Speculative design: methods and techniques

Abstract

Speculative design is a type of design practice that focuses on critical future design proposals. The goal is not to present design proposals that are commercially motivated, but rather to present design proposals that identify and debate critical issues that may arise in the future [1]. Speculative Design is concerned with the future implications and consequences of science, technology, and humans. We conduct a series of speculative design workshops over the span of two months and create some design concepts that expand into a future world. The motive behind conducting these workshops is to apply and assess various methods recognized in the phase 1 of this study. To do this, the topic chosen for the workshops was Clothing and associated taboos in India. This topic was chosen due to its relatability and denial of taboo’s existence in the present society. Moreover, clothing’s association can be clearly made out at societal, cultural and individual level.