A Vocabulary for Visions in Designing for Transitions

Abstract

Visions of sustainable futures have been proposed as a key component of transition design, offering a way for today's situations and design proposals to be compared and critiqued in the light of desired future states. Such ambitions are necessarily wide-ranging, and call for drawing together strands on design and speculation from diverse sources. Here we seek to add to the momentum by exploring a set of concepts relating particularly to this role of vision in designing for transitions. Building on perspectives and projects from other fields, we present elements of a visionary vocabulary, situating these terms in relation to challenges and opportunities for transition thinking and practice in design research.

Full text

!
!
!
!
"#$%!&'()!$%!*$+,-%,.!/-.,(!0!1(,02$3,!1'44'-%!522($6/2$'-78'-1'44,(+$0*79#0(,!5*$),!:;<!
=-2,(-02$'-0*!>$+,-%,;!
#22?%@AA+(,02$3,+'44'-%;'(BA*$+,-%,%A6C7-+7%0A:;<A!! !
!
! !
!
!
!
A!Vocabulary!for!Visions!in!Designing!for!Transitions!
>D1E"D8F!G0-0H!0-.!158GIF!92/0(26!
!
0=40B$-0($,%!>06F!9+#''*!'J!G,%$B-F!10(-,B$,!K,**'-!L-$3,(%$2CF!M$22%6/(B#F!M5F!L-$2,.!9202,%!
69$2/02$'-!>06F!9+#''*!'J!G,%$B-F!10(-,B$,!K,**'-!L-$3,(%$2CF!M$22%6/(B#F!M5F!L-$2,.!9202,%!
H!1'((,%?'-.$-B!0/2#'(!,740$*@!.0-*'+)2'-N+4/;,./!
.'$@!O<;POQ<QA.40;P<OR;SST!
U$%$'-%!'J!%/%20$-06*,!J/2/(,%!#03,!6,,-!?('?'%,.!0%!0!),C!+'4?'-,-2!'J!2(0-%$2$'-!
.,%$B-F!'JJ,($-B! 0! &0C! J'(!2' .0CV%! %$2/02$'-%! 0-.! .,%$B-!?('?'%0*%! 2'! 6,! +'4?0(,.!
0-.! +($2$W/,.! $-! 2#,! *$B#2! 'J! .,%$(,.! J/2/(,! %202,%;!9/+#! 046$2$'-%! 0(,! -,+,%%0($*C!
&$.,7(0-B$-BF!0-.!+0**!J'(!.(0&$-B!2'B,2#,(!%2(0-.%!'-!.,%$B-! 0-.! %?,+/*02$'-!J('4!
.$3,(%,! %'/(+,%;! X,(,! &,! %,,)! 2'! 0..! 2'! 2#,! 4'4,-2/4! 6C! ,Y?*'($-B! 0! %,2! 'J!
+'-+,?2%! (,*02$-B! ?0(2$+/*0(*C! 2'! 2#$%! ('*,! 'J! 3$%$'-! $-! .,%$B-$-B! J'(! 2(0-%$2$'-%;!
Z/$*.$-B! '-! ?,(%?,+2$3,%! 0-.! ?('[,+2%!J('4! '2#,(! J$,*.%F! &,! ?(,%,-2! ,*,4,-2%! 'J! 0!
3$%$'-0(C! 3'+06/*0(CF! %$2/02$-B! 2#,%,! 2,(4%! $-! (,*02$'-! 2'! +#0**,-B,%! 0-.!
'??'(2/-$2$,%!J'(!2(0-%$2$'-!2#$-)$-B!0-.!?(0+2$+,!$-!.,%$B-!(,%,0(+#;!
Keywords:*futures,*imaginaries,*visioning,*transition*design**
Introduction!!
54'-B!2#,!?('?'%,.!,*,4,-2%!'J!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-F!\3$%$'-%!'J!%/%20$-06*,!J/2/(,%]!J,02/(,!+,-2(0**CF!
$-!'(.,(!2#02!\+'-2,4?'(0(C!*$J,%2C*,%!0-.!.,%$B-!$-2,(3,-2$'-%!+0-!6,!0%%,%%,.!0-.!+($2$W/,.!
0B0$-%2!0!.,%$(,.!J/2/(,!%202,]!^=(&$-F!E'%%'JJF!"'-)$-&$%,F!_!9+/?,**$F!P<OS0F!?;T`;!"#,!6$B7?$+2/(,!
046$2$'-%!'J!%/+#!0-!0B,-.0!?'$-2!2'!0!-,,.!J'(!,Y?*'($-B!0-.!%C-2#,%$%$-B!0??('0+#,%!J('4!
?(0+2$2$'-,(%!0-.!(,%,0(+#,(%!$-!'2#,(!J$,*.%!&#'%,!&'()!.,0*%!&$2#!W/,%2$'-%!'J!3$%$'-F!J/2/(,%F!0-.!
#'&!2#,C!(,*02,!2'!2#,!?(,%,-2;!D-,!%20(2$-B!?'$-2!#,(,F!2'!J'**'&!J('4!2#$%!-,,.F!$%!2'!20),!%2,?%!2'!
,W/$?!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-,(%!&$2#!0!3'+06/*0(Ca0!(,?,(2'$(,!'J!+'-+,?2%a&#$+#!+0-!6'2#!40),!2#,%,!
0??('0+#,%!4'(,!%0*$,-2F!0-.!#,*?!40),!2#,4!,0%$,(!2'!,-B0B,!&$2#;!!!!
=-!2#$%!?$,+,!&,!%,,)!2'!,Y?*'(,!0!%,2!'J!+'-+,?2%!(,*02$-B!?0(2$+/*0(*C!2'!2#$%!('*,!'J!3$%$'-!$-!
.,%$B-$-B!J'(!2(0-%$2$'-%F!&#$+#!%20(2!2'!6/$*.!/?!,*,4,-2%!'J!0!3'+06/*0(C;!=-!?(,*$4$-0(C!J0%#$'-!&,!
6/$*.!'-!?,(%?,+2$3,%!0-.!?('[,+2%!J('4!'2#,(!J$,*.%F!0-.!0$4!2'!%$2/02,!2#,4!$-!(,*02$'-!2'!
+#0**,-B,%!0-.!'??'(2/-$2$,%!J'(!2(0-%$2$'-!2#$-)$-B!0-.!?(0+2$+,;!9'4,!#03,!6,,-!-'2,.!$-!
2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-!*$2,(02/(,!6,J'(,F!&#$*,!'2#,(%!#03,!-'2F!6/2!0**!0(,!,%206*$%#,.!+'-+,?2%!(02#,(!
2#0-!-,&!+'$-0B,%;!D/(!?/(?'%,!$%!2'!$.,-2$JC!0-.!6'(('&!J('4!,Y$%2$-B!?(0+2$+,!%'4,!?'2,-2$0**C!

/%,J/*!#,/($%2$+%F!4'3,%F!?#$*'%'?#$+0*!?('.%F!'(!lenses!2#02!%,,4!2'!'JJ,(!?('4$%,!2'!2#'%,!),,-!2'!
,-B0B,!$-!.,%$B-!&$2#!2(0-%$2$'-0*!0B,-.0%!$-!3$,&;!5%%,46*,.!#,(,F!2#,-F!0(,!%,3,-!&0C%!'J!%,,$-BF!
J'(!20+)*$-B!2#,!b3$%$'-0(CV!0%?,+2!'J!.,%$B-$-B!J'(!2(0-%$2$'-%;!"#,!%,3,-!0(,@!Lenses!2#,4%,*3,%c!
