Trend Watching

Did you know that companies such as Philips have entire departments staffed with trend researchers, who continuously monitor new developments? Would you like to learn how to spot trends and how to apply them to brands and organizations? If so, a minor in Trendwatching would be perfect for you.

This minor is all about being open to change, indulging in your curiosity, and viewing the world through the eyes of a trend spotter. Detecting, analyzing and adopting trends lie at the core of our Minor Trendwatching. You learn, in a general sense, how to systematically trace trends, to analyze them and to interpret them. You learn how to express the consequences of these developments. Ultimately, you will apply your newly discovered insights to the real world.

Learn how to interpret trends

In this minor you will learn how to systematically trace, analyze and interpret trends. With this knowledge you will be able to give advice to organizations how to adapt to this fast changing world, and in doing so generate long-term success. You will learn what trends are, how to detect trends, how to describe and how to visualize current (international) trends. Various methods and techniques of trend research serve as a backbone to these skills.

Write a custom-made trend report

In the last phase you write a custom-made trend report for a brand or company of your choice. You will transform trends and trend research into tangible input for companies and organizations. Here, trends are employed for lending companies inspiring and innovative input to make them better prepared for changing consumer needs.

In short:

• This minor is all about being open to change, indulging in your curiosity, and viewing the world through the eyes of a trend spotter.
• Detecting, analyzing and adopting trends lie at the core of our Minor Trend Watching.
• You learn, in a general sense, how to systematically trace trends, to analyze them and to interpret them.
• You learn how to express the consequences of these developments.
• Ultimately, you will apply your newly discovered insights to the real world.
• You will work in diverse groups consisting of both international and Dutch students.
• Your lecturers are experienced in their field of expertise.

In short:

• You are curious, open minded, business minded and opinionated.
• The newest developments in society interest you and you want to positively add to our changing world.
• You are empathic and want to inspire people with your ideas.
• You are a creative problem solver.
• Working together in a small group or multidisciplinary class attracts you.

This minor revolves around three core activities: scanning, analyzing and applying trends. Below, you will find a brief description of each phase.

Scan

In this phase, you will learn what trends are, how to detect trends, how to describe trends and how to visualize current (international) trends. Various methods and techniques of trend research serve as a backbone to these skills. New developments unfold quickly. This is why we teach you how to continuously refresh your knowledge and stay up to date. One of the courses taught as part of the trend detection package is trend support. You will be collecting trend signs and make a start with detecting your own trend clusters   

Analyse

And there you are, wondering what to do with all the trends you have spotted. This minor will teach you how to analyze trend signals and to find patterns in everything you detect. For this purpose, you will partake in work sessions in close cooperation with your fellow students, adding depth to your trend analysis. You also learn how to visualize trends. The crux of this analytical phase is how to understand the size, intensity, impact and dimensions of a trend. Various methods of analysis will be presented and practiced. You will learn how to systematically select and cluster relevant trends in order to make your trend descriptions more profound. 

Apply

And what are companies supposed to do with these trends? In the last phase, 'Apply', you write a custom-made trend report for a brand or company of your choice. The final phase is reserved for transforming trends and trend research into tangible input for companies and organizations. Here, trends are employed for lending companies inspiring and innovative input to make them better prepared for changing consumer needs.

Target Audience & Entry Level

Undergraduate. No specific requirements

Learning Outcomes

You learn how to systematically trace, analyze and interpret trends. With this knowledge you will be able to give advice to organizations how to adapt to this fast changing world, and in doing so generate long-term success.

Intensive coaching exchange students

Your teachers provide intensive coaching during the programme. All exchange students will be placed in buddy groups, led by a full-time Fontys ACI student. He or she will introduce you to Dutch culture, the city of Tilburg and the campus. With questions about practical matters and social engagements you can go to your buddy.

Complicated or personal matters

For all matters more complicated or personal you can go to the international coordinator or the study coach dedicated to our international exchange group. This study coach can help you with several personal or study related matters and can forward you to study psychologists or a dean if needed.

English Proficiency

For each program, the minimum level of English required will equate to the level of IELTS 6.0 (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL iBT 80 (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or CEFR B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Please note that the expenses noted below are estimates only for a semester abroad at Fontys and that the actual expenses will depend on your personal lifestyle. If excursions are included in the curriculum, the costs are for the student him/herself. The study programme is obligated to offer a free option as well. You will receive more information about extra costs if applicable in the course descriptions you’ll receive once accepted to the programme.

