• Do you like to learn by making things?
• Do you want to solve problems?
• And are you curious and creative?

Three times yes? Then this minor might be something for you.

In this minor, you'll learn the basics of Programming, Design and Technology. You get a lot of inspiration, and you will apply that in a personal project of your choice.

Course content

Technology helps make our lives easier, helps us solve problems and spend our free time more efficiently. Good examples are: 

• The IKEA augmented reality application that enables you to preview how a piece of furniture will look in your home
• interactive playgrounds that teach preschoolers in a playful way
• Open-source chairs that you can print in a Fablab nearby. 

If you don't have a technical background yourself, it can be overwhelming to start learning technologies to make these ideas happen. In this minor you will learn the basic building blocks for working with technology; programming, user testing and rapid prototyping. We will teach you the basics, and you'll apply what you have learned in creating your own digital prototype. 

We have noticed that some students are afraid of learning to work with technology. Still, we are convinced that our minor programme will help you see that creating with technology is fun and not so difficult as you might think. 

The minor Creative design & Technology helps you to create technical prototypes to showcase and test your creative ideas. We offer three courses in the first term and a large project in the second term.

Learning outcomes

The minor Creative design & Technology helps you to create technical prototypes to showcase and test your creative ideas. We offer three courses and a large project.

Target group

This full-time minor programme is meant for second- or higher year bachelor students with an interest in the field of digital product design, user experience and creative technology.

The programme is open for students from all courses and schools, except Creative Media and Gaming Technologies CMGT (the organising school).

Students HBO-ICT need to send an additional motivation of around 250 words to k.e.j.kamperman@saxion.nl before the enrolment.

The minor would be a great fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following descriptions:

• You are creative.
• You are curious.
• You like to learn by doing.
• You possess the will-power to learn new things and overcome problems.

We expect you to have your own laptop (Bring Your Own Device) but it doesn't matter if you use Windows or MacOS.

Experiences from students:

"I highly recommend this minor, especially to people who have no background in technical subjects. This minor forced me to start thinking in new ways, using my brains differently and how to be creative in new ways. In the beginning it seemed like I was drowning in all the information and I really had to keep up with homework to not fall behind. But once you get the grip of it, it is a lot of fun! I am very glad I took this minor, it changed the whole way I deal with problems and made me a lot more efficient. Lots of thanks to all the teachers!"
Samanda Gouriye – Social Work

"As a software engineering student I have thoroughly enjoyed the emphases on creativity and no idea being too challenging to tackle. The teachers always try to guide you towards personal growth and actively motivate you to learn in areas you are not proficient with. Design Thinking is a very useful tool in order to realize ideas, especially if they are aimed towards users. Working in a fabrication laboratory and playing around with an Arduino can be tedious work but if you enjoy working with your hands then the hours will fly by."
Walter von Gabain, HBO – IT Software Engineering

Quotes from the evaluation:

"It´s a nice experience to get to know smart technologies. It´s not very interesting for technical students, because you already know a lot. But for the non-technical studies it's a nice experience."

"I would recommend it because it is unique and very useful. I’ve learned I. I would not recommend it because it requires A LOT of time compared to other minors."

"The programming part and learning to research user needs were pretty educational things that could really help me with future projects."

The first semester of the minor was graded by the students with a 7.1.

Course structure

Creative Design & Technology is a twenty-week programme, divided into two series of ten weeks. In the first ten weeks, the focus is on the fundamentals with courses on programming, designing mobile apps and incredible machines (more details under the learning outcomes tab).

In the second part of the programme, you'll use all the knowledge and skills gained in the first ten weeks to design your own technical solution. A creative digital product.

Programming:
To be able to make interactive products, it is useful to be able to program, especially if you want to innovate. When you acquire the necessary programming skills, programming will become more fun since you will be able to execute your own ideas. We work with Processing, a programming environment that enables creative people to learn to code. 

Design Thinking:
If you have a product idea, you must test that idea as quickly as possible with a user and get feedback. We apply the Design Thinking method in order to empathize with a user, define goals, ideate and prototype a solution and test it with the user. You'll learn how to use several ideation methods, use prototyping tools and conduct user research. Additionally, the basics of creating a graphical user interface will be covered. 

You'll learn Design Thinking in the context of a mobile app; however, you can apply these skills later on in all kind of interactive products. 

Incredible Machines:
Physical products get "smarter" every day. By sensors, actuators and microprocessors a "phygital" product or environment can respond to the user. For example: smart furniture or smart speakers. You'll learn how these kinds of products work by creating a small machine yourself that can respond to and interact with an environment. You'll learn about sensors, lights, motors, Arduino and rapid prototyping techniques like 3D printing and laser cutting. 

Showcase:
In this project, it's your turn. You've learned how to program, user test and create "phygital" product/environment. Now it's time to realize your dreams and make your own product.
- Do you want to create a smart interior? 
- Do you have an idea to create an app to teach children math in a fun way?
- Do you want to create a digital tool to help people communicate about their disease? 
- Do you want to make a game to make children move more?

You have 10 weeks to make your idea happen. We will guide you along the way. Additionally, you'll also learn how to document the making process and create several promotional items.

Assessment methods

Programming (5 ECTS)
In an assessment of 3 class hours (135 minutes), you will complete various small programming assignments. To test your basic understanding of programming.

Design Thinking (5 ECTS)
You'll document the design process of the mobile app in a design report. This assignment will be assessed on the application of the five steps of the Design Thinking method.

Incredible Machines (5 ECTS)
You'll create an incredible machine that communicates with other incredible machines. Your product will be assessed on criteria like creativity, design and utilization of technology. 

Showcase (15 ECTS)
You'll be assessed on the design process (justification of your choices) and your final work.

How do I apply?

The application process regarding the Kies op Maat minor at Saxion is a bit different than described at www.kiesopmaat.nl

How does it work?

Step 1: Download the learning agreement from the Kies op Maat website and let it sign by a member of the exam commission at your own educational institution ánd sign the document yourself.
Step 2: go to https://sis.saxion.nl/account# and fill in your personal data
Step 3: you will receive an automatic generated email from IAM including your username and password
Step 4: go the https://sis.saxion.nl, log on with your username and password which you have received from IAM and apply!
Step 5: After this we can process your application for a Kies op Maat minor at Saxion

Please note : in 'upload documents' you are requested to upload some documents. The following documents we need:

• A copy of your valid passport or ID-card. No driving license!
• A copy of your propaedeutic diploma or a printout from the DUO diploma register. In case you do not have the propaedeutic diploma yet, we would like to receive an official statement from your educational institution in which they state that you will receive the propaedeutic diploma before the start of the minor.
• Learning agreement, page 1, 2 and 3 (signed by a member of the exam commission of your own education institution and student)
• Original Proof of Payment for the study year 2024-2025 (available from June). You can request this proof from your educational institution, also if you pay in instalments. Your educational institution will email the Proof of Payment to Saxion.
  Deadline for handing in the original Proof of Payment is 2 weeks before the start of the minor.

If you have further questions, please let us know. You can contact Saxion Student Registration, telephone number: 088 – 019 3000.