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Trend and Future Research

  • Starts February and September
  • English
  • 30 ECTS
  • 5 months
Tilburg
What will TikTok, ChatGPT, or Instagram be up to in five years? What does the future hold for Nike, Ajax, or Red Bull? And what will happen to brands like Dior, Rituals, or Patagonia, or companies like Heineken, IKEA, and Ahold Delhaize?

About this minor

Large organizations in all sectors are constantly thinking about the future—not just out of curiosity, but because their success depends on it. Using trend research and scenario planning, they try to understand what lies ahead so they can respond to change in a smart way.

In this minor, you will learn how future thinking works in practice: how companies use future research to innovate, and how you can learn to work with the future yourself.

Why the minor Trend and Future Research?

  • Learn how to identify trends and translate them into future scenarios.
  • Turn trends into strategic opportunities for businesses.
  • Develop multidisciplinary thinking and present your ideas creatively.
  • Inspiring field trips to innovators.
 

More about the minor

In this minor, you will learn one of the most important skills of the future: looking ahead. You will learn to:

  • question your assumptions about what is to come.
  • recognize signs of change.
  • anticipate the unknown.

In this way, you will develop an open, inquiring view of tomorrow's world and learn to translate this into meaningful strategies for today.

And you do so in a world that is changing faster than ever. Technology, climate, and social shifts are putting existing systems under pressure. Companies, governments, and social organizations are searching for new directions and meaning. In this minor, you will learn how to understand, translate, and visualize such developments.

You will work on real issues faced by companies, governments, and social organizations. This will allow you to discover how your unique perspective as a trend and future thinker can make a difference and develop both your investigative and creative skills.

 
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About the minor 'Trend and Future Research'

 

 

 

Programme

The minor consists of two components that together strengthen your development as a trend and future researcher: trend research and future research.

You will be given a lot of freedom to shape your assignments in your own way. Whether you choose to make a film, podcast, product, poster, or report, you decide how to bring your ideas to life. You will learn to experiment, combine, and present, while at the same time connecting with real organizations and social issues.

To help you with this, in addition to regular classes, we regularly go on field trips to see what groundbreaking innovators are doing, and there are guest lectures by subject matter experts.

In the first part, you will learn to recognize signals and innovations, analyze trends, and apply them for real clients from the business community and social organizations.

You will work on two assignments:

  • TrendDNA: a personal portfolio in which you showcase your profile and interests as a trend researcher. Here you discover who you are, what drives you, and where your passion lies.
  • Trend Report: a group assignment in which you develop a trend analysis and future-oriented advice for a real client. You translate your insights into concrete recommendations that help organizations look further ahead and seize new opportunities.

In the second part, you will develop future scenarios for a client of your choice.

  • You will bring your scenarios to life in a speculative design.
  • You will present this during the final exhibition, where you will share your vision with fellow students, teachers, and clients. In this way, you will show how trends and ideas can be translated into inspiring concepts and concrete proposals for the future.

 

 

Who is this minor for?

Are you curious, creative, and willing to look beyond the familiar? Do you often see patterns and enjoy making connections? Are you concerned about social challenges and want to know how you can influence them?

Then this minor is for you. You will learn not only to understand the future, but also to actively contribute to it.

 

 

How to apply for this minor

To take part in the minor, you must have completed the propaedeutic phase or have permission from your programme's examination board.

Apply for this minor that starts in September from 1 February until 1 July.

Apply for this minor that starts in February from1 July until 15 December.

This minor is offered twice a year:

September – February: in Dutch

February – July: in English

 
 

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!

Practical information

This minor is offered twice a year:

September – February: in Dutch

February – July: in English

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