Imaginariesc!Backcastingc!Dark*matterc!Circularityc!Experiential*futuresc!0-.!New*metaphors;!d#02!
J'**'&%!.,%+($6,%!,0+#!*,-%!0-.!,Y?*0$-%!$2%!(,*,30-+,!2'!2#,!,4,(B$-B!?(0+2$+,!0%!&,!+/((,-2*C!%,,!$2;!
5!-'2,!'-!2#$%!?0?,(V%!%2(/+2/(,@!&,!#03,!,Y?,($4,-2,.!%'4,&#02!&$2#!0!4'(,!4'./*0(!%2(/+2/(,F!
$-+*/.$-B!0!%#'(2!G$%+/%%$'-!%,+2$'-F!Why*have*we*included*this?F!0J2,(!,0+#!+'-+,?2;!D/(!$-2,-2$'-!$%!
2#02!2#$%!?'2,-2$0**C!40),%!$2!,0%$,(!J'(!'/(%,*3,%!0-.!'2#,(%!2'!0..!2'!2#,!3'+06/*0(CF!6C!),,?$-B!
.$%+/%%$'-!+*'%,!2'!2#,!+'-+,?2%!2#,4%,*3,%;!!!
Methodology:!Lenses!
D/(!4,2#'.'*'BC!$-!+#''%$-B!2#,!,*,4,-2%!J'(!2#$%!3'+06/*0(C!$%!+,-2(,.!0('/-.!2#,!$.,0!'J!*,-%,%a
&,!0(,!+*0$4$-B!-'2#$-B!4'(,!2#0-!+'**,+2$-B!2'B,2#,(!0!%,2!'J!.$JJ,(,-2!2''*%!J'(!%,,$-BF!&#$+#!$-!0!
?',2$+!&0C!&,!J,,*!0(,!+'4?*,4,-20(CF!0%!0!?('?'%$2$'-!0-.!%20(2$-B!?'$-2!J'(!'2#,(%!2'!6/$*.!'-;!
"#,(,!0(,!40-C!'2#,(!+'-+,?2%!&,!+'/*.!#03,!+#'%,-F!6/2!2#$%!$%!2#,!%,2!2#02!&,!.$.!+#''%,;!!
"#$%!J$(%2!%,2!'J!*,-%,%!'3,(0**!.(0&%!$-%?$(02$'-!J('4!0!-/46,(!'J!&'()%!2#02!#03,!%'/B#2!2'!,Y?0-.!
2#,!3'+06/*0(C!'J!+'-+,?2%!'(!(,?,(2'$(,!'J!B046$2%!(,0.$*C!030$*06*,!$-!'-,!.'40$-!'(!0-'2#,(;!"#,!
0(+#$2,+2!5*,Y0-.,(!0-.!+'**,0B/,%V!+*0%%$+!A!Pattern*Language*^OeRR`!$%!'-,!%/+#c!.,%$B-,(!X$**V%!
4'(,!(,+,-2!Dark*Matter*and*Trojan*Horses*^P<OP`!$%!0-'2#,(;!K/%$+$0-!f-'!0-.!0(2$%2!9+#4$.2V%!
Oblique*Strategies*+0(.%!^OeRS`!#'3,(!B,-,(02$3,*C!$-!2#,!60+)B('/-.c!*$),&$%,!2#,!Group*Works!+0(.!
.,+)!+(,02,.!6C!2#,!g('/?!M022,(-!>0-B/0B,!M('[,+2!^P<OO`F!0!.,+)!+'**,+2$-B!+'-+,?2%!0-.!4'3,%!
J'(!J0+$*$202$'-c!0-.!2#,02(,!.$(,+2'(!Z'0*V%!Games*for*Actors*and*Non-actors*^P<<P`;!g04,%!40),(!
9+#,**V%!The*Art*of*Game*Design:*A*Book*of*Lenses!^P<<T`F!0-'2#,(!4,46,(!'J!2#$%!,Y2,-.,.!J04$*CF!$%!
0!#,*?J/*!(,J,(,-+,!,3,-!$J!&,!0(,!-'2!-,+,%%0($*C!/%$-B!#$%!J'+0*!2,(4!$-!W/$2,!2#,!%04,!&0C;!
>'+)2'-F!X0(($%'-F!0-.!920-2'-!^P<Ohc!P<O<`!.$%+/%%!0!30($,2C!'J!?022,(-7*$),!J'(402%!J'(!.,%$B-!2''*%F!
0(($3$-B!02!b*,-%,%V!0%!0!4,20?#'(!J'(!.$JJ,(,-2!&'(*.3$,&%!'J!#/40-!6,#03$'/(;!D/(!'&-!/%,!'J!
b*,-%V!#,(,!$%!?('606*C!0!6$2!+*'%,(!2'!2#,!%?$($2!'J!?#$*'%'?#,(!G,--,22V%!$-3,-2'(C!'J!\#0-.C!
?('%2#,2$+!$40B$-02$'-7,Y2,-.,(%!0-.!J'+/%7#'*.,(%]F!$-!Intuition*Pumps*and*Other*Tools*for*
Thinking!^P<OhF!?;!P`;!5-.!'-,!J$-0*!4'.,*!2'!4,-2$'-F!?%C+#'*'B$%2!G,!Z'-'V%!Wordpower!^OeRRF!
?;:`!+'**,+2%!0!(0-B,!'J!2,(4%!&$2#!2#,!?'?/*0(!,Y?0-%$'-!'J!%C%2,4%!*$2,(0+C!$-!4$-.@!!
[A]n*understanding*of*dynamic*and*interactive*systems*means*a*whole*new*way*of*
looking*at*processes*rather*than*just*at*things.*For*this*purpose*we*are*only*now*
beginning*to*build*an*adequate*vocabulary.*When*we*have*built*this*vocabulary*and*
assimilated*the*related*concepts*our*understanding*of*the*world*around*will*be*much*
improved.*This*I*see*as*the*next*quantum*step*in*our*cultural*development.*
d,!.'!-'2!?(,2,-.!2#02!2#,%,!J(0B4,-2%!+'-20$-!0-C2#$-B!0%!$4?(,%%$3,!0%!2#,$(!%'/(+,%!'J!
$-%?$(02$'-F!'(!2#02!2#,!%40**!%20(2,(!%,2!B02#,(,.!#,(,!$%!-,+,%%0($*C!?0(2!'J!0-!$4?,-.$-B!bW/0-2/4!
%2,?!$-!+/*2/(0*!.,3,*'?4,-2V;!X'&,3,(F!&,!0(,!$-2,(,%2,.!$-!+'-2($6/2$-B!2'!2#,!(,%,(3'$(!'J!
030$*06*,!0??('0+#,%!2'!2#,!&'(2#CF!046$2$'/%!J'(4%!'J!,4,(B$-B!?(0+2$+,!'/2*$-,.!$-!2(0-%$2$'-!
.,%$B-!*$2,(02/(,!2'!.02,!^E'%%'JJF!=(&$-F!_!d$**$%F!P<OS`;!"#,!?('4$%,!'J!/%,J/*-,%%!J'(!B/$.$-B!0-!
0%?$($-B!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-,(V%!022,-2$'-!0-.!0+2$'-!$-!2#,!0(,0!'J!3$%$'-!#0%!%,(3,.!0%!2#,!40$-!60%$%!
J'(!%,*,+2$-B!2#,%,!*,-%,%;!
5-.!2#,!J$(%2!*,-%!2'!#$B#*$B#2!$%!2#02!'J!*,-%,%!2#,4%,*3,%;!"#,!30($'/%!&'()%!+$2,.!06'3,!0**!%,,4!2'!
