the work kit of design fiction

Why is it a struggle for creatives to self-promote their hard work? I should say 'some' creatives. Perhaps I should say 'most'? Tyler the Creator's bewilderment at why creators shy away from promoting their work, was a poignant consideration of this challenge, and was shared in a post by Yancey Strickler from Metalabel. I share some experiences I've had in this context, including the tragic difficulty co-authors I've worked with had, to the point where the collaboration broke down as they could not do the work. It wasn't a refusal so much as a basic inability to do the mechanics necessary to promote The Manual of Design Fiction. Promoting one's work is part of doing the work, despite the discomfort it may cause.

Episode 089 of the Near Future Laboratory Podcast is an in-depth conversation with guest Silvio Lorusso, a designer, artist, and writer based in Lisbon. Our discussion centers around the complex relationship between design, disillusionment, and the evolving role of design in society, as Silvio has articulated in his recent book 'What Design Can't Do', a critique of the rhetorical expectations placed upon design.

Grounded Wisdom is a unique tarot card deck that bridges design, ecology, and mysticism. Inspired by 20th-century modernist farming posters, these cards serve as a creative toolkit for designers and eco-conscious individuals, exploring the symbiotic relationship between soil and life. Each card offers questions that spark holistic, regenerative design thinking and offers us a way to consider how ourselves and our designs connect back to the earth.

episode 080 soil futures and tarot decks with gabby morris

This conversation goes into the evolving nature of work with the rise of artificial intelligence, exploring predictions of job obsolescence and the need for systemic analysis beyond technological advancements. It features insights from Julian Bleecker of Near Future Laboratory, the discussion highlights the role of 'design fiction' in driving true innovation through human creativity.