Speculative Futures are not as Far Fetched as you once may have Thought

Readings by fortune tellers have always been exciting because as humans we are pretty bad at predicting the future on our own. This is because we tend to apply our own biases to the situation without realising it. We believe that the outcomes we prefer will indeed happen, based on our own experiences, opinions and beliefs. Poetic, but not a scientific way of formulating business objectives for the years ahead. This is where the services of a Speculative Designer are highly prized, particularly in a time when an anticipated outcome feels so far out of reach. Tatiana Toutikian is a speculative designer and she recently chatted with me on the latest episode of YELLO, the popular Designit podcast, to share how it all works. Below is a summary of what we chatted about.

If Hollywood wasn’t first to create the idea of AI, it surely was one of the early adaptors to create an appreciation for sci-fi and exciting other stimulating concepts our future might incorporate. But where is the bridge between the silver screen’s version and the AI that currently makes our home and work life smarter? It is clear that what we see in the movies is not directly what we end up embracing, but why is that? Do designers use the same method of shaping our future as Steven Spielberg and the other spectacular creative thinkers of Hollywood?

Whilst creating incredible versions of reality and AI, Hollywood has a different motive in mind. Basically, producers primarily want to entertain and win audiences and Oscars. Designing futures to put various businesses and sections of humanity ahead of the curve is not the reason we watch movies. Tatiana explained that Hollywood’s motive is sensationalism: to tell a story in the most interesting and vivid way possible. Speculative design, however, is a different beast altogether, and practitioners have an entire professional toolkit at their disposal. This important difference means that all speculated futures are feasible, rather than just being flashy, and actually make a real difference to the part of our life or environment it was created for.

Another important consideration, according to Tatiana, is that each future is suited differently for each industry, depending on what its purpose is. Each future, whether a product or process, needs to be offering a different and better way of approaching a situation, that varies according to the industry. Speculative designers are not employed by a specific organisation, so they don’t design according to that particular organisation’s needs. Rather, they create solutions for products, services and scenarios, and then it is up to the various individual businesses to adapt it to their own needs. Speculative designers can’t get involved in the business, because some futures would have a negative impact on other parts of the environment, even though they are serving the business itself. Tatiana explained that she personally needs to be aware of all possible impacts in order to create a successful future situation for everyone, not something that only serves the business that would otherwise be paying her.

Businesses are keen to know what they can expect in the future, Tatiana assured me, because then they can align their own objectives and vision around the futures that they have been tipped are coming. It makes sense. Especially in the global climate of today, some future knowledge could mean the difference between being viable and going bankrupt. However, its reassuring to know that speculative designers won’t “sell out.” They want to actually have the bigger picture in mind, and create a future that is beneficial to all areas humanity touches, as well as those that are not human.

Details about YELLO Podcast

A Podcast by Designit. Crafted by the designers who work there.

Access the current YELLO episode on Spotify or wherever you get your Podcasts from.

Katja Forbes talks with Los Angeles-based future-thinker, Tatiana Toutikian.

Tatiana works right at the intersection of design, business, social science, and technology. She helps businesses and society create a better future for everyone.