Daily Archives: August 6, 2013

Sci-fi as a breeding ground for ideas

Sci-fi writer Bruce Sterling provides an example of design fiction – “In 2001: A Space Odyssey, the guy’s holding what’s clearly an iPad. It just really looks like one, right?” Sci-fi often has implications on reality. Several of James Bond’s gadgets have made their way into everyday life. These include satellite navigation, underwater cameras and bullet proof glass.

http://vogmae.dropmark.com/133224/2153373

Splendid!

Would I call myself a festival-goer? Perhaps, but I certainly don’t fit the mold. I buy festival tickets without looking at the lineup, I’m a hygiene freak and hate camping. But, I have never not enjoyed myself at a festival. Hence, when my friends tell me to buy a ticket, I do.

Prior to ‘Splendour in the Grass Mud,’ the only camping festival I had been to was ‘Falls Festival’ in Lorne. I have been to Falls twice, and am planning to return this coming New Years. I believe it is the only way to welcome in the New Year. I know every second person and its summer! Given the weather, I was apprehensive about Splendour, to say the least, but it turned out to be the most amazing four nights and five days.

Undoubtedly, my favorite act was ‘Mumford and Sons.’ I was only going to see them, to say that I had seen them. Only knowing three songs, I knew I would enjoy myself but didn’t anticipate they would blow me away. After the opening song, however, I was eating my words. Mumford and Sons are true entertainers. Marcus Mumford effortlessly jumped between vocals, guitar, drums and mandolin. Even the light show that accompanied the performance was astounding and added to the warmth, depth and uplifting nature of the music. There were “candles” (or props that looked like candles), red lights which spanned over the huge audience and smoke. It was splendid!

This experience was further enhanced by the ‘festival atmosphere.’ Everyone there has a passion for music. They aren’t concerned by the weather or how they look, drinks are flowing and often people have come with a large group of friends. It just isn’t the same as seeing someone in concert.

Design Fiction

‘Design fiction’ was a new concept to me prior to reading Matthew Ward’s ‘Design Fiction as Pedagogic Practice.’ Ward discusses design fiction as a useful teaching device. This term is increasingly bandied about but, Ward contends that is has not been historically contextualized or properly scrutinized.

Cleverly and usefully, Ward unpacks the relationship between fiction and design. He writes that “designers produce propositions for a world that is yet to exist.” Ward importantly notes that “we always design for a world that sits, sometimes just slightly, out of sight.” This is because designers design for our future needs, in a fictitious future. Fictitious, because we don’t have the ability to foresee every detail of tomorrow. Designers use “fiction as a testing ground for reality” thus are not limited by today.  

Ward highlights how the use of fiction enables us to think through possible consequences, whether they be intended or unintended. He advises “prototype them in the stories you tell.” By ‘them’ he means designs, and by ‘stories’ he means the way in which we persuade others our designs our necessary. Like many other educators, Ward recognizes and praises the power of imagination.

For the full reading follow this link: http://vogmae.dropmark.com/133224/2153370