Introduction

Speculative design is an approach to design that aims to explore possible futures and provoke reflection on the social, political, and ethical implications of new technologies and systems. By using techniques of future projection, storytelling, and experimentation, speculative design allows designers to rethink the relationships between humans, technologies, and the environment.

To give you a better idea of what speculative design is and its implications in society, we will examine four examples : 

1. Black Mirror

In the series « Black Mirror » each episode shows us what our world could look like under the influence of technology. For example: lenses that can record our day, a dating system that shows each relationship has a start and end date, a device that allows us to view our memories on a screen, and more.

2. Knowledge Navigator

The famous « Knowledge Navigator » that Apple created in 1987 illustrated a grand vision of technology. The interfaces and video technologies included voice recognition, video conferencing, software agents, etc.

3. Uninvited Guests

Uninvited Guests is a project that explores the frictions between an elderly man and smart objects in his home, providing a glimpse into a future where smart devices will indeed control the lives of the elderly.

4. Soli

Google ATAP's Soli project (touchless gesture interaction) is set to change several mental models, creating new challenges in behavioral design.

Conclusion

Speculative design is particularly relevant in the current context due to the rapid pace of technological innovations and the uncertainty surrounding the social and environmental impacts of these technologies. By exploring possible futures, designers can identify risks and opportunities associated with new technologies and propose alternative solutions to avoid negative impacts.