40-$J,%2!0!%$4$*0(!$4?/*%,a0!)$-.!'J!4'./*0(F!20+2$+0*F!?(0B402$+F!+(,02$3,F!'?,-74$-.,.!+'**,+2'(V%!
0??('0+#!2'!B02#,($-B!0-.!$-.,Y$-B!,*,4,-2%!'J!$-2,**,+2/0*F!'?,(02$'-0*!0-.!0(2$%2$+!/%,J/*-,%%;!
K0-C!J$,*.%!'J!+'/(%,!#03,!2#,$(!'&-!40%2,(!2,(4!J'(!%/+#!+'**,+2$'-%@!2#,!b?*0C6'')V!$-!+,(20$-!
%?'(2%c!+'')6'')c!%'-B6'')c!,-+C+*'?,.$0;!"#,!2,(4!b%+'(,V!0%!0-!'(B0-$%$-B!+02,B'(C!$%!?,(#0?%!
6,%2!)-'&-!$-!+'--,+2$'-!&$2#!4/%$+F!6/2!$-!2#,!#0-.%!'J!*0-.%+0?,!0(+#$2,+2!X0*?($-!^OeR<`!,Y2,-.%!
2'!40-C!'2#,(!0+2$3$2$,%;!L-%/(?($%$-B*C!?,(#0?%F!2#,!0(,0!'J!*0-B/0B,!'JJ,(%!40-C!'(B0-$%$-B!J(04,%!

^0-.!2#,(,V%!0-'2#,(!4,20?#'(`!02!.$JJ,(,-2!*,3,*%F!$-+*/.$-B!b*0-B/0B,V!$2%,*JF!*$6(0(CF!3'+06/*0(CF!
.$+2$'-0(CF!B(0440(F!0-.!0*?#06,2;!D-,!'J!2#,!4'%2!J(/$2J/**C!+020*C2$+!'(B0-$%$-B!+'-+,?2%!J'(!
4'./*0(!+'**,+2$'-%!'J!)-'&*,.B,!?0(*0C%!2#,!+'4?'-,-2!b?022,(-V!^J0%#$'-`!$-2'!0!.,%$B-,(*C!
0BB(,B02,F!b?022,(-!*0-B/0B,VF!J$(%2!,*06'(02,.!$-!0(+#$2,+2/(,!^5*,Y0-.,(!,2!0*;F!OeRR`F!0-.!%$-+,!
&$.,*C!20),-!/?!$-!%'J2&0(,!.,3,*'?4,-2!^g0440!,2!0*;F!Oee:`!0-.!$-2,(0+2$'-!.,%$B-!^"$.&,**F!
P<<Sc!i$-+#,(F!P<OP`;!!
5**!'J!2#,!06'3,!0(,!0*2,(-02$3,!4,20?#'(%!+0((C$-B!.$JJ,(,-2!,-20$*4,-2%!^%,,!New!metaphors`!0-.F!
0.4$22,.*CF!+'-%$.,(06*,!?'2,-2$0*!J'(!%,*J7(,J,(,-2$0*!+'-J/%$'-;!d,!#03,!+#'%,-!b*,-%,%V!0%!0!
.,*$6,(02,!,Y2,-%$'-!'J!2#,!b3$%$'-V!4,20?#'(!0-.!0!+,-2(0*!+#0**,-B,!+'-20$-,.!$-!.,%$B-$-B!J'(!
2(0-%$2$'-@!$40B$-$-B!0-.!+020*C%$-B!0!^?(,%/406*C`!(0.$+0**C!.$JJ,(,-2!%C%2,4$+!%202,;!8,&!&0C%!'J!
.'$-B!0-.!%,,$-B!B'!#0-.!$-!#0-.c!2#,!*022,(!0(,!?,(#0?%!40(B$-0**C!,0%$,(!2'!&($2,!06'/2F!6/2!&,!2(C!
2'!6*/(!2#02!6'/-.0(C!&#,(,3,(!?'%%$6*,;!
Discussion:)Why)have)we)included)this?)
G,%$B-$-B!J'(!2(0-%$2$'-%!$%!046$2$'/%;!=2!$%!$-#,(,-2*C!4/*2$%+0*0(!0-.!$-2,(7!$J!-'2!J/**C!
2(0-%.$%+$?*$-0(C;!=2%!&'/*.76,!?(0+2$2$'-,(%!-,,.!&0C%!'J!%#0($-B!&#02!2#,C!0(,!.'$-BF!&#02!%,,4%!
2'!&'()F!0-.!02!2#$%!%20B,!2#,!0??('?($02,!2#$-)$-B!0-.!*,0(-$-B!2''*%!0(,!6'/-.!2'!6,!4'./*0(!0-.!
?$,+,4,0*!(02#,(!2#0-!0**7,-+'4?0%%$-B;!d,!%/BB,%2!2#02!2#$%!-'2$'-!'J!?022,(-%!'(!*,-%,%!jj!2#,!
4'./*0(!+'**,+2$'-!0-.!.,?*'C4,-2!'J!0??('0+#,%!2'!,Y04$-$-BF!2#$-)$-B!06'/2F!0-.!0+2$-B!$-!
30($'/%!%$2/02$'-%!jj!$2%,*J!#0(6'/(%!?'2,-2$0*!0%!?0(2!'J!2#,!.,3,*'?4,-2!'J!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-!
?(0+2$+,;!
Related:*heuristic,*new)metaphors,*pattern*language,*playbook,*score!
!
Imaginaries!
K$-.%,2!#0%!6,,-!-04,.!0!+'(,!+'4?'-,-2!'J!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-!^=(&$-!,2!0*;F!P<OS6`F!?($40($*C!
,Y?(,%%,.!2#('/B#!2#,!$.,0!2#02!\'?,--,%%F!4$-.J/*-,%%F!0-.!%,*J7(,J*,+2$'-]!0(,!+(/+$0*!&#,-!
.,%$B-$-B!&$2#!2(0-%$2$'-!$-!3$,&;!=-!0..$2$'-!2'!2#,%,!022$2/.$-0*!0%?,+2%F!0-'2#,(!*,3,*!02!&#$+#!
4$-.%,2!+'-%$.,(02$'-%!0-.!&0C%!'J!2#$-)$-B!+0-!6,!,Y?*'(,.F!?0(2$+/*0(*C!$-!2#,!+'-2,Y2!'J!3$%$'-$-BF!
$%!J'/-.!$-!2#,!-'2$'-!'J!imaginaries;!X,(,!&,!0(B/,!2#02F!0%!0!*,-%F!2/-$-B!$-2'!0-.!$-3,%2$B02$-B!2#,!
b$40B$-0(CVF!&$2#!(,B0(.!6'2#!2'!+/((,-2!%$2/02$'-%!0-.!2'!?'%%$6*,!J/2/(,%F!?('4$%,%!$-30*/06*,!
$-%$B#2%!J'(!3$%$'-$-B;!!!!!
d#02!0(,!$40B$-0($,%k!"#,!3,(C!6('0.!%,-%,!$-!&#$+#!&,!/%,!2#,!2,(4!#,(,!$-+*/.,%@!%'+$,20*7*,3,*!
+'-+,?2$'-%!^5??0./(0$F!Oee<`!'(!^02!*,0%2!?0(2*C7`!%#0(,.!3$%$'-%!'J!$%%/,%!%/+#!0%!+*$402,!+#0-B,F!
#,0*2#F!$44$B(02$'-F!$.,-2$2CF!*0&F!'(!,3,-!+'/-2($,%!2#,4%,*3,%!^5-.,(%'-F!OeTh`c!4C2#%!0-.!6,*$,J%!
