Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby, "Speculating on Everything," Print Magazine's "Observer: The "Critical Omissions" in PrintMag and Benjamin H. Bratton's "On Speculative Design" both examine the role of design from a new perspective. One of their shared beliefs is that design shouldn't just make life easier or more beautiful; It should make us think critically and even inspire ideas about the future.
In "Speculating on Everything," Dunn and Rabi explore "speculative design," a way for designers to create "what if" scenarios. These scenarios make us question our daily lives and imagine new ways of living. For them, design is a tool that challenges what we take for granted, encourages us to think about big social issues, and opens a conversation about an alternative future.
On the other hand, The Observer: Critical Omission, focuses on the idea that design should not just meet the needs of the customer. It should also be used to highlight social, ethical and environmental issues. This type of design encourages the audience to think critically and reconsider social norms.
Then, in On Speculative Design, Bratton pushes the boundaries even further. He believes that design should not only meet human needs, but also consider the entire planet. He advises designers to go beyond human-centered goals and think about the long-term impact of their work on the environment, other species and future generations.
Together, these ideas show that design can be a way to imagine new futures, challenge our assumptions, and spark important conversations. Speculative design and critical design don't just solve today's problems, but act like a lens through which we can explore new possibilities for the future.