DESIGN FUTURES BRIEF

Brief:

This brief is concerned with the development of a concept that addresses the future and use of new technologies or technological services. That is to say, how technology might manifest itself in years to come and what direct impact it would have on our everyday lives. The basis of this project is to develop a ‘bluesky’ concept working on the principle of ‘what if’. The concept per-say could be derived from a product in as much as tool or for that matter a service. The concept should clearly have a defined rationale behind it and should be generated through a clear consideration of existing technologies and or related services, A clearly defined audience / user group should help to shape the conditions of the language used concerning the sonic, visual and physical elements along with the technical parameters, modes of delivery etc. Considering the time allocated for this project, students will have the opportunity to create a screen based presentation of the concept a ‘look and feel’



Your concept has to include an element of reality and be informed by any emerging or current technology. It must be based on a sound and reasoned set of principles. This is an extremely good opportunity to network your ideas and research into a single concept whilst thinking ‘outside the box’ and to create an imaginative, dynamic and above all original concept. There are no barriers to any considerations given. The concept might refer but not be exclusive to mobile technology, 3D TV, on-line commerce, gaming, interactive clothing, product design, social networking, web 2.0 etc.

Your concept should be delivered through a screen / interactive / motion graphics based presentation. This mechanism of delivery should be seen as part of a presentation technique developed to ‘pitch’ the concept to a company such as a venture capital organisation who would front the research and development process. Your method of explanation concerning the concept, its user, the socio/political context and the impact of the concept should be clear in its communication using a variety of means by which to successfully accomplish this.

The time constraints of this project are limited and subsequently will require students to think conceptually, think on their feet and above all work in a focused and directed manner.

Your workbook in addition should be able to clearly show the sources / influences that have informed both the direction of your thinking and the outcomes derived from the research.




My Thoughts.....

When we first received this brief, I was really confused as to what it was I was supposed to be producing. I have already completed the foundation course connected with this course and the briefs always seemed to be very precise. In some ways this was good because it meant that the product that was being asked to be made could be done exactly to the requirements within the brief, even if it did seem very restricted at the time. This brief, however, seems very open. This just made me think that there's a possibility I could go really wrong and the different ideas and possibilities for the brief confused me when it became time to research the concepts. After analysing the brief, I found a series of questions that may help me narrow down exactly which concept I might want to go with:

• What technologies are around today?
• What are the main priorities of a consumer when considering purchasing a) a necessity, b) a desired product?
• How have people perceived the development of technology in the past?
• Have any past ideals become a reality in present technology?
• What technologies at present are successful and deem a progressive future? (eg, Robotics, communication and stimulation, interactivity.)
• What might benefit the consumer in the future? (Research into target audiences.)

Keeping these questions in mind throughout my research, I decided to think of the things I find interesting now and perhaps what careers I may look into. I enjoy digital illustration, designing and advertising. This brought me to my first research point, the future of advertising......