In this minor you work both in groups and individually. Each group of 4 to 6 students will work on a problem. It is integrated education because this project covers various disciplines, including art & culture, spatial design, technology, user experience, entrepreneurship, communication, applied design research and sustainable development goals.

This minor is located at the crossover between human & technology of the underlying IDEO model of Stanford University. During the seminars on location, you will be supervised by design teachers, both individually and at group level.

The lectures are given by subject teachers, with guest lectures by experts in the specific fields. As a student, you are at the helm and partly compile your own education by consulting experts in various fields. In addition, excursions to example projects and other inspiring places are also part of the education programme.

The minor is intended for students of the Interior Design, Creative Media and Game Technology, Fashion and Textile Technology, Industrial Product Design and Creative Business programs at Saxion.

Furthermore, the minor is also interesting for students from Design, Minerva Academy, Architectural design, Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Allround styling, Artemis Academy, Spatial Design, Willem de Kooning Academy and Utrecht School of the Arts, Interior architecture, Artez and Interior architecture and furniture designs, KABK.

Admission of students from programs other than those mentioned above is assessed on the basis of motivation and skills.

This minor is offered bilingually. The group of students is combined, and the attending lecturers speak both Dutch and English. Minor in Dutch.

Why this minor?
Everything revolves around experience. Immersive design offers the opportunity to experiment with innovative solutions for spatial challenges. Immersive tools, such as VR and AR, projections, scent and sound design, are the tools for future designers to come up with innovative, sustainable designs with the desired story and the desired experience. In addition to physical spaces, designers will also increasingly design virtual spaces, because we also want to be able to stay there sustainably. In the Immersive Spatial Design minor programme, you learn to relate to realistic clients, practice complex assignments and techniques, and learn to determine your own position as a designer in this process.

At the end of the period, we will summatively assess your design and process to see how well you have done in terms of the assessment criteria for technology, business, culture, reasoning and creativity. Following a positive assessment, you will receive 30 credits.

The product test concerns a professional product and answers to a question and/or solves a problem originating from professional practice. Students work in teams on an integral design assignment. Each design team gets to work on a problem. Every assignment is different with regard to clients, users, function, wishes and goals.

Students say about this minor:

• “In this minor we create immersive experiences using VR, XR and projections, opening up new worlds and exploring the limits of imagination.” - Creative Media and Game Technologies student

• “This is not a lab, this is one big playground!” (about the Immersive Design Lab) - Industrieel Product Ontwerpen student

• “Just stay calm, there must be a solution for this...” (about technically complicated design issues) - Creative Business student

• “I think I've learned a lot more than I realise at the moment!” (about working together in a multidisciplinary team) - Interior Design & Styling student

• “It’s an intensive minor, but it was definitely worth it!” - Industrieel Product Ontwerpen student

• “It works just like magic, you can make anything you want.” - Interior Design & Styling student

• “Every design starts with a story.” (About storytelling) - Interior Design & Styling student

Designing spaces that matter
The world around us is changing rapidly, and so are the spaces we live, work, and gather in. At Saxion, the Interior Design bachelor program equips you with the skills to design environments that respond to social challenges, promote sustainability, and foster well-being.

The Interior Design program at Saxion is more than just crafting beautiful spaces. It’s about designing spaces that serve a purpose, make a difference, and inspire communities.

During the four-year program, you will learn to:

• Respond to social challenges: Create designs that address issues such as inclusivity, mental health, and environmental sustainability.
• Think holistically: Balance aesthetics, functionality, and societal relevance.
• Innovate with technology: Use cutting-edge tools, like 3D modeling and smart materials, to bring your vision to life.

Key themes are:

• Sustainability: How to design interiors that minimize environmental impact.
• Societal impact: Creating spaces that foster connection and belonging.
• Human-centered business: Understanding the needs and emotions of the people who use the spaces you create and create spaces for them.

Graduates of the Interior Design program are equipped to make a difference in fields such as:

• Public space innovation: Transforming urban spaces to encourage social interaction.
• Healthcare design: Creating healing environments for hospitals or care facilities.
• Sustainable living solutions: Designing eco-friendly homes and workspaces.

Design beyond the surface
The Interior Brand Identity Associate degree (Ad) program is where creativity meets strategy. You will learn how to design spaces that reflect a brand’s identity while connecting with its target audience on an emotional and experiential level.

During the two-year program, you will learn to:

• Translate brand strategy into space: Understand the core values of a brand and incorporate them into design elements such as layout, color, materials, and lighting.
• Design targeted solutions: Create spaces that are specifically tailored to the needs of customers in retail, hospitality, or corporate environments.
• Craft immersive experiences: Leverage technology, storytelling, and interaction design to deliver unforgettable brand experiences.

Key themes are:

• Spatial branding: Design spaces that embody and enhance brand messaging.
• Customer-centric approach: Align design choices with the preferences and behaviors of target audiences.
• Innovative storytelling: Develop narratives that connect people to brands through thoughtful spatial design.

Graduates of the Interior Brand Identity program are in demand in industries such as:

• Retail design: Crafting flagship stores and concept spaces that boost customer engagement.
• Hospitality branding: Designing hotels and restaurants that align with a brand's story and customer expectations.
• Corporate identity spaces: Shaping offices and headquarters to reflect a company’s culture and mission.