Problematic Milieus: Individuating Speculative Designs

This chapter explores the method of speculative design. It considers the role of speculative practices as an aspect of design that allows HCI practitioners to explore problematics rather than problems. Problems need to be solved, whereas problematics are localities, situations, or experiences, where one can trace the connections between structural, political, and social forces and their implications to foster dialogue and reflection. As such, speculative design offers a theoretically rich approach through which to consider design implications of future and alternative conditions. Such work is discursively generative. To aid in deepening the philosophical aims of speculative design, I employ some of Gilbert Simondon's philosophical concepts, then examine several examples of recent speculative design.