I found this blog where debates happen on the value of critical design, for instance this blog post from John Thackara
http://designandviolence.moma.org/republic-of-salivation-michael-burton-and-michiko-nitta/
Author: maxmollon
Research Through Design Fiction: Narrative in Real and Imaginary Abstracts
Research Through Design Fiction: Narrative in Real and Imaginary Abstracts
Mark Blythe – Northumbria University Newcastle, UK
Abstract: This paper reflects on the uses of prototypes in “Research through Design” and considers “Design Fiction” as a technique for exploring the potential value of new design work. It begins with an analysis of Research through Design abstracts in the ACM digital library and identifies an emerging language and structure of papers in this emerging field. The abstracts: frame a problem space, introduce a study, often involving the deployment of a prototype, and conclude with considerations, reflections and discussion. This format is then pastiched in a series of design fictions written for a project investigating new and emerging forms of reproduction in Art. The fictions take the form of “imaginary abstracts” which summarize findings of papers that have not been written about prototypes that do not exist. It is argued that framing concept designs as fictional studies can provide a space for research focused critique and development.
Material Belief, BioJewellery Questionnaire
I found this questionnaire from Kerridge. Good for inspiration.
http://materialbeliefs.com/biojewellery/questions.html
For the record, Kerridge also works on public engagement around technology (and science) societal issues.
Kerridge, T. (2009). Does speculative design contribute to public engagement of science and technology? (pp. 1–18). Presented at the Proceedings of the Swiss Design Network Symposium, Lugano.
Abstract:
In the UK there is a considerable and growing body of scientists, funding councils, scientific societies and science communicators from various professional backgrounds who have taken on the task of engaging the public with science and technology (Burchell, 2007; Wynne, 2006). Recent policy commitments to fund these diverse projects have been linked to the ‘problem’ of perceptions of risk attached to outcomes of contemporary technologies including biotechnology and nanotechnology (Kearnes et al., 2006). In this paper I outline some ways in which design practices could contribute to these commitments to the public engagement of science and technology, by focusing on Material Beliefs, a project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 1. Additionally -‐ and in the spirit of the conference theme of Multiple Ways -‐ I would like to cross over to Science and Technology Studies for some assistance with a framework through which to stage a tentative and initial discussion of this contribution.
Design and the founding critic of social innovation
Call for abstract
5th STS Italia Conference
Marine Royer talks about speculative design
Just an extract of her slides where she interestingly refers to technology risks and public engagement
Marine Royer
Ludic design, talk
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlyYtRqfG50]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlyYtRqfG50
More here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludic_interface
http://uxpod.com/ludic-design-an-interview-with-william-gaver/
The Poetics of Design Fiction
http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2513531
ABSTRACT
Design fiction is an emergent field within HCI and interaction design the understanding of which ultimately relies, so we argue, of an integrative account of poetics and design praxis. In this paper we give such an account. Initially, a precise definition of design fiction is given by drawing on the theory of possible worlds found within poetics. Further, we offer a method of practicing design fiction, which relies on the equal integration of literary practice with design practice. The use of this method is demonstrated by 4 design projects from a workshop set up in collaboration with a Danish author. All of this substantiates our notion of a poetics of practicing design fiction, and through our critical examination of related work we conclude on how our approach contribute to HCI and interaction design.
Thomas Markussen & Eva Knutz
Kolding School of Design Aagade
Krzysztof Wodiczko, Critical Vehicles
Imaginaires, technology & filiation
I collect every adverts or documents I find, related to a sense of historical filiation in technology evolution or, in other words: Traces of “imaginaires” of innovation.
For instance I collect youtube videos, like this one, on my my Youtube channel, in this specific playlist .
Here are a selection of them:
The “past-future” of iPhone?
From:
• Nicolas Nova http://betaknowledge.tumblr.com/
• http://windowshighasfuck.tumblr.com/
Why do I blog this?
Except the fact it is funny, I find this old desktop metaphor in a way reassuring, as it reminds of well-known interactions (the ones considered as simple/natural), the first ones we’ve learned, while this is no skeuomorphism, it is symbolic/iconic/pictographic. And I wonder, would it reassure older generations?