Influential Design and Creative Engineering

The Influential Design & Creative Engineering minor provides a dynamic and challenging learning environment where you will:

• Take full ownership of your project—deciding what to create and how to bring it to life.
• Critically reflect on your influence as a product engineer.
• Develop creative problem-solving skills and execute the design process with confidence.
• Acquire new knowledge and skills, often beyond the classroom.
• Research, develop, and test innovative technologies.
• Strive to create a positive impact, using the Sustainable Development Goals as a foundation.
• Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams during intensive pressure-cooker weeks.

This exchange programme offers a rich learning community which includes instructions, workshops, pitches, expos, guest lectures and coaching by experienced designers. As such, it does not follow the traditional lecture-test type of format. Professional prototyping facilities and academic knowledge sources of Rotterdam UAS can be used. 

Type of assessment

The assessment consists of formative (peer) feedback, expos, and a summative assessment of:

• a journal showing weekly progress and feedback;
• a final reflection on the learning outcomes;
• a presentation with poster, prototype and video.

Upon successfully completing this exchange program, you will be able to:

• Proactively explore and apply new activities, methodologies, and strategies to advance and complete a product design.
• Engage stakeholders, including end users and experts, incorporating their insights to refine your product.
• Assess your product’s impact, maximizing its benefits while minimizing any negative effects.
• Identify, evaluate, and integrate new knowledge and skills from various sources.
• Share your expertise to support and collaborate with others.

The exchange program is structured around five key design phases: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Each phase begins with masterclasses, guest lectures, and student workshops, and concludes with an exhibition where students present their posters and prototypes.

A typical week starts with a kick-off and lecture, followed by coaching or design sessions in the middle of the week, and finishes with a concluding activity. Throughout the program, students also participate in two intense Pressure Cooker weeks, where they work together on a client assignment. Most activities are held offline, encouraging hands-on collaboration and engagement  

After completing your exchange programme at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, you will receive a:

• Transcript of Records