&#$+#!+0-!4'2$302,!+'**06'(02$'-!^X0(0($F!P<O:`c!'(!%'+$'2,+#-$+0*!-0((02$3,%!06'/2!#'&!+,(20$-!
2C?,%!'J!2,+#-'*'B$+0*!.,3,*'?4,-2!+'/*.!0JJ,+2!2#,!&0C!&,!*$3,!^l0%0-'JJ!_!E$4F!P<OS`c!0*'-B!&$2#!
4'(,!$-.$3$./0*!'(!%40**7B('/?!%+0*,!-'2$'-%!?,(#0?%!4'(,!J04$*$0(!2'!$-2,(0+2$'-!.,%$B-,(%F!%/+#!0%!
4,-20*!4'.,*%!^,;B;!m,3,**!_!920-2'-F!P<ORc!l'-,%!,2!0*;F!P<OO`F!4,-20*!$40B,(CF!0%%'+$02$'-%F!
4,20?#'(%!^%,,!New!metaphors`F!0-.!%'!'-;!"#,(,!$%!0-!0(B/4,-2!2#02!$40B$-0($,%!'J!J/2/(,%!+0-!
0JJ,+2!?,'?*,V%!0+2$'-%!$-!2#,!?(,%,-2!^>0-n,-$F!P<OQc!l0%0-'JJ!_!E$4F!P<OS`F!0-.!2#,!(,*02,.!+'-+,?2!
'J!0!+/*2/(,V%!b$40B,%!'J!2#,!J/2/(,VF!.,3,*'?,.!6C!%'+$'*'B$%2!M'*0)!$-!2#,!OeS<%F!?('?'%,%!?(,+$%,*C!
2#$%!^OeRh!oOeSSpF!?;!Oe`@!
Any*student*of*the*rise*and*fall*of*cultures*cannot*fail*to*be*impressed*by*the*role*played*
in*this*historical*succession*of*the*future.*The*rise*and*fall*of*images*of*the*future*
precedes*or*accompanies*the*rise*and*fall*of*cultures.*As*long*as*a*society’s*image*is*
positive*and*flourishing,*the*flower*of*culture*is*in*full*bloom.*Once*the*image*begins*to*
decay*and*lose*its*vitality,*however,*the*culture*does*not*long*survive.**

"#$%!40C!6,!%0$.!2'!(,?(,%,-2!0!)$-.!'J!%,*J7J/*J$**$-B-,%%!^%,,!Circularity`F!6/2!$40B$-0($,%!.'!-'2!
,4,(B,!$-.,?,-.,-2*C@!2#'%,!2#02!&,!#03,!0(,!+'-%2(/+2,.F!'3,(!2#,!+'/(%,%!'J!'/(!*$3,%F!2#('/B#!
6'2#!'/(!%'+$0*!0-.!,Y?,($,-2$0*!+'-2,Y2%;!"#,C!0(,!-'2!?,(40-,-2F!6/2!2#,C!0(,!'J2,-!?,(%$%2,-2;!
G,%$B-a0-.!0(2%!4'(,!6('0.*Ca+0-!6,!%,,-!0%!0!J'(4!'J!*0-B/0B,!,-+'4?0%%$-B!2#,!J$+2$'-0*!'(!
$40B$-0(CF!40)$-B!$2!(,0*!,-'/B#!2'!6,!0..(,%%06*,F!2'!6,!+'-%$.,(,.!0-.!+($2$W/,.!0-.!(,J*,+2,.!'-;!
G$*-'2!^P<OS`!%/BB,%2%!2#02!.,%$B-!%$4/*20-,'/%*C!states!\"#$%q]!0-.!asks!\"#$%k]!=2!#0%!2#,!?'&,(!2'!
(,-.,(!3$%$6*,!0-.!20-B$6*,!$40B$-,.!%$2/02$'-%F!&#,2#,(!6,22,(!'(!&'(%,!2#0-!2#,!'-,%!&,!0(,!$-c!2'!
.,%$B-!0(2,J0+2%!0%!b2'),-%!'J!6,22,(!0B,%Vc!2'!0??*C!$.,0%!'J!/2'?$0!0%!0!4,2#'.!^>,3$20%F!P<Oh`c!0-.!
2'!$-%?$(,!0-.!'?,-!/?!3$%20%a$J!-'2!0*&0C%!0+2/0*!40?%a2'&0(.%!.$JJ,(,-2!J/2/(,%F!2#('/B#!
%?,+/*02$'-!0-.!.,%$B-!J$+2$'-;!d#02!.'!.,%$B-,(%!.'F!$J!-'2F!$-!%'4,!%,-%,F!B$3,!/%!,Y?,($,-2$0*!
?'+),2%!'J!$40B$-0($,%a'/(!'&-F!(,J*,+2,.!60+)!02!/%F!0%!&,**!0%!3$%$'-%!'J!0*2,(-02$3,%F!J$+2$'-0*!J'(!
2#,!2$4,!6,$-BF!6/2!2'&0(.%!&#$+#!&,!4$B#2!6,!$-!2(0-%$2$'-k!^%,,!Experiential!futures`!
5%!0!?('+,%%F!$-3,%2$B02$-B!$40B$-0($,%!%20(2%!6C!,-B0B$-B!&$2#F!0-.!%,,)$-B!2'!/-.,(%20-.F!?,'?*,V%!
,Y$%2$-B!+'**,+2$3,!'(!$-.$3$./0*!+'-+,?2$'-%!'J!2#,$(!%$2/02$'-c!#'&!2#,!%C%2,4%!0('/-.!2#,4!&'()F!
J('4!2#,$(!?,(%?,+2$3,c!0-.!&#02!4$-.%,2%!0++'4?0-C!2#'%,!+'-+,?2$'-%!^i$B/(,!Oc!i$B/(,!P`;!"#,-F!
2#('/B#!,Y2,(-0*$%$-B!2#'%,!$40B$-0($,%F!'(!40)$-B!2#,4!20-B$6*,!'(!,-B0B,06*,7&$2#!^,;B;!Z'&.,-F!
>'+)2'-F!g#,,(0&'!_!Z(0%%F!P<OSc!5B/$((,!L**'0!_!M0/*%,-F!P<OR`F!0!+'44/-$2C!#0%!2#,!'??'(2/-$2C!
2'!(,J*,+2!'-!0-.!*,0(-!06'/2!$2%!'&-!2#$-)$-B;!"/(-$-B!J('4!2#$%!B,-,(0*!?('+,%%!2'!+'-%$.,(!J/2/(,%!
$40B$-0($,%!4'(,!%?,+$J$+0**Cc!%/(J0+$-B!0!+'44/-$2CV%!,Y?,+202$'-%F!0%?$(02$'-%!0-.!6,*$,J%!06'/2!$2%!
'&-!?('%?,+2%!+0-!$-J'(4!2#,!.,3,*'?4,-2!'J!.,,?,(!0-.!4'(,!('6/%2!3$%$'-%!jj!&#$*,!6,$-B!J$(4*C!
?*0-2,.!$-!0-.!+'B-$%0-2!'J!2#,!+'-2,Y2%!0-.!+/*2/(,%!&#,(,!2#'%,!$40B$-0($,%!0(,!J'/-.;!5!%$4?*,!
&0C!2'!.'!2#$%!$%!J'/-.!$-!\"#,!M'*0)!g04,]F!0!6($,J!0-.!*$3,*C!+*0%%(''4!0+2$3$2C!60%,.!'-!2#,!&'()!
