WE MAKE FUTURES TANGIBLE. WE DESIGN THE PERCEPTION OF INNOVATIONS.
Together with our clients and other experts we devise plausible future scenarios and use cases for the application of emerging technologies. These scenarios are translated into so-called Science Fiction Prototypes: speculative products and services that are communicated using meaningful interactions, objects, models, films and simulations. Through these SF-Prototypes we initiate a dialogue with various stakeholders to discuss the scenario’s inherent chances and risks, its potential applications and implications. The insights from this dialogue are then used to formulate concrete recommendations concerning future design, development and strategy. The main benefits from our work lie in the areas of marketing and PR as well as innovation management.
Our services can be divided into different phases that can be used in conjunction or independently:
1 SCENARIO DEVELOPMENT
Initially we investigate the topic/the innovation at hand. Together with our clients and (depending on project requirements) with experts/scientists we develop several plausible scenarios. more
The scenarios:
- contain ideas for the concrete application of the innovation, i.e. speculative products and services,
- consider probable and possible future technological and societal developments,
- put the innovation in distinct (possibly novel) contexts,
- show concrete implications (e.g. benefits) on an individual and societal level,
- are usually set several years in the future (e.g. one, five, ten or more years) and
- are set out in writing.
2 SCIENCE FICTION PROTOTYPES
Now we translate the scenarios into SF-Prototypes. These are speculative (not yet developed, but fundamentally feasible) products and services that are envisioned and simulated through objects, videos, interactions, models, software or visualisations. Futures become tangible, discussible and assessable. more
The SF-Prototypes:
- demonstrate how to interact with the product/the service and how to use it,
- show how the product’s/the service’s functions are communicated and how it looks like (aesthetics),
- place the scenario in every day environments and relevant contexts,
- act as tools to initiate debate about desirable (and undesirable) futures,
- allow for an easier introduction and marketing of innovations and
- generate new knowledge about possible applications by working on the level of the actual design that can then feed back into research and development.
3 DIALOGUE
The developed SF-Prototypes are especially useful in participatory innovation processes. These are innovation processes in terms of Open Innovation that strive to include the experience and knowledge of external stakeholders. Using the SF-Prototypes, the scenarios are discussed through established participatory methods. more
The dialogue:
- is usually initiated through workshops but can be extended to a range of outputs including public interventions, interviews, events, exhibitions or web pages,
- deploys the knowledge and experience of all parties concerned (esp. those of non-experts),
- enables the development of further user requirements (i.e. what functionalities are expected in a product/service),
- promotes the innovation and positions the organisation behind it as innovator
- develops the basis for qualified strategic decision-making.
4 INSIGHTS
The findings are translated into recommendations for future strategy, development and design. They are usually provided via presentations and a thorough written report.
