidworks.com.
A computer running SolidWorks, a 3-button mouse with scroll wheel (essential for CAD), a stable internet connection, and a webcam/microphone for live sessions. A second monitor is recommended but not required.
The Beginners course (FDN-100) starts from zero — no prior SolidWorks or CAD experience needed. All other courses require completion of FDN-100 or equivalent experience.
Session times are stated in UTC and your local timezone. We schedule to accommodate the majority of enrolled students. All live sessions are recorded, so you can catch up if you miss one.
Yes — students who complete the capstone project in any Live Cohort course receive a Designas CAD certificate of completion. Self-paced students do not receive a certificate.
Potentially, yes. We use our courses as a training and recruitment pipeline. Top-performing graduates may be invited to complete a paid trial project, which can lead to ongoing contract work with Designas CAD.
In the beginner course you design: tabletops, shelf brackets, cabinet doors, turned table legs, storage boxes, bookshelves, coffee tables, chairs, side tables, and a capstone furniture project of your choice. All real, all production-ready.
Refund policy details will be published on the course page. Generally, refunds are available within 14 days of enrolment if less than 20% of the course has been accessed.
Choose a course and begin building real production-ready furniture in SolidWorks — from your first sketch to a complete manufacturing pack.
Browse Courses Questions? Get in touch →