Postgraduate in Coolhunting. Design and Global Trends

The master combines two very powerful disciplines in the innovation process: trend research and agile methodologies such as service design and design thinking. The programme is focused on providing the current tools related to qualitative and ethnographic research, interdisciplinarity and innovation, aimed at transformation processes applicable to society and industry.

We understand innovation as an approaching process to the satisfaction of real and changing user needs, in order to improve their quality of life through products, services, experiences and new tools. Old patterns are re-examined and re-evaluated and prototypes are being boldly created and designed based on a thorough research.

During the course we develop research projects related to companies and government, in three main areas: Corporate Innovation, Innovation for SMEs and Social Innovation. We have worked with real projects for Doctors Without Borders, Hewlett Packard, Artemide, Lékué, Telefónica, Cirque du Soleil, Nike, Barcelona City Council and ACCIÓ among others, as well as internal transformation projects such as La Biblioteca Enric Bricall library, Elisava Admissions System, MIDI Global Network, Elisava Alumni etc.

We collaborate with multiple collectives, groups, institutions and universities involved with innovation in Europe and Latin America such as Universidade de Lisboa, Rotterdam Business School, Ravensbourne College, HTW Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, among others to strengthen networks and facilitate collaborations.

In each edition we do two field trips to European cities to explore trends, work schemes and user opinions, which allows us to achieve a wide spectrum of options regarding the innovation. We constantly carry out workshops and events that allow us to expand involvement around issues such as design and innovation in services, trends, innovation, strategy and design thinking.

Introduction and context

• This module welcomes students to the trends world, to its terminology and to the concepts driving the sector.

Research methodology and tools

• This module helps people with no experience in this field to develop skills, and also serves as a refresher course for those who have been involved in research projects. Includes ethnography, visual anthropology, sociology, market research, net-hunting and other strategic research areas.

Latest trends

• Presents cases and initiatives from professionals who have to deal with trends in various industries and pop culture.

Urban inmersions

• On-site work in various cities in order to develop perception and research abilities.

• Business tools

• They help students to learn the relationships between trends and business from the point of view of clients and companies.
• Promotes the dialogue between the researcher and the client.

Introduction to design thinking

• Allows students to connect research skills with collaborative and innovative thought philosophies.

Research project

• Tutored by the programme teaching staff and the companies associated with MIDI.

• Train researchers with the ability to create and participate in innovation and development processes.
• Offer professionals not linked to design tools that complement their training in scientific, technical and humanistic fields, to enhance their professional profile and opportunities.
• Offer professionals linked to design a space for interaction with other agents of innovation processes in order to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Addressing innovation in a broad sense, including its technological, social, creative, productive and business plans aspects.
• Encourage the creation of spaces and events of exchange and collaboration between all the agents linked to innovation processes, service design and strategy scenarios.
• Facilitate the exploration of new services, systems, products, strategies and experiences for organizations, companies and governments through real projects linked to innovation.