Design Fiction
Design Futures/Fiction
A creative and narrative-driven approach to design that uses storytelling and speculative scenarios to explore and envision possible future designs and technologies. Design fiction helps designers and audiences engage with potential future outcomes.
In practice
In speculative design, design fiction involves creating narratives and artifacts that explore possible futures, blending elements of storytelling and design to provoke thought and discussion about the implications of emerging technologies and societal changes. Design fiction goes beyond traditional design by envisioning and presenting speculative scenarios, encouraging critical thinking and reflection on the potential impact of design decisions on individuals and societies.
Questions
What is Design Fiction?
Design fiction uses designed artefacts and narratives to make a possible future concrete enough to discuss, without claiming it will happen.
Why do you use Design Fiction?
Abstract debate about technology goes nowhere. An object from a future forces people to take a position on it.
How do you use/apply Design Fiction?
Build a plausible artefact from a coherent future, place it in a mundane context, and let the implications emerge rather than explaining them.
When do you use Design Fiction?
In research, strategy and public engagement, when the point is to open a conversation rather than close one.
Who uses Design Fiction?
Speculative designers, futures researchers and increasingly corporate innovation teams.
