Next – a dissertation-novel: the role of science fiction in design futures

Abstract

We live in a time when chaos, complexity and contradictions are the new normal. These Postnormal Times, characterized by technological acceleration and deep uncertainty, pose a problem for design. Identifying and designing solutions in the same pace of accelerated change is not feasible, especially because accelerating change creates situations in which past refer- ences are not available, and everything is radically new. Because of this, it becomes ever more important to act preemptively, and anticipate problems, dilemmas and opportunities. In design, practices which explore the futures, such as Speculative Design, Design Fiction, Science Fiction Prototyping and Experiential Futures, have in common the use of futures narratives characteristic of the ones from Science Fiction. The genre has a crucial role in so called Design Futures practices, since its mechanism of Cognitive Estrangement allows for authors and readers to imagine alternative futures, compare and build narratives about problems and change in their environment, and think about implications of fictive elements as plausible futures for society. This Masters Dissertation explores the role of science fiction’s mechanisms in Design Futures and, so, widens the horizons of design incorporating science fiction narratives to the repertory of design tools focused on the identification of problems, development and prototyping of solutions. This dissertation does a bibliographic review of Design Futures practices, Futures Studies and Science Fiction. It also brings a case study in which the concepts and tools studied were applied. This dissertation also explores a new format for academic presentation, the Dissertation-Novel, as a way of exploring and exemplifying the concepts discussed within it. This work brings as results the presentation of this new format, a preliminary framework for Postnormal Design, a case study of the framework’s application and narrative designs. It also brings a preliminary research methodology proposal, Heterotopic Research, and a proposal for a new category of disruptive event in Futures Studies, the Node. The research concludes that the use of science fiction narratives in design, more than a framework, offers a new way of thinking and practicing design - for both investigating fictive worlds, and to design for alternative futures.