-'2,.!06'3,!(,B0(.$-B!2#,!%'+$'*'BC!0-.!#$%2'(C!'J!$40B,%!'J!2#,!J/2/(,!^X0C&0(.!_!10-.CF!P<OR`;!
"#,(,!0(,!30($'/%!2C?'*'B$,%!030$*06*,!J'(!.,%+($6$-B!0-.!40??$-B!J/2/(,!$40B$-0($,%!J'/-.!04'-B!0!
?'?/*02$'-F!$-+*/.$-B!f2#-'B(0?#$+!i/2/(,%!m,%,0(+#!^fim`!^",Y2'(F!OeeS`F!g,-,($+!=40B,%!'J!2#,!
i/2/(,!^G02'(F!P<<ec!10-.C!,2!0*F!P<<Q`F!0-.!2#,!9C%2,4%!KC2#'*'BC!"''*)$2!^X,-.($+)%F!P<O:`;!5!
J(04,&'()!J'(!+/%2'4$%$-B!?0(2$+/*0(!.,?*'C4,-2%!J'**'&$-B!2#,!&#'*,!?('+,%%!%/BB,%2,.!06'3,!
^40?F!4/*2$?*CF!4,.$02,F!4'/-2F!0-.!40?!0B0$-`!+0-!6,!J'/-.!$-!f2#-'B(0?#$+!fY?,($,-2$0*!i/2/(,%!
^fri`F!\0!.,%$B-7.($3,-F!#C6($.!0??('0+#!2'!J'(,%$B#2!0$4,.!02!$-+(,0%$-B!2#,!0++,%%$6$*$2CF!30($,2C!
0-.!.,?2#!'J!030$*06*,!$40B,%!'J!2#,!J/2/(,]!^10-.C!_!E'(-,2F!P<OR`;!!
Discussion:)Why)have)we)included)this?)
L%$-B!2#,!*,-%!'J!$40B$-0($,%!#,*?%!2'!%,-%$2$%,!6'2#!'/(%,*3,%!0-.!'2#,(%!2'!2#,!J/-+2$'-$-B!0-.!
.C-04$+%!'J!&#02!0-.!#'&!&,!$40B$-,!2#,!%C%2,4%!&,!0(,!$-F!0%!2#,C!0(,!0-.!0%!2#,!4$B#2!6,;!=-!2#$%!
0(,0F!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-,(%!+0-!%,(3,!0!30*/06*,!('*,!0%!2(0-%*02'(%!'(!4,.$02'(%!6,2&,,-!4$-.%!0-.!
$.,0%F!0-.!2#,!&'(*.F!6,2&,,-!+/((,-2!%$2/02$'-%!0-.!?'%%$6*,!-,&!&0C%!'J!*$3$-B;!!
Related:*ethnography,*experiential)futures,*images*of*the*future,*phenomenography,*mapping,*
mental*models.*
!
Backcasting!
9/??'%,!C'/V(,!2(C$-B!2'!J$B/(,!'/2!#'&!+#0-B,!+'/*.!/-J'*.aJ'(!C'/(%,*J!0%!0!.,%$B-,(F!'(!J'(!0!
+'44/-$2C;!
D-,!&0C!2'!2(C!2'!.'!2#$%!$%!2'!,Y04$-,!2#,!,3$.,-+,F!?0%2!0-.!?(,%,-2F!0-.!%,,)!2'!.$%+,(-!$-!2#,!2,0!
*,03,%!%'4,!?022,(-!'(!?'(2,-2!'J!&#02!$%!*$),*C!2'!'++/(!-,Y2;!"#,(,!$%!0!J04$*C!'J!0??('0+#,%!J'(!
\J'(,+0%2$-B]F!0-.!W/0-2$2$,%!'J!,JJ'(2!0-.!$-)!0(,!,Y?,-.,.!$-!?/(%/$2!'J!2#$%!J'(4!'J!$-W/$(C!^",2*'+)!
_!g0(.-,(F!P<OQc!9$*3,(F!P<OS`;!fJJ'(2%!2'!,Y2(0?'*02,!J('4!&#02!$%!)-'&-!2'.0C!$-2'!2$4,%!2'!+'4,F!
2'!+0-2$*,3,(!+'-+*/%$'-%!J('4!2#,!%,,4$-B*C!%/(,!J''2$-B!'J!2#,!?(,%,-2!$-2'!2#,!J/2/(,V%!4/()C!
n'-,F!'J2,-!J0$*!^i/-)F!P<ORc!"0*,6F!P<<R`F!0-.!40-C!?('J,%%$'-0*!0-.!0+0.,4$+!J/2/($%2%!&0(-!'J!2#,!
J'**C!'J!0!?(,.$+2$3,!%20-+,!&#,-!$2!+'4,%!2'!#/40-!0JJ0$(%!^G02'(F!OeeQ`;!

Z/2!'-,!4$B#2!0*%'!0??('0+#!2#,!W/,%2$'-!$-!?(,+$%,*C!2#,!'??'%$2,!.$(,+2$'-;!"#$%!'2#,(!20+)F!
0-'2#,(!&0C!'J!%,,$-BF!$%!06'/2!2#,!+(,02$'-!'J!%+,-0($'%!backwards!J('4!0!?'%$2,.!?'$-2!$-!2#,!
J/2/(,;!d#02!$J!&,!%2$?/*02,F!J'(!2#,!%0),!'J!0(B/4,-2F!2#02!2#,!J/2/(,!&,!0(,!$-2,(,%2,.!$-!*'')%!0-.!
'?,(02,%!like*soF!%'4,!-/46,(!'J!C,0(%!'(!.,+0.,%!J('4!-'&;!What*would*it*take*in*order*for*that*to*
happenk!d#02!&'/*.!-,,.!2'!'++/(k!
!
!
Figure*1:*Teenagers*at*the*Derby*Silk*Mill,*Derby,*UK,*pinning*up*their*drawings*of*“What*does*energy*look*like?”,*an*
investigation*of*energy*imaginaries*by*Flora*Bowden*and*Dan*Lockton*as*part*of*the*Helen*Hamlyn*Centre*for*Design*and*
SustainRCA’s*SusLabNWE*project.*Photo*by*Dan*Lockton.*
!

!
Figure*2:*Students*at*Carnegie*Mellon*School*of*Design*construct*‘mental*landscapes’*representing*group*imaginaries*of*
projects,*part*of*an*investigation*by*Delanie*Ricketts*and*Dan*Lockton*of*the*Imaginaries*Lab.*Photo*by*Dan*Lockton.*
5!?(,.$+2$'-74$-.,.!'-*''),(!40C!&'-.,(!&#02!$-!2#,!&'(*.!+'/*.!?'%%$6*C!6,!2#,!60%$%!J'(!%/+#!
%?,+/*02$'-F!0-.!$J!0++/(02,!,Y2(0?'*02$'-!$%!2#,!-04,!'J!2#,!B04,F!&#02!&,!0(,!%/BB,%2$-B!#,(,!
40C!%,,4!0!3,(C!'..!2#$-B!2'!.'@!60+)&0(.%F!$-.,,.;!Z/2!/-.,(%20-.$-B!\2#,!J/2/(,]!+0**%!J'(!
$-W/$(C!(0-B$-B!6,C'-.!&#02,3,(!#0??,-%!2'!%,,4!4'%2!*$),*C!02!0-C!B$3,-!4'4,-2;!d#$*,!0-!
$4?'(20-2!J(04,F!2#,!?('606*,!%#'&%!/%!'-*C!?0(2!'J!2#,!6$BB,(!?$+2/(,;!5%!2#,!%,+'-.!0/2#'(!?'$-2%!
