Join the Global Trendwatching minor and learn about TRENDS, FUTURING, DESIGN & BUSINESS!

Are you interested in trends?

Are you always on the look-out for something cool, new and interesting?

Are you creative, ambitious and ready to change your way of thinking?

When you join Global Trendwatching, you will learn how to identify & research trends and to create concepts & designs based on chosen strategies & scenarios. By merging innovative thinking with future-focused strategies, you'll inspire not just people but also companies, brands and governments. It is a new way of research & thinking, that will give you tools that you will be able to use all through your career: TRENDS ARE THE FUTURE.

The Global Trendwatching minor has been around for 13 years and is an established program for a reason! Now Global Trendwatching has become a faculty minor (DMCI) which means that in our creative industry, trends & futuring have become the new normal. So what will you be doing? In this program, you'll dive into researching, developing and conveying new possibilities (with the help by for example AI & trend databases) for a possible tomorrow. You will work on a real-life international client brief and give advice about possible strategies based on trend research. You will present your work in front of the client and create a trend report as well.

 

Global Trendwatching is an international minor that collaborates with international universities and companies such as Trendwatching.com, TrendOne, Philips and many more. You will work alongside exchange students and immerse yourself in field research in European cities like Amsterdam and Berlin. You will also encounter rapid-fire interactions with international experts and guest lecturers who bring the real world into our classroom.

Finally, Global Trendwatching is a showcase of transdisciplinary learning at its best. Here, you're not just learning about one field; you're intertwining multiple disciplines to create innovative solutions that matter. Imagine blending insights from sociology, technology, design, and business to tackle real-world problems. This approach doesn't just broaden your horizon; it deepens your understanding and enhances your expertise in your own field. Whether you're an aspiring designer, tech guru, business leader, or social innovator, this transdisciplinary journey equips you with a unique lens to view and solve the challenges in your area.

So are you ready to enroll?

Join us at Global Trendwatching!

Do you find yourself researching topics and just doing the same thing over and over again? Global Trendwatching will give you a fresh perspective on research and will help you take that step into the future by having more of a bird’s eye view on topics/ questions and problems.

 

The minor will tackle a clients’ brief by going through a three-phase system:

 Analyze: You do desk research on the brief, the client and trends by working with various models. You will bring speculative futures in the mix and top it off with a bit of customer insights field research.

 Create: Based on the insights gathered in the Analyze phase, you will create visuals that you test amongst the target group to see if your ideas, scenarios and concepts are actually futureproof. We will tell the story of the future with our creativity.

 Impact: You will test your work in a pressurized environment like a workshop, symposium, pitch or exhibition. To get feedback on your ideas and make them as concrete as possible for your client to really see the potential in your exploratory future concept.

You meet the entrance requirements from your own study before you can take a minor (see the Teaching and Examination Regulations for your study).

We would like to point out that each Dutch student should have B2 level of English or higher. Be aware: this is not a minor to learn English, or to get a bit better in English. This minor is an international program which includes native speakers, therefore, your level of English needs to be sufficient to be able to participate.

How to Research Trends by Els Dragt

Your study time will be approximately 4 days a week of which 16-20 hours of teaching and 16-10 hours of self study.

Examination: 30ECTS

In groups, you will work on a Trend Report for the client which includes your research and your concept. The findings of the report are presented to the client in a final pitch.

To demonstrate your progress on the learning outcomes and receive feedback and feed forward from both peers and tutors, you will work on your process in weekly coaching sessions. Learning outcomes will be assessed through a mid-term assessment (formative) and a final assessment (summative).

We foster a safe, inclusive, supportive, and positive learning climate where students oversee their own personal learning trajectory and growth.

The resits will take place in January 2026. If you fail to pass the resit, you will have to wait till the round to submit your work again (which will be January 2027)

Questions about the minor?

Contact Mariska Schaap via m.e.schaap@hva.nl

or Vincent Albers via v.w.m.albers@hva.nl

Questions about the Kies op Maat procedure?

Contact Karin van de Haterd via minoren-co-cb@hva.nl

This minor has 10 places available for KOM students.

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

Costs:

During this minor, we will go on an international research week to Berlin. Therefore, you will have additional costs (around 500 euros for the trip) due to travel and living expenses. When you choose to enroll in this minor, you accept these costs. This week is mandatory.