There will always be a future. But what will that future look like, and is there a possibility to explore the future from our current perspective. And above all: why would or could that be important? 

In the first part of this minor, you will study changes in the current zeitgeist and what they might mean for near or distant futures. You will do this by asking questions, examining other perspectives and exploring the world. How will we deal with future pandemics? Has the world become more inclusive and do we still believe in our democracy? Or what trends are we seeing in digitalisation? All these changes are connected - you may develop a story based on the insights you gain. You will not develop into a clairvoyant, but you will make yourself 'future literate'. 

This 'future literacy' will enable you to explore the future for an international client. Prepare to work with a clean sheet, on an abstract level and with lots of creative freedom to follow your own hunches during your research. 

You will use the results of your research to inform and inspire a company or organisation. Providing them with insights into possible futures will in turn enable them to navigate strategically with more confidence. You will make them future proof and give them the confidence to plan for the future.  This is de starting point for the second part of the minor.

In the second part minor, you will learn to develop an innovative concept for the client on the basis of the Innovation Roadmap. You will get insights in the problem of the client through three different perspectives; Disruptive Design, Business Innovation and UX research.

These three perspectives collectively ensure that you will learn how to perform trend analysis, gain insight into the user experience of the customer, and substantiate how you add value to the concept. Based on this research and analysis, you will gain insights that help bring the innovative concept to life. New technology and innovation go hand-in-hand with social discussions and ethical issues. You will explore these in depth as well, so that you can design the concepts of the future in a distinctive, critical and impactful manner.

The minor concludes by visualizing and substantiating your innovative concept and presenting it during the final exhibition.

First become Futures Literate and use that new competence to be able to develop an innovative concept and give strategic advice to a client in the field of media and/or communication

You meet the entrance requirements from the Teaching and Examination Regulations (OER) of your own study.

Book: How to Research Trends – Els Dragt

The schedule will be published on the 15th of August 2025.

Mandatory contact hours per week:

4x 3 hours per week, consisting of active tutorials, feedback sessions, coaching and work sessions with the client(s).

In addition, at least 20 hours of self-study and working on assignments, both in groups and individually

Courses in:

First block: Innovative Research, Trends and Futures Literacy and Narration

Assessment: portfolio and oral assessment (15 ECTS)

Second block: Business Innovation, UX Research and Strategic Design

Assessment: portfolio and oral assessment (15 ECTS)

Total of 30 ECTS

Resit opportunity:

Resit of block 1 is in block 2.

Resit of block 2 is in block 3

Questions about the minor?

Contact Ingeborg Bruinewoud via i.bruinewoud@hva.nl

or Jan Veenstra via j.g.veenstra@hva.nl

Questions about the Kies op Maat procedure?
Contact Karin van de Haterd via minoren-co-cb@hva.nl

Applications will be processed in order of receipt signed learning agreements.

Inhoudelijke onderwerp(en)

Trends and futures research, creative research methods, strategic advise, communication and media innovation, ethical and future-proof concepting

Embrace new technologies

Design business models

Trend analysis

Competenties

Research

Strategy

Advise

Concepting

Innovate and Create