'/2!$-!$-2('./+2'(C!J/2/(,%!+*0%%,%F!\5-C!%$-B*,!$40B,!'J!2#,!J/2/(,F!-'!4022,(!#'&!+'4?,**$-BF!$%!
$-+'4?*,2,;]!i'(!'-,!2#$-BF!2#,!?('606*,!$%!0!+'-%20-2*C!+#0-B$-B!3$%20@!>'')!02!2#,!4'4,-272'7
4'4,-2!4,0-.,($-B%!'J!0-C!%#0(,!?($+,!J'(!0!.,4'-%2(02$'-;!"#$-)!#'&!2#,!?/-.$2(C!4'(?#%!'-!2#,!
.0C!0J2,(!0!%/(?($%$-B!,*,+2$'-!'/2+'4,;!=-!2#,!J/2/(,%!J$,*.!2#,(,!$%!0!+*0%%$+!2($'!'J!?'%%$6*,F!
?('606*,!0-.!?(,J,(06*,!J/2/(,%!^"'JJ*,(F!OeR<c!540(0F!OeTO`F!&#$+#!#,*?%!%,(3,!0%!0!(,4$-.,(!2#02!
2#,!W/,%2$'-!'J!&#02!0??,0(%!4'%2!*$),*C!2'!2(0-%?$(,F!$J!20),-!2''!-0(('&*CF!*,03,%!/-.,(,Y04$-,.!
,W/0**C!3$20*!W/,%2$'-%!'J!&#02!,*%,!4$B#2!'++/(!$-%2,0.!^2#,!?'%%$6*,`!0-.!&#02!&,!4$B#2!&0-2!'(!
-'2!&0-2!^2#,!?(,J,(06*,`;!
"#,!&'(.!b60+)+0%2$-BV!&0%!+'$-,.!0-.!2#,!0??('0+#!'($B$-0**C!?('?'%,.!J'(!0!-'(402$3,!/%,!'J!
%+,-0($'%!$-!2#,!,-,(BC!$-./%2(C@!\60+)+0%2%!0(,!-'2!$-2,-.,.!2'!$-.$+02,!&#02!2#,!J/2/(,!&$**!*$),*C!
6,F!6/2!2'!$-.$+02,!2#,!(,*02$3,!$4?*$+02$'-%!'J!.$JJ,(,-2!?'*$+C!B'0*%;]!^m'6$-%'-F!OeTPF!?;!hhR`;!=2%!
/%,!#0%!6('0.,-,.!$-!2#,!C,0(%!%$-+,F!$-+*/.$-B!.,3,*'?4,-2!'J!?0(2$+$?02'(C!0??('0+#,%!
$-+'(?'(02$-B!?,(%?,+2$3,%!J('4!.$3,(%,!%20),#'*.,(%F!0*2#'/B#!%2$**!2C?$+0**C!&$2#!0!-'(402$3,!6,-2@!
\"#,!,%%,-+,!'J!2#,!60+)+0%2$-B!0??('0+#!2'!J/2/(,!%2/.$,%!$%!2#,!0(2$+/*02$'-!'J!.,%$(,.!J/2/(,%F!0-.!
2#,!0-0*C%$%!'J!#'&!2#,C!4$B#2!6,!0+#$,3,.]!^m'6$-%'-F!Z/(+#F!"0*&0(F!DV9#,0F!_!d0*%#F!P<OOF!?;!
RSQ`;!
X,(,!&,!0(,!/%$-B!2#,!2,(4!%*$B#2*C!4'(,!6('0.*C!%2$**F!-'2!2'!(,J,(!,Y+*/%$3,*C!2'!2#,!.,3,*'?4,-2!'J!
-'(402$3,!%+,-0($'%F!6/2!0%!0!*,-%!'(!0-B*,!'J!0??('0+#F!0!%2(/+2/(,!'J!2#'/B#2F!&#$+#!+'/*.!6,!/%,.!
2'!2(C!2'!(,0%'-!60+)&0(.!$-!,Y?*'(02'(C!J0%#$'-!J('4!0-C!?'%$2,.!J/2/(,!'/2+'4,;!"#$%!$%!2#,!#,0(2!
'J!0!%+,-0($'!B,-,(02$'-!?('+,%%!'($B$-02,.!6C!G02'(!^P<<eF!?;!OQ`F!,*06'(02$-B!bB,-,($+!$40B,%!'J!2#,!
J/2/(,VF!&#,(,!2#,!-0((02$3,!?02#&0C%!,Y04$-,.!0(,!-'2![/%2!?(,J,((,.!J/2/(,%F!6/2!2#,!4'%2!
.$3,(B,-2!%,2!'J!2(0[,+2'($,%!?'%%$6*,c!B('&2#F!+'**0?%,F!.$%+$?*$-,F!0-.!2(0-%J'(402$'-!^G02'(F!OeRec!
G02'(F!P<<ec!g,(40-F!P<OR`;!!

"#,!60+)+0%2$-B!*,-%!$-3$2,%!/%!2'!0%)@!$-!'(.,(!J'(!2#$%!2'!'++/(F!&#02!&'/*.!-,,.!2'!#0??,-k!D-,!
+0-!/%,!$2!2'!$-W/$(,!$-2'!2#,!6'/-.0($,%!'J!2#,!?'%%$6*,F!0-.!2'!.,./+,!2#,!0??('Y$402,!%#0?,!'J!
&#02!&'/*.!6,!-,+,%%0(C!2'!(,0*$%,!0!?0(2$+/*0(!?02#&0CF!?'%$2$3,!'(!-'2;!=2!40C!(,3,0*!-,&!
?'%%$6$*$2$,%!jj!'(!$4?'%%$6$*$2$,%;!
"0),!J'(!,Y04?*,!,-2(,?(,-,/(!0-.!$-3,-2'(!90/*!g($JJ$2#V%!,Y04$-02$'-!'J!B*'60*!(,-,&06*,!,-,(BC;!
10*+/*02$-B!#/40-$2CV%!0--/0*!,-,(BC!%?,-.!J'(!2#,!,0(*C!P<h<%!02!0!4'.,%2!2'20*!'J!OS!2,(0&022%F!#,!
.,%+($6,%!2#,!+#0**,-B,!'J!(,-,&06*C!4,,2$-B!2#$%!20(B,2@!\=2V%!-'2!2#,!K0-#0220-!M('[,+2F!$2V%!-'2!
2#,!5?'**'!M('[,+2!jj!2#,C!&,(,!%+$,-+,!?('[,+2%;!"#,!?('[,+2!&,!#03,!2'!.'!$%!4/+#!4'(,!*$),!d'(*.!
d0(!==F!,Y+,?2!2#$%!2$4,!o0**!+'/-2($,%p!?*0C!'-!2#,!%04,!%$.,;!"#02V%!o2#,!%+0*,!'Jp!&#02!C'/!-,,.!
$-./%2($0**C]!^g($JJ$2#F!P<<T`;!
5!?0(2$+/*0(!4,2#'.!2#02!40C!#,*?!'?,(02$'-0*$%,!2#$%!*,-%!^0B0$-F!J'(!0-C!%+,-0($'`!#0%!6,,-!
.,3,*'?,.!'3,(!2#,!?0%2!.,+0.,c!0!#,/($%2$+!J'(!*'')$-B!02!2(0-%$2$'-%!2#('/B#!\"#(,,!X'($n'-%]!
