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Scratching the Surface
267. Julian Bleecker
Mar 19, 2025
In this discussion, Julian Bleecker, a visionary researcher and founder of Near Future Laboratory, dives into the fascinating world of design fiction, blending art, technology, and imagination. He shares insights on its origins and how it can reshape corporate innovation and design education. Bleecker emphasizes the importance of storytelling and collaboration in envisioning future possibilities, drawing from pop culture influences. This conversation also explores how design students can rediscover creativity and reshape their approaches to architectural learning.
01:03:02
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Quick takeaways
- Julian Bleecker illustrates how design fiction transforms abstract future ideas into tangible prototypes, facilitating deeper conversations about technological implications.
- His work emphasizes the need for designers to merge storytelling with engineering, enabling emotionally resonant experiences that evoke imagination and creativity.
Deep dives
The Essence of Design Fiction
Design fiction is defined as creating tangible prototypes from possible near futures to explore and understand the implications of decision-making. This practice aims to make abstract futures more concrete by presenting them through familiar objects and narratives. By employing design fiction, creators can stimulate imagination and provoke conversation about future possibilities, bridging the gap between design, science, and speculative thought. The practice encourages designers to think beyond traditional commercial applications and recognize the potential of creative methodologies in various contexts.
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Discover
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