DesignFiction: The responsible education

of muggles, Luddites,and skeptics

How Design Changes UsImage: Wright Bros Plane/Da Vinci

Design/Modern Aircraft DesignTopic: Art informs science. What inspires us as children determines the problems we solve and the technological hurdles we tackle as adults.

Concept ArtImage: Dubai Building Concept

Topic: Concept art respects current available technology and known solutions. It doesn't try to

present technology that is unavailable to the market or doesn't yet exist.

http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/product/404/#.VQJIL4FAy5I

Design FictionImage: Hologram Examples

Topic: Unlike science fiction, design fiction takes what is known and combines it with what could be possible to paint a picture of what the future could

look like.

Black Mesa

http://www.moddb.com/members/phaota/images/black-mesa-rocket-command-hologram1

DesignFiction vs.ScienceFiction

This Vision Doesn't Exist Yet, But It Will (Maybe)

Image: 3D PrinterTopic: Design fiction allows us to discover

interest, demand, collaborators and resources, naysayers, and supporters without solving the technical problems (which may or may not be

solvable yet).

http://www.core77.com/posts/22762/voxeljet-Concept-The-First-Continuous-3D-Printer

Share future ideas

This Vision Exists, But We Can't Show YouImage: Metamaterials

Topic: Some kinds of technology have use cases that are specific to a POV that isn't easily

communicated in a 3rd person narrative. In these cases the story is more important than the

technology.

Discussconcerns

It's All About BehaviorImage: Drone delivering package

Topic: Good design fiction demonstrates upcoming technological advances by telling a story about how new tech will change the way

individuals or society will behave in a relateable, convincing way.

Developnarratives

Design a NarrativeImage: Jibo screenshots

Jibo's recent kickstarter video tells the story of a family engaging with Jibo, a personal assistant

robot. Instead of listing features, the family's day-to-day activities, from communicating with each

other to taking photos to playing games all involve Jibo in one way or another.

How Will It Change Your AudienceImage: Jibo screenshots

Topic: There is no mention of Jibo as a better replacement for the family's mobile devices and cameras. It is implied through the narrative that

Jibo will replace mobile devices, through sophisticated AI, intuitive interaction, and user

recognition technology.

Bad Design Fiction Case StudyImage: Circet funding page

Topic: Circet raised funds based on a design fiction video that was badly produced and showed a product that is ultimately impossible to produce. This kind of thing is dangerous – turning a non-technical audience into skeptics makes it harder

for good ideas to get support.

The Laws of Physics Should Be RespectedImage: Projector on arm projecting blackTopic: All the wrong things (throw angle,

projecting black, waterproof projector, thermal issues, detection angle and occlusion, lumens and tracking in high ambient IR) might not be apparent to the audience, but improbable/impossible things

should not be presented as possible for the purposes of raising money.

The Problem Should Be ObviousImage: Guy Using Thing in Bathtub

Topic: Circet is solving a problem for light skinned people who want to use a touch surface

awkwardly with only one hand, on their hairless arms while taking a bath in the dark. Is this a real

problem?

The Solution Should Make SenseImage: Side to side Leela Armband vs. Circet

Topic: If the problem is that current display interfaces are not lightweight, portable, and

waterproof enough, is a bracelet really a sensible option? Sure, but only if it is lighter, more portable,

more waterproof and actually works. Wearables are extra things to carry and remember. The processor in your phone/rasberry pi etc...,

waterproofing? Try typing on your arm for a bit... wristlojockimator

Doing it right - The POV Should Be ConsideredImage: VR example with multiple people

Topic: Dealing with POV in VR videos can be a challenge – combine immersive with 3rd person. Focus on the feeling, not the actual 'here's what

you see, exactly.' Do not show shared experiences where none are possible.

Three rules:

Doing it Right - Don't Assume ImaginationImage: Pencil sketch of idea

Topic: Leave as little as possible to the audience's imagination as far as the experience is concerned. The best way to communicate the vision, short of

putting them in it, is to show someone else experiencing and reacting to it with as much

realism as possible.

Focus on the experience

The Tech Is Not The StoryImage: Guy holding miscellaneous device

Or focus on what's inside your gadget, or how it works except in the simplest terms. It doesn’t

matter how it works. It matters THAT it works and WHAT HAPPENS when it works.

Stick to what is possible soon

Selling the SizzleImage: Bad Laser Tag Ad

Don't sell an impossible vision

Selling the SteakImage: Good Laser Tag Ad

How to Know You Did It RightImage: Guy throwing flip phone in garbage

Good design fiction conveys a vision, but doesn't try to convince you the product exists.

If it does, it’s snake oil.

meg@lumoplay.com@meghanrabbit