Exploring the Future: Speculative Design and the Adjacent Possible

In a recent webinar with the FCAT team, I presented the curious intersection of creativity, technology, and speculative design and the ways to activate them so as to pushing against the constraints and boundaries of “the near future possible.”

I highlighted a significant shift from traditional design thinking to a more expansive, imaginative approach. Today, the practice of imagining harder and creatively exploring potential futures is critical for uncovering revolutionary ideas and unlocking new pathways.

A central theme of the webinar was the “adjacent possible.” This concept involves visualizing future worlds, creating tangible artifacts representative of those possibilities, and using these artifacts to navigate the space between imagination and innovation.

Throughout the session, personal stories illustrated how speculative design influences product development beyond mere incremental changes. The focus is on envisioning transformative breakthroughs that redefine what’s possible.

We also touched upon how speculative design translates intangible products into tangible experiences, particularly within the financial services industry. The recurring idea of imagination as a muscle serves as a reminder that regular creative exploration is essential for meaningful innovation.

For a more comprehensive view of these themes, I invite you to explore the insights shared during our webinar. Discover how speculative design and the adjacent possible are sparking a creative renaissance, continually reshaping our perceptions of the future. Let’s embark on this journey together, expanding our minds to the boundless possibilities ahead.