Unit 4

Speculative
Design 2
Dr. Will Kurlinkus
 Speculative Design
The point of speculative design is to predict and
analyze the future in order to seek change in the
present.
Afro-Futurism
—  What if?...black and African diasporic cultures were at the
center of science fiction and, therefore, scientific futures?

“I’m designing Wakanda with a different eye towards

technology. I’m thinking of technology in a different way. I don’t
want Wakanda to be Silicon Valley or Dubai, or anything like
that. What I want to do is show Wakanda as having technology
that was created in a completely different way than technology
that we know.” (Pitts, 2015, October 2)—Black Panther artist
Brian Stelfreeze
Afro-Futurism

Drawing on
nostalgic myths
and ideals of
African culture,
Afro-futurism
offers new old
ways of viewing
the world
What if the ancient art of Japanese origami
had grounded technological innovation in the
21st Century?
What if
traditionally
feminine
ways of
making had
been at the
center of
mathematics
?
What are the environmental, political, and social
implications of being able to fly?
Sample Brief 1.

Working Well: Design a vision and business case for a way

to promote greater wellbeing when people are at work,
wherever that work takes place, that will contribute to
higher productivity and better overall mental health.

1.  Statement of Need: Current problem description.

2.  The Future and your design
3.  A user story
Sample Brief 2.

Sleep Matters: Design a product, service or system to

improve health and wellbeing by encouraging and/or
enabling better sleep.

1.  Statement of Need: Current problem description.

2.  The Future and your design
3.  A user story
Sample Brief 3.
Eat, Share, Live: Design an inclusive and accessible and multi-
generational kitchen space or kitchen component that works for
all ages, as well as for disabled and non-disabled family
members, so they can prepare, cook and serve food, entertain,
engage in hobbies or work and enjoy life together.

1.  Statement of Need: Current problem description.

2.  The Future and your design
3.  A user story