Minor Be Creative
- Starts February and September
- English
- 30 ECTS
- 5 months
What if you could turn a technical idea into a working prototype that close to 1 million spectators get to experience?
In the Minor Be Creative, you do exactly that. You combine engineering skills with creative thinking to design and build something that has never existed before. And you present it to the world.
About the minor Be Creative
The Minor Be Creative is a project-based, technology-driven minor for engineering students who want to work differently. You do not follow lectures and complete assignments. Instead, you join a real project team, pick a challenging brief, and spend 20 weeks building an innovative prototype from scratch.
The minor blends engineering disciplines — electronics, mechanics, software, CAD — with creative methods like design thinking, iterative prototyping and user testing. You work in a multidisciplinary, international team with a dedicated project coach and direct support from companies and experts.
A unique feature: students of the minor have been part of the main route of GLOW Eindhoven, one of the Netherlands’ largest light art festivals, for several years running. Your prototype could be seen by close to 1 million spectators.
Why choose the Minor Be Creative?
- You work on a real project with a real client. Not a simulation
- You design, build and test a working prototype from the ground up
- You develop both hard and soft skills in a structured, personal way
- You work in an international, multidisciplinary team
- You may present your work at GLOW Eindhoven (close to 1 million visitors)
- The bootcamp programme was developed in collaboration with MIT Boston
More about the minor
Engineering students are trained to solve problems, but not always to question which problems are worth solving, or to find unexpected answers. That is where Be Creative comes in.
During this minor, you apply your technical skills in a creative context. You learn to make drawings and decide on materials yourself. You work with tools and techniques including 3D printing, CAD, electronics, soldering, software development and laser cutting, using whatever the project demands. You are not told which tools to use. You figure it out together.
Every team works on a single, shared project assignment. You have one project coach who guides your team throughout the semester. At the midpoint, you give a live demo and presentation. At the end, you present your final prototype at a symposium, accompanied by a project video and a professional poster.
For who?
You do not need to be a designer, an artist or a creative genius. You need curiosity, a hands-on attitude and the willingness to step outside your comfort zone.
This minor is a great fit if you come from:
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- ICT / Computer Science
- Applied Physics
- Mechatronics
- Or any other engineering-related programme
Helpful interests & mindset:
- You like making things: designing, building, testing
- You enjoy working with people from different backgrounds
- You are open to feedback and willing to reflect on your own growth
- You want to broaden your perspective and learn skills outside your main programme
- You are curious about how technology can be used in unexpected ways
What you do not need:
- No design or art background
- No creative portfolio
- No prior experience with the tools. You learn everything as you go
- No specific software skills required upfront
How to apply
After you have chosen a minor, you can register yourself.
- Fontysstudents apply through ProgRESS
- Students from other Dutch UAS apply through Kies op Maat.
Deadline application Minor Be Creative
| Starting in February | Apply before 15 December |
| Starting in September | Apply before 1 july |
In order to participate in the minor, the student must:
- Have obtained the propaedeutic year or;
- Have permission from the examination board of your study programme.
Agenda
Register here for one of our activities. This way you can be sure whether this is the minor for you! We hope to see you soon!
There are currently no activities planned. Would you still like to visit or do you have a question? Please contact us.
Practical information
The language of the minor is English.
This minor is open to students who:
- Are enrolled at a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
- Have completed their propaedeutic year (or have permission from their examination board)
- Have an engineering or technical background
Students from all engineering disciplines are welcome: electrical, mechanical, ICT, physics, mechatronics and related fields. The creative and design methods are built up within the minor. No prior experience with tools or techniques is required.
A minor regulation informs you about what you will learn, how the assessment is structured, and when you have completed the minor. As a student, you can derive rights from the minor regulation.
Go to minor regulations ('25-'26) Go to minor regulations ('26-'27)