^X'.B%'-!0-.!9#0(?,!P<<Rc!1/((C!0-.!X'.B%'-!P<<Tc!d0#*!P<OQ`;!=-!,%%,-+,!2#$%!4,2#'.!.$3$.,%!
2#,!2(0-%$2$'-0*!?('+,%%F!&#02,3,(!$2!40C!6,F!$-2'!2#(,,!?#0%,%@!-'&!^#'($n'-!'-,`F!2#,-!^#'($n'-!
2#(,,`F!0-.!2#,!$-2,($4!?#0%,!6,2&,,-!^#'($n'-!2&'`;!=2!?('3$.,%!0!&0C!'J!022,-.$-B!2'!0-.!+(,02$-B!
0!-0((02$3,!'/2!'J!&#02,3,(!$%!(,0**C!02!%20),!$-!2(0-%$2$'-$-B!J('4!'-,!%202,!'J!0JJ0$(%!2'!0-'2#,(!
^i$B/(,!h`;!!!!
fJJ,+2$3,!/%,!'J!2#,!60+)+0%2$-B!*,-%!&'/*.!#,*?!-'2!'-*C!&$2#!03'$.$-B!2#,!3$+$%%$2/.,%!'J!
,Y2(0?'*02$3,!2#$-)$-BF!6/2!0*%'!2#,!2,4?202$'-!'J!.'4$-02$-B!.$%+/%%$'-!&$2#!0!%$-B*,!?(,J,((,.!
J/2/(,;!l/%2!0%!$2!$%!$-%/JJ$+$,-2!2'!,Y04$-,!+#0-B,!&$2#!0-!,C,!'-*C!2'!2#,!?('606*,F!$-!.,%$B-$-B!J'(!
2(0-%$2$'-!&$2#!-'(402$3,!$.,0*%!$-!3$,&F!2#,!($%)!?,(#0?%!*$,%!$-!,Y+,%%$3,!J'+/%!'-!.,J$-$-B!0!%$-B*,!
?'%$2$3,!J/2/(,c!-03$B02$-BF!0%!$2!&,(,F!&$2#!'-*C!'-,!?'$-2!'J!(,J,(,-+,;!X,(,!2''@!5-C!%$-B*,!$40B,!
'J!2#,!J/2/(,F!-'!4022,(!#'&!+'4?,**$-BF!$%!$-+'4?*,2,;!"#,!022,4?2!2'!2(C!2'!.,./+,!'-,V%!&0C!
60+)&0(.!J('4!2#,(,!2'!0+2$'-%!2'.0CF!0!%$4?*$%2$+!b.,J$+$2!4'.,*V!J'(!?*0--$-BF!,46,.%!0!
.0-B,('/%*C!6($22*,!0-.!*$-,0(!+'-+,?2$'-!'J!&#02!6($-B$-B!.,%$(,.!+#0-B,!$-2'!6,$-B!,-20$*%;!d#02!$%!
+0**,.!J'(!$-%2,0.!$%!0!2#$-)$-B!,-3$('-4,-2!'(!4,-20*!,+'*'BC!^%,,!Experiential!futures`F!'-,!($+#!
,-'/B#!&$2#!(,J,(,-+,!?'$-2%!2#02!C'/!)-'&!&#02!C'/V(,!*'')$-B!2'!03'$.F!0%!&,**!0%!&#02!2'!?/(%/,F!
0-.!%'!2#02!C'/!0(,!?'$%,.!2'!4,,2!&#02,3,(!+'4,%!0*'-B;!"'!3,-2/(,!0-!0-0*'BC!2'!2#,!$4?'(20-+,!
'J!6$'.$3,(%$2C!$-!0-!,+'%C%2,4F!'(!.$%+$?*$-0(C!(0-B,!0-.!-,/('.$3,(%$2C!$-!0!2,04!$-3,%2$B02$-B!0!
+'4?*,Y!2'?$+c!(,%$*$,-+,!+'4,%!J('4!(,W/$%$2,!30($,2C!^1'-0-2!_!5%#6CF!OeR<c!G/66,(*C!_!M0-B0('F!
P<<R`;!!
Discussion:)Why)have)we)included)this?)
Z0+)+0%2$-B!40C!-'2!6,!2#,!'-*C!&0C!2'!%2(,2+#!0-.!2,%2!'/(!4,-20*!4'.,*%!'J!&#02!2'4'(('&!40C!
6($-BF!6/2!$2!4$B#2!6,!'-,!'J!2#,!4'%2!/%,J/*;!"#$%!*,-%F!0??*$,.!-'2!%'*,*C!2'!b?*0--$-BV!6/2!2'!
,-%/($-B!0!.$3,(%,!(0-B,!'J!$40B,%!'J!2#,!J/2/(,F!&,!%/(4$%,F!40C!&,**!6,!0!+($2$+0*!?0(2!'J!0!#,0*2#C!
0-.!2(0-%$2$'-7+0?06*,!%'+$,2C!^%,,!Imaginaries`;!=2!%,,4%!0!B''.!+0-.$.02,!J'(!),C!(,%'/(+,%!'-,!
4$B#2!$.,-2$JC!0%!-,+,%%0(C!J'(!-03$B02$-B!2#,!&$*.*C!4/*2$30($02,F!#C?,(.$4,-%$'-0*!?('+,%%!'J!
4'3$-B!2#('/B#!#$%2'(C;!8'2!0!%$-B*,F!'JJ$+$0*F!.'+2($-0$(,!+'44$24,-2F!4'-'40-$0+0**C!?/(%/,.!
^-/4,('/%!$-%20-+,%!'J!&#$+#F!?0(2$+/*0(*C!J('4!P<2#!+,-2/(C!#$%2'(CF!&,!*,03,!2#,!(,0.,(!2'!$40B$-,!
J'(!#,(%,*J`;!5!+'-%2,**02$'-!'J!0*2,(-02$3,%!2'!2#$-)!&$2#c!-'2!2#,!$.,0*!'(!?(,J,((,.!0*'-,F!6/2!
$40B$-0*!.$3,(%$2C;!
Related:*alternative*futures,*deductive*forecasting,*experiential)futures,*imaginaries,*scenario*
generation,*visioning!

!
Figure*3:*A*transitional*scenario*in*progress,*constructed*by*Carnegie*Mellon*School*of*Design*undergraduates*working*
backward*from*their*own*ideal*visions*for*2050,*as*part*of*a*class*taught*by*Stuart*Candy,*Terry*Irwin*and*Stacie*Rohrbach.*
Photo*by*Stuart*Candy.***
Dark!Matter!
"#,!%C%2,4%!0??('0+#!,46(0+,.!6C!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-!^,;B;!E'%%'JJF!P<OSc!d#$2,F!P<OS`!(,+'B-$%,%!
,Y?*$+$2*C!2#02!2#,(,!$%!4'(,!$-3'*3,.!$-!+#0-B,!02!%+0*,!0-.!'3,(!2$4,!2#0-!%$4?*C!2#,!.,+$%$'-!2'!
(,.,%$B-!0!?('./+2!'(!%,(3$+,!$-!$%'*02$'-;!G,%$B-,.!0(2,J0+2%F!%,(3$+,%F!0-.!,3,-!%'J2&0(,F!0(,!
,46,..,.!$-!+'-2,Y2%F!6'/-.!/?!$-!2#,!?(0+2$+,%!0-.!+/*2/(,%!'J!,3,(C.0C!*$J,F!0-.!2#,!
'(B0-$%02$'-0*!?($'($2$,%F!2(0.$2$'-%F!0-.!%2(/+2/(0*!*,B0+$,%!&#$+#!,-.!/?!.,2,(4$-$-B!&#02!0+2/0**C!