Tuition Fees

Students on exchange from Fontys ACI partner universities will not be obliged to pay tuition fees. For all other students, a fee of € 70 to € 90 per ECTS credit will apply (i.e. a 30 ECTS programme = € 2,100 to € 2,700).

Living Expenses

Students can expect general living expenses to amount to approximately € 700 to € 1,000 per month. This amount includes accommodation (i.e. approximately € 500 to € 600 per month all inclusive), food, transport and personal expenses.

Visa Expenses

These costs vary depending on your country of origin. EEA students do not require visas and as such, no expenses will be applicable. Students requiring Entry Visas and/or Residence Permits can expect to pay charges of approximately € 600.

Grants

In theory, students hailing from the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Turkey may be eligible for Erasmus Study Grants. Please refer to the International Office at your home university for further information.

Accommodation for exchange students

It is not always easy for exchange students to find accommodation in the Netherlands. Therefore, Fontys offers a service to provide students with assistance in securing suitable accommodation (i.e. a student room) for their exchange at Fontys. For information go to the Fontys accommodation page.

Application procedure

• After nomination by your university for an exchange programme at Fontys Academy for Creative Industries you will be asked to apply through Mobility Online (our online application system).
• Once you’ve been accepted in Mobility Online you can continue the application steps, including filling in the accommodation form before June 15 (for Fall semester) or December 8 (for Spring semester).
• You can give your preference for a basic student room or a more luxurious student room with services included.
• The accommodation officer will send you detailed information about the housing agency after the housing deadline.
• The housing agency will get in touch with you and you'll have to transfer two months of rent + deposit before arrival to housing agency (no payment = no entrance accommodation, but still the obligation to close rental contract).
• Accommodation is available on the agreed date.
• You are obliged to accept and pay for the offered room for the whole period.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country in western Europe with a multicultural population of approximately 17 million people. It has a very rich history in international trade, education, art, literature, design and sciences. This tiny country is famous for the great Dutch Masters, painters like Rembrandt and Van Gogh. They transformed the world around them just like today’s Masters: designers, concept developers, futurists. The Dutch creative industry of the 21t century is growing rapidly and plays a leading role in strengthening the innovative capacity of the country. The Netherlands strives to be the most creative economy in Europe by 2020.

Tilburg

More than 27,000 students study in the city of Tilburg in the south of The Netherlands. 13.5 percent of this city’s 200,000 inhabitants are students. Tilburg has a lot of cafés where you can enjoy student life. Students quickly find their favorite bars/pubs, restaurants and other meeting places. Catching a movie, enjoying the night life, a pop concert, visiting museums or going to the theatre: Tilburg offers a great number of possibilities.

How to apply as an exchange student

Applications should always be submitted via the International Exchange (or Erasmus) Officer at the home university. Once Fontys has accepted the application, your Fontys study department will send you a link to a web application called Mobility Online. Added to the link you will receive all necessary information and a manual. Please take a look at this website to see how it works.

How to apply as a Dutch UAS student

Dutch UAS students, apply for this minor via https://www.kiesopmaat.nl. 

How to apply as a Fontys student

You have to register yourself for the minor in Progress. Please note: the available places shown in Progress might not represent the actual availability. Students take diverse routes to register for this minor: exchange students through our international office and Dutch higher education students (from schools other than Fontys) through ‘kiesopmaat.nl’. Waiting to register for the minor of your choice because of the shown availability is not advisable and might result in you being too late and the minor being full.

Academy application requirements

A Skype call will be an obligatory requirement for your application procedure at Fontys Academy for Creative Industries and can influence the acceptance at our Academy. The Skype call will serve as an extra opportunity for you to show us your motivation and level of English, besides this there’s time for questions of the applicant as well.

Contact person for general information and application for exchange students: 

ACE International Office

Tel: +31 6 42100886  

Skype: aciinternational1

E-mail: ace-international@fontys.nl 

Visiting address: Prof. Goossenslaan 1-4, Building P8, Tilburg

Post address: P.O. Box 9090D, 5000 GD, Tilburg, the Netherlands