ASU Applied Sci-Fi Roundtable

I had the privilege of participating in the ASU Applied Sci-Fi Panel, where we delved into the intriguing world of Design Fiction. This was more than just a discussion about blending science fiction with design concepts; it was an exploration of how these ideas can tangibly influence the future.

The Art of Design Fiction

Design fiction, to me, is a fascinating crossroads where imagination meets practicality—a way to think beyond the conventional limits imposed by current technology and society. During the panel, I shared how I see Design Fiction as not just a theoretical exercise but a practical tool that sits at the intersection of art and strategic foresight. It’s about creating physical artifacts that tell stories and challenge our perceptions of what is possible.

When a C-level executive once requested a one-pager on “this Design Fiction thing,” it prompted me to distill the essence of this practice. I envisioned a spectrum where fiction and strategy coexist, with artists at one end working on pure intuition, and strategists at the other, creating structured projections of the future. Within this space, Design Fiction acts as a bridge, merging the imaginative power of fiction with the structured approach of design and strategy.

The Toolbox of Design Fiction

Our panel also explored the various tools within the realm of Design Fiction. The choice of tool excludes short stories. This is not the kind of fiction that is prose-based, which is an understandable misunderstanding. Design Fiction is about the artifact — the physical artifact, such as one might find if one were an archeologist trying to unearth the material cultural evidence of a past world. Only we are metaphorically digging into the future. My preference often leans towards creating artifacts that bring a sense of a possible world to life. For instance, at my studio, we’ve crafted annual reports from the future and challenged organizations to visualize their future as a tangible, narrative experience, rather than just a financial model or presentation.

Real-World Impact and Client Engagement

Addressing the practicality of Design Fiction, I explained to the audience the challenges and strategies of implementing these methods in real-world scenarios. Engaging with clients requires crafting narratives that resonate emotionally and culturally, which can sometimes be as daunting as it is rewarding. Clients often come to us when the future seems uncertain and daunting; our role is to provide a compass through the fog.

The Broader Impact

The conversation didn’t just stop at the application within corporate environments; it extended to the broader societal implications. Design Fiction has the potential to engage communities and foster a collective sense of agency over our shared future. This approach can challenge norms and inspire new ways of thinking beyond conventional frameworks.

Being part of this roundtable reinforced my belief in the transformative power of Design Fiction. It’s about more than predicting the future—it’s about creating and inhabiting futures that are diverse and inclusive. By sharing these insights, I hope to inspire others to harness their imagination as a tool for innovation and change.