Design Emergency Sputniko! aka Hiro Ozaki on speculative design and visionary entrepreneurship
Feb 21, 2024
Hiro Ozaki, known as Sputniko!, is a visionary designer and multimedia artist blending art and technology. She discusses her evolution from a math and computer science student to a leader in speculative design. Hiro introduces her provocative works like the Menstruation Machine, aimed at sparking dialogue on women's health. She shares insights on founding Cradle, an innovative platform for women's health in Japan, and presents her vision for a future where diverse voices shape science and technology. Her compelling characters and projects illustrate a creative journey that challenges norms.
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Origin Of The Sputniko! Persona
- Hiro adopted the high-school nickname 'Sputniko!' derived from Sputnik and Japanese name endings.
- She used this persona to perform music and videos, and the name stuck as her artistic identity.
From STEM To Speculative Design
- Hiro moved from math and computer science to speculative design to explore technological futures.
- RCA's Design Interactions reframed her practice toward designing objects that provoke societal debate.
Making The Menstruation Machine
- Menstruation Machine simulates abdominal pain and menstrual bleeding with electrodes and an 80ml tank.
- Hiro created a music video and put the prototype online to spark conversations about menstrual taboos.