International Lifestyle Studies (Concept design) - Fontys University

The programme

At ILS, you learn how to thoroughly analyse trends. And then how to translate these insights into new, creative, and future-proof concepts. We teach you how to visually present your research results and how to shape, test and improve concept designs. In the first two years, you do this for seven lifestyle sectors: Food, Living, Appearance, Health, Human Movement, Leisure and Work.
The concepts that you develop as a student all have the same purpose: improving the quality of life of a specific target group. See the concepting model developed by ILS below. This model serves as your blueprint throughout your studies.

Year 1
The first year is divided in four quarters. In each you work with a team on an assignment, leading to a presentation of your professional product to the client company. The very first months of the programme thus immediately introduce you to the two most important professions for which you are educated: Trend researcher / Concept designer
Creating a professional product requires specific skills, knowledge and inspiration. You develop these skills by working individually or in a team during various modules. The necessary knowledge is provided through the courses/classes and meetings with experts, while you also study relevant literature. Inspiration is sought – and found – at the expositions and other events you visit yourself. Along the way, you gradually learn to master the various tasks that you will need as an educated professional.
Lifestyle sectors: The first year also introduces you to the various lifestyle sectors: Health (sports/exercise/fitness) / Food / Leisure / Appearance (fashion/beauty) / Living (Housing and home environment) / Work


Year 2
The second year is again divided in four quarters. The first three are structured as in the first year: in each quarter you create a professional product, always combining several core tasks and various lifestyle sectors. Year 2 is all about in-depth exploration, both of the sectors and of the professional tasks of concepting and trend research.
International experience
Gain international experience by working on international assignments, and during a study trip focused on an assignment for a company abroad.
The Idea Factory
In the last quarter of year 2, you team up with your fellow students to establish your own Lifestyle Company. On the basis of trends, you design a concept together, create it, test it, and introduce it on the market. The various Lifestyle Companies present their concepts during the Idea Factory: a special event where prospective employers are also present.

Year 3
The third year consists of a minor and an internship period.
The internship is an important part of your studies: this is the time to put into practice everything you learned in the first two years.
The internship mostly offers an opportunity to gain practical experience as concept developer.
We encourage you to do your internship or minor abroad

Year 4
In the last year of your studies you choose a specialty, focusing on two sectors of your choice. Additionally, you can choose from a large number of specialty modules, while you further specialise your skills within the core tasks of trend research and concepting.
Mastery test
Your Mastery test also starts in the fourth year. Here you apply the knowledge that you gained in the specialty modules by designing a concept. You can freely choose the company for which you will design. In the Graduation show, you also present your final Mastery test to future employers.

Career prospects
As graduated trend researcher / concept developer, your profession is to analyse trends to develop and successfully introduce lifestyle concepts. Your employer can be any of the countless businesses in the various lifestyle sectors.
Examples of where students can be found are departments for marketing, innovation, new business or research & development. There also is a growing number of agencies that rely on knowledge of trends and consumer developments to create new concepts for their customers. Or you can choose to become a self-employed independent creative, or start a career as freelance concept designer.

ILS is firmly rooted in the professional practice. The Universities network consists of over 100 companies, institutions and organisations, all eager to work with our interns and graduates. Among our affiliates are famous (Dutch) brands such as Achmea, De Efteling, Fair Trade Original, GGD, Hema, Leolux, Mundial Productions, Nike, Philips, etc.