‘Design fiction’ describes ways of using storytelling techniques, especially in the form of video, to make speculative design ideas feel real. Sam Kinsley offers some insight into uses of design fiction drawing on his extensive research into the relationship between technology development, time consciousness and future prediction.

The talk explores how technology designers employ design fictions as a form of prototyping but also highlights how these ideas frequently bleed into cinema and popular fiction. There are established links between technology companies and film studios, and there is a long history of ‘science advisors’ in Hollywood, but more recently there has also been a growth in ‘vernacular’ video depictions of future technology. As computer scientist Paul Dourish asserts: ‘science fiction does not merely anticipate but actively shapes technological futures through its effect on the collective imagination’. This talk offers examples of ‘design fictions’ and works through some ideas about how design fictions can be created and how they may be useful to experimenting with pervasive media.

These Lunchtime Talks are part of Open Studio Friday, which takes place at the Studio every week.

Do you want to find out what is going on at the Pervasive Media Studio? Are you interested in meeting our residents, talking about a specific project or curious about pervasive media? Why not pack a sandwich and join us for one of our Lunchtime Talks and Open Studio Friday.

Lunchtime Talks are informal presentations by Studio residents and associates. They normally take place at 1pm on Friday, are free and open to everybody who’s interested in what we do.

After the Talk, we also invite you to stay with us for the afternoon to continue the conversation or work on your own projects. We provide chairs, tables, wireless and a great space. You bring what you need to work with (laptop/mobile). Our open afternoons close at 5pm.

Let us know if you’d like a tour of the new space and we’ll be happy to show you around! Send an email to Jason@pmstudio.co.uk

Image taken from Kosareff, S. 2005 Window to the Future, San Francisco: Chronicle Books