Influential Design and Creative Engineering

The exchange programme Influential Design & Creative Engineering offers a challenging learning environment in which you:

• are in charge of your own project and define your own project scope;
• are encouraged to critically reflect on the influence you exert as a product engineer;
• become creative in finding solutions and executing the design process;
• acquire new knowledge and skills, especially outside the school building;
• conduct research and create and test innovative technologies;
• collaborate intensively in multidisciplinary teams when you choose the design studio.

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.

If you have successfully completed this exchange programme then you are able to:

1. actively search and attempt new activities, methodologies and strategies to advance and complete a product design;
2. involve stakeholders such as end users and experts in your project and use their insights to improve your product;
3. research the impact your product makes, improve its positive impact and minimise its negative impact;
4. find, critically assess, learn and implement new knowledge and skills from others;
5. share your knowledge and skills with others.

The exchange programme is divided into four main design phases: Discover, Design, Develop and Deliver. Each phase starts with a workshop week filled with masterclasses by teachers, guest lectures and student workshops. A phase ends with an exposition with posters and prototypes. A typical week begins with a kick-off and lecture at the start of the week, coaching or design session in the middle of the week and a concluding activity at the end of the week. All activities are organised mostly offline.

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

• Transcript of Records