“You are about to enter a new genre, that of scientific fables, by which I don’t mean science fiction, or false stories about science, but, on the contrary, true ways of understanding how difficult it is to figure out what animals are up to.”
 
Bruno Latour, from the foreword of What Would Animals Say If We Asked the Right Questions?, Vinciane Despret.

In times of ecological crisis, it is essential to investigate new sustainable, empathic perspectives on our environment. Our relationship with other species has become problematic and instrumentalised (as seen in agriculture and the food industry). Artists and designers can play a vital role in imagining alternative narratives. How can we critically engage with these systems and design in a more nature-inclusive way, involving other species? Which new narratives can we imagine?
The minor Design Fables invites students to create stories and designs for a nature-inclusive society and to explore collaborations with non-human species as co-creators. It challenges them to critically rethink current human–non-human hierarchies in our daily environments, encouraging the development of species-inclusive design principles. Through research methods such as participatory and sensory research, students will explore possible ways of understanding and empathising with non-human species. The objective is to create prototypes and narratives that address their perspectives. This approach emphasizes radical experimentation and collaboration with both human and non-human stakeholders. How can we develop design practices that are more species-centric?

Keywords: learning community, real contexts, sensory research, experimenting, collaborating with human/non-human stakeholders.

What we offer:

• The Design Fables program is structured around two interrelated components.
• A practice-based component, in which students make and experiment, conduct material and sensory research, explore through field research, and develop an (audio)visual or material prototype in collaboration with several stations (Living Station, Interaction Station).
• A research-based component, in which students reflect on their work and process in relation to relevant contexts, fields, and audiences or participants.
• Classes consist of group and individual meetings, tutorials, peer-review sessions, (guest) lectures, workshops, and field trips/research.

Learning Outcomes

You will be able to:

• Develop a design approach and narrative for species-inclusive design and collaboration with nature.
• Create narratives and prototypes for species inclusive storytelling.
• Critically investigate and understand ecological systems, with a focus on injustice and hierarchies, for a more equal representation of nature (critical thinking, critical making).
• Apply innovative design research methods within real-life contexts (sensory research during field research).
• Collaborate and engage in meaningful knowledge exchange within team environments (peer feedback, collaborative organisation).
• Identify and engage with new audiences relevant to the project (participatory design).
•  Position your work in a relevant societal context and add value to that context.

Entry Requirements (Non WdKA students HR + KOM):

Open to WdKA students; students from other institutes at Hogeschool Rotterdam must respond to written questions after registering for the minor.

What we expect:
We expect students to have an investigative and collaborative attitude, to work consistently, participate actively in group discussions and contribute to peer feedback sessions. You are able to independently steer you own process of experimenting, making, testing and reflecting. 

Research methods and approaches:

·literature reviews, critical reading/thinking, field research, sensory design research, participatory research, eco-literacy, prototyping, positioning.

Components:

Research and practice

Deliverables:

·       A prototype and a narrative in a self-chosen medium

·       A research document that substantiates your project (3000 words max.)

·       A final presentation of your project (assessment).

·       A contribution to the final collective public presentation / exhibition. (assessment).

Working method:

·       Collaborative, individual, peer reviews, tutorials, workshops, lectures, investigation/experimentation.

Assessment:

·       Individual

PPLICATION PROCESS (KOM)

Are you a student from another educational institution and would you like to follow a minor at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences? If so, you must apply in two steps:

Step 1
Register for the minor of your choice via the blue Apply button. You can find this button at the top right of the minor’s page.
Download the learning agreement and complete it.
Submit this learning agreement to the examination board of your study programme.
Once the examination board has granted approval, register for the minor in Step 2 no later than 01-07-2025 at 9:00 a.m.

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

https://osiris.hr.nl/osiris_aanmeld_hrprd/Welkom.do?proces=KOM2609&opleiding=MINOR-WDK-VT 00

Part of the application process is uploading 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 be informed by Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences whether your application has been approved.

In OSIRIS Application, you must also upload the Proof of Paid Tuition Fee (BBC) for the academic year in which you wish to follow the minor. This can be done from 01 May 2026onwards. You can request the BBC from your institution after you have signed or issued an authorization for the payment of the tuition fee for the relevant academic year. You may also choose the option for your institution to send the BBC directly to collegegeld@hr.nl.

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