In todays class we learnt about speculative design. This is something that I have never heard of before, so I was eager to find out more about what it was and how it affects us as designers.
Speculative design doesn’t focus on solving a current problem, but looks at wider issues and challenges our assumptions. It also helps us think in new ways and question the norms. Speculative design thinking takes a more ethical and sustainable approach, thinking about what is best for the future. In the future we look ahead to what is probable, especially in the next 5-10 years. Looking plausibly means to look at alternative economic and political states, so that they are prepared for the future. Thinking possibly means to think about technology that could but can’t be developed just yet. As designers we must think about why we want to design, and the political, economical, social, and ethical implications of what we are designing.
We can practice speculative design firstly by identifying a future concern, and some things that we are currently looking at is AI, extended reality, climate change, and biotech. Asking “What If?” questions, and this helps us to challenge these technologies to stop them being abused. Creating a fictional scenario that depicts what these new technologies might look like can help us get an idea of what life might look like with these technologies. Designing artifacts and prototypes helps us make sense and imagine what it would be like living in that time. These work as tangible examples that we can show others. Engaging in discussion also helps us to think objectively and not just have our own ideas, but work collaboratively. We should also ask all of the big questions, the good and the bad.
Below is Oceanix Busan, a way for people to live sustainably in the ocean. This prototype is the first resilient and sustainable floating community. It can house 10k residents and is able to adapt to rising sea levels. The best part of this project is how healthy it would be for humans to be more endorsed in nature, and this city allows them to have instant access to the ocean, being fully immersed in nature. This project seems really cool and it shows what can be done when we as designers think speculatively. This project was featured at the MORI Art Museum in Tokyo for it’s future and speculative thinking.
Future and the Arts: AI, Robotics, Cities, Life - How Humanity Will Live Tomorrow
For the second half of the class we had a workshop, where we were given the task of designing a solution to encourage people to come to class and prevent learning to become fully-online. We brainstormed some reasons why people come to class, and from here we found out why students come in so that we could see if there was any ideas. One was the social aspect of it, and coming into class allows us to see our friends and socialise. Another was the opportunity to have local food that isn’t available at home. With this we came up with the idea that a joke has to be told every 30 mins, and this is to lighten the mood and spic things up a bit.
Overall I really enjoyed todays class as I learnt a lot of deep yet interesting things about design, and the ethical side of it. This is something that I have thought of before but it was great to have a more in-depth look into it, and learn about how we need to challenge ourselves to think speculatively about design. The future is unsure when it comes to design, so doing things like asking “What If?” questions are extremely important to have an idea of what to expect and how we can shape it positively.