Content

Do you want to challenge the status quo, develop novel technologies, and change our shared future in ways you never imagined? Do you seek significance and worth in your work? Have you ever wondered what it means to make a career in art and design in these times of transition? This minor provides you with skills and approaches for navigating the links between technology, culture, identity, and community.

 

Format

Classes consist of group and individual guidance meetings

Key terms:

critical thinking, systems thinking, value creation, artistic research, field research, production-material research, concept development, prototyping, testing, and positioning.

 

Learning outcomes

Besides the general learning objectives of the Commercial Practices Minor program:

• You can position your work within a relevant societal context and add value to it.
• You can use design as a critical tool to question everyday contexts, including current realities and potential futures.
• You can experiment with and critique the role of design/artistic tools, technologies, and approaches in a variety of contexts, such as space, time, and culture.
• You can consider and experiment with various modes of organization and production.
• You can create work that adds not only economic value but also social, cultural, and environmental benefit.

 

What we offer

In the minor contexts and situations, we do not provide a theme or subject. Instead, you bring your own. What do you want to work on, what is your passion, and what do you care about in the world? That is the beginning point of the minor. We help you research your content by investigating the context in which it is embedded and determining how you can add value to it. You will design a research and prototyping path that connects different ways of observing and comprehending the world with artistic exploration. This activity is open-ended because we view the world as a network of interconnected systems. You will also actively study and interact with these systems to discover the value of your work—a purpose or niche for which your work may be valued. The output of this technique is defined as the creation of situational knowledge.

On a practical level, the Context and Situatedness program is divided into two connected components. Atelier is a practical course in which you create a project prototype. Context research is a theory-based course in which you analyse your work and investigate interconnected cultures and contexts. Classes will include workshops and individual guidance meetings. You will also establish your position in a broad professional domain. A series of sessions will address positioning and professional abilities. During these sessions, you will work to develop a concept that will serve as the foundation for your graduation project. We recommend you focus on something specific that lives, moves, or exists in your chosen setting—a fundamental concept, method, or experiment that combines practice and research. During the extra weeks, a graduation plan must be put together.

What we expect

We expect students to participate actively in group discussions, collaborate with their peers, and take the initiative. You will take charge of your project. The creative process requires a show-and-share attitude. You must experiment, test, and make mistakes to learn. You are open to collaborative and interdisciplinary work environments. You accept critical and constructive feedback. You are present.

Deliverables

• A concept prototype,
•  A Process Document (physical-visual compilation of all your process and research),
•  A Research paper (3000 words maximum),
• Making a pitch presentation during the assessment week,
•  A joint final public presentation is required.

Assessment

Individual

 

Learning outcomes

Besides the general learning objectives of the Commercial Practices Minor program:

• You can position your work within a relevant societal context and add value to it.
• You can use design as a critical tool to question everyday contexts, including current realities and potential futures.
• You can experiment with and critique the role of design/artistic tools, technologies, and approaches in a variety of contexts, such as space, time, and culture.
• You can consider and experiment with various modes of organization and production.
• You can create work that adds not only economic value but also social, cultural, and environmental benefit

This minor is open to WdKA students. Students from other institutes are required to send a portfolio and motivation. You will receive more information about this after you have registered for this minor. We advise students from other institutes to register at least one month before the deadline. The admission procedure takes at least two weeks. In case you are not accepted into the minor, you might need some time to register for another minor.

Deliverables

• A concept prototype,
•  A Process Document (physical-visual compilation of all your process and research),
• A Research paper (3000 words maximum),
• Making a pitch presentation during the assessment week,
•  A joint final public presentation is required.

Assessment:

Individual

Are you a student from another educational institution and you want to take a minor at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, you can apply in 2 steps as follows:

1)     Register for the minor of your choice via the blue button Enroll. You can find this button at the top right of the minor's page.

Download and fill in the learning agreement

Submit this learning agreement to the Exam Board of your study programme.

Once the Board of Examiners has given its approval, please register for the minor in step 2 no later than 25 may 2025

 

2)    After approval, register in OSIRIS Aanmelding of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences via the link below (create an account first).

           https://osiris.hr.nl/osiris_aanmeld_hrprd/WelkomPagina.do?proces=KOM2509&opleiding=MINOR-WDK-VT+00

Part of the registration process is to upload the following documents:

-   The learning agreement signed by you and by your institution;

-   A scan or photo of your passport or ID card;

You will receive a message from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences whether your application has been positively assessed or not.

In OSIRIS Aanmelding, you must also upload the Evidence Paid Tuition Fee (BBC) for the academic year in which you want to follow the minor. You can request the BBC from your institution after you have signed or issued an authorization for the payment of the tuition fees for the academic year in which you want to take the minor.

You will receive a message from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences when your application has been approved.