Minor: Design Thinking and Doing - HZ Studio
Enroll in this minor

Are you passionate about finding solutions to important societal challenges? Do you want to discover how the Design Thinking method helps you generate creative and innovative ideas? During the Design Thinking and Doing minor, you will work on assignments from organizations and entrepreneurs in the Zeeland region.

With the Design Thinking method, you focus on the user when finding creative solutions. You learn to solve problems by first truly understanding who the stakeholders are and what they need. You think creatively about innovative ideas. Collaboration, empathy, brainstorming, and experimentation are central to this method. Throughout the process, you will use the HZ Studio toolkit, which consists of four clear phases: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver.

Collaboration in Various Projects

During this minor, you will work on different projects in collaboration with students from various nationalities and study programs. The projects come directly from the professional field and may vary each semester. Examples of past projects include:

  • Province of Zeeland: Researching how smart mobility can be applied and how human behaviour can be influenced and changed.
  • Groene Strand Initiative: Investigating how biodiversity on the beach can be improved.
  • SME Companies in Zeeland: Exploring how small and medium-sized enterprises can save energy and give back to the environment.

Each semester brings new themes and projects that make the Zeeland region more future-proof.

Coaching

You will be guided by experienced coaches who provide you with the right tools and insights to make your project a success.

  • Weekly coaching sessions to discuss your ideas, progress, and challenges.
  • Practical workshops to support your professional growth, such as personal leadership development.

Structure of the minor Design Thinking and Doing - HZ Studio

You will work in a group of up to five students per project.

  • Full-time minor (30 ECTS): Work on two projects simultaneously.
  • Fewer ECTS: Work on one project.

At the beginning of each semester, you will review the available projects and submit your preferences. We strive to match your interests with your assigned projects.

During this minor, you will work in the HZ Studio, located on the second floor of the HZ tower in Vlissingen. This vibrant office environment is shared with students from the Applied Research minor, giving you the opportunity to learn from others with different interests and cultural backgrounds.

Depending on your project, you may contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Improve well-being by enhancing the quality of life in Zeeland through innovation.

• SDG 11: Enable the renewal of Zeeland by making places more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.

• SDG 12: Promote responsible consumption and production, such as encouraging sustainable mobility or recycling food waste from restaurants.

Besides the 15 or 30 ECTS minor, you can also enroll in packages with fewer ECTS. Options available:

  • 6, 10.5, and 15 ECTS packages.

To enroll in an HZ Studio 2 package, you must first successfully complete an HZ Studio 1 package.

HZ Studio 1 - Design Thinking Track

  • 15 ECTS - MI00029.1A
  • 10.5 ECTS - MI00029.1B
  • 6 ECTS - MI00029.1C

HZ Studio 2 - Design Thinking Track

  • 15 ECTS - MI00029.2A
  • 10.5 ECTS - MI00029.2B
  • 6 ECTS - MI00029.2C

Note: To participate in HZ Studio 2, you must first pass MI00029.1A, MI00029.1B, or MI00029.1C.

Example

  • Need 8 ECTS? Choose the 10.5 ECTS package.
  • Need 23 ECTS? Combine a 15 ECTS and 10.5 ECTS package (you must register for both course codes).

In this minor, you will:

  • Understand the concept of regeneration and apply its principles to critically reflect on your personal development based on the Inner Development Goals (IDGs).
  • Work within an interdisciplinary team on an assignment for an external client, applying Design Thinking principles.
  • Systematically analyze the problem, engage stakeholders in formulating a problem definition, and critically reflect on your role in the interdisciplinary collaboration.

If you complete Minor 1, you will learn the following in Minor 2:

  • Demonstrate active engagement in regeneration activities and provide evidence of growth in applying regenerative thinking.
  • Work in an interdisciplinary environment to develop and validate an innovative and context-based solution that integrates both regenerative and practical value.
  • Critically evaluate the use of Design Thinking and reflect on your role within interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Minor 1: First 10 weeks (15 ECTS).
  • Minor 2: Second 10 weeks (total 30 ECTS) and builds upon Minor 1.

This minor does not have a fixed schedule.

  • Full-time minor students (30 ECTS) must be physically present for at least 6 half-days per week in the HZ Studio.
  • Weekly coaching sessions and biweekly client updates.
  • Mandatory workshops to support learning.

For students taking fewer ECTS, schedules and deadlines are flexible in consultation with your coach and teammates.

The following books are recommended for Design Thinking (available in the HZ Studio library):

  • Lewrick, M., Link, P., & Leifer, L. (2020). The Design Thinking Toolbox: A Guide to Mastering the Most Popular and Valuable Innovation Methods. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Borges, C. C., & McNamee, S. (2022). Design Thinking and Social Construction: A Practical Guide to Innovation in Research. BIS Publishers.

The type of assessment depends on the number of ECTS you aim to achieve. For the full minor, the assessment consists of an individual portfolio.

Practical information

This minor is open to students from all universities of applied sciences and study programs. You must have completed your propedeuse (foundation year) and earned 30 credits in the main phase.

The HZ Studio minor is taught in English. If there are enough Dutch-speaking students, the possibility of a Dutch-taught minor may be considered.

Semester 1

The minor runs from September 2025 to January/February 2026. You can apply from March 2025.

Semester 2

The minor runs from February 2025 to July 2025. You can apply from September 2024.

Do you study at the HZ? Then you can apply on this page. Do you study at another university of applied sciences? Then you can apply via Kies op Maat.

Jessica Borgs-Rongen

Office manager minor HZ Studio

Questions about this minor?

Do you have any questions? Or would you like to discuss whether this minor suits you? Feel free to contact Jessica Borgs-Rongen, office manager minor HZ Studio.

Mail Jessica

Register for this minor

HZ student

Are you an HZ student and want to apply for this minor? Click the application button below. This will direct you to Osiris. Choose the correct course codes: MI00029.1A and MI000292A.

Note: If applying for a smaller package, ensure you select the correct course code.

Upon registration, you are automatically enrolled for the assessments and added to our Learn page.

Register for minor

Student from another Dutch university of applied sciences or student from our international partner universities

Are you studying at another Dutch university of applied sciences and would you like to take this minor at HZ? Then register via Kies op Maat.

If you have been selected by your home university to study one or two semesters at the HZ, you may start your application by registering through our online application procedure.

Go to Kies op Maat (Dutch university) Read more about the application procedure (exchange students)

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