B,2%!.,%$B-,.F!6C!&#'4F!0-.!&#'!#0%!0B,-+C!2'!+#0-B,!$2;!>0&%F!%20-.0(.%F!+'-3,-2$'-%F!#$%2'($,%F!
?(,[/.$+,%F!0*B'($2#4$+!6$0%,%F!?02#!.,?,-.,-+CF!2#,!0+2$'-%!'J!0+2'(%!,*%,&#,(,F!0-.!0!&#'*,!(0-B,!
'J!'2#,(!J0+2'(%!^%,,!Imaginaries`!0(,!0**!?0(2!'J!2#,!%C%2,4%!&$2#$-!&#$+#!.,%$B-,(%!%,,)!2'!0+2;!!
5!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-,(!%#'/*.!2#/%!6,!06*,!2'!6,!4'(,!,JJ,+2$3,!2#('/B#!?0C$-B!022,-2$'-!2'!2#,%,!
^,3'*3$-B`!+'-2,Y2%!0%!4/+#!0%!2'!2#,!b2#$-BV!$2%,*JF!2'!.,%$B-!&$2#!$-%$B#2!$-2'!2#,!&0C%!$-!&#$+#!2#,!
^'J2,-!*0(B,*C!$-3$%$6*,`!0%?,+2%!'J!%C%2,4%!&$**!&'()!2'!%/??'(2!'(!+'-%2(0$-!+#0-B,;!5%!2(0-%$2$'-!
.,%$B-!,./+02$'-!.,3,*'?%F!&,!4$B#2!J$-.!$2!-,+,%%0(C!2'!$-+'(?'(02,!4'./*,%!J'(!*,0(-$-B!06'/2!
2#,%,!%C%2,4%F!2#('/B#!+*0%%,%!06'/2!0%!&,**!0%!?(0+2$+0*!,-B0B,4,-2!&$2#!?/6*$+!?'*$+CF!
40-0B,4,-2F!+'44/-$2C!'(B0-$%$-BF!0-.!0!(0-B,!'J!'2#,(!2'?$+%!-'2!/%/0**C!$-+*/.,.!$-!0!b.,%$B-V!
,./+02$'-;!"#$%!+'/*.!6,!J(04,.!0%!0!+0**!J'(!4'(,!022,-2$3,-,%%!2'!infrastructures!&$2#$-!.,%$B-;!
=-J(0%2(/+2/(,!\-,3,(!%20-.%!0?0(2!J('4!2#,!?,'?*,!&#'!.,%$B-F!40$-20$-!0-.!/%,!$2;!=2%!.,%$B-,(%!2(C!
2'!40),!$2!0%!$-3$%$6*,!0%!?'%%$6*,F!&#$*,!*,03$-B!?'$-2,(%!2'!40),!$2!3$%$6*,!&#,-!$2!-,,.%!2'!6,!
(,?0$(,.!'(!(,40??,.;!=2!$%!2($+)C!2'!%2/.C!J'(!2#$%!(,0%'-]!^920(!_!Z'&),(F!P<<PF!?F!Ph<`;!L(60-$%2!
E,**,(!f0%2,(*$-BF!.,%+($6$-B!#,(!+'-+,?2!'J!b$-J(0%2(/+2/(,!%?0+,VF!-'2,%!2#02!\o%p'4,!'J!2#,!4'%2!
(0.$+0*!+#0-B,%!2'!2#,!B*'60*$n$-B!&'(*.!0(,!6,$-B!&($22,-F!-'2!$-!2#,!*0-B/0B,!'J!*0&!0-.!.$?*'40+CF!
6/2!$-!2#,%,!%?02$0*F!$-J(0%2(/+2/(0*!2,+#-'*'B$,%]!^f0%2,(*$-BF!P<O:F!?;OS`;!

920(!^0!%'+$'*'B$%2`!0-.!Z'&),(!^0-!$-J'(402$+$0-`!-'2,!2#02!$-J(0%2(/+2/(,%!'J2,-!'-*C!6,+'4,!3$%$6*,!
'-!6(,0).'&-F!'-*C!0??0(,-2!&#,-!2#,C!J0$*!'(!%2'?!&'()$-BF!'(!?,(#0?%!$4?,.,!?*0--,.!+#0-B,%!2'!
0!%C%2,4;!"#$%!(,*02,%!2'!&#02!X$**!^P<OPF!??;!ThjTS`!#0%!+0**,.!\2#,!.0()!4022,(!'J!%2(02,B$+!
.,%$B-,(%s!'(B0-$%02$'-0*!+/*2/(,F!?'*$+C!,-3$('-4,-2%F!40(),2!4,+#0-$%4%F!*,B$%*02$'-F!J$-0-+,!
4'.,*%!0-.!'2#,(!$-+,-2$3,%F!B'3,(-0-+,!%2(/+2/(,%F!2(0.$2$'-!0-.!#06$2%F!*'+0*!+/*2/(,!0-.!-02$'-0*!
$.,-2$2CF!2#,!#06$202%F!%$2/02$'-%!0-.!,3,-2%!2#02!.,+$%$'-%!0(,!?('./+,.!&$2#$-];!X$**!/%,%!2#,!2,(4!
%?,+$J$+0**C!2'!(,J,(!2'!\&#02!40),%!$2!.$JJ$+/*2!J'(!$-%20**02$'-%!2'!%+0*,]F!2#,!^4,20?#'($+0*`!\402,($0*!
2#02!06%'(6%!'(!(,[,+2%!&$.,(!+#0-B,]!6,C'-.!0!'-,7'JJ!?('2'2C?,!'(!.,4'-%2(02$'-;!X,!0(B/,%!2#02!
\o0p!B,-/$-,!0-.!+'-+,(2,.!,-B0B,4,-2!&$2#!.0()!4022,(!$%!&#02!&'/*.!,-06*,!0-!$-2,(3,-2$'-!2'!
6,+'4,!%C%2,4$+F!?,(40-,-2F!$-J*/,-2$0*s!2#,!%2(02,B$+!.,%$B-,(!#0%!2'!/-.,(%20-.!2#,!
+#0(0+2,($%2$+%!'J!.0()!4022,(![/%2!0%!.,%$B-,(%!4$B#2!/-.,(%20-.!&''.F!%2,,*F!B*0%%F!?$Y,*%!0-.!
B($.%;]!"#,(,!$%!0-!,Y2,-%$'-!2'!2#$%!0(B/4,-2!&#$+#!%/BB,%2%!2#02!2#,!&0C%!$-!&#$+#!.$JJ,(,-2!0+2'(%!
'(!%20),#'*.,(%!40C!?,(+,$3,!2#,!.0()!4022,(!^i$B/(,!h`F!'(!-'2F!$%!0*%'!&'(2#!?0C$-B!022,-2$'-!2'@!
&#02!$%!$-3$%$6*,!2'!'-,!?,(%'-!40C!6,!3,(C!3$%$6*,!2'!'2#,(%;!i'(!,Y04?*,F!K0207K0($-!0-.!>'+)2'-!
^P<OR`!,Y04$-,!#'&!4$B(0-2%!$-!2#,!L9!,Y?,($,-+,!b6'(.,(%V!$-!,3,(C.0C!*$J,F!2#('/B#!.,%$B-,.!
0(2,J0+2%!%/+#!0%!+(,.$2!+0(.%!0-.!.($3,(%V!*$+,-+,%a(,B/*02$-B!0++,%%!0-.!,Y,(2$-B!+'-2('*!6C!
,46'.C$-B!?'*$2$+%!'J!.$JJ,(,-+,a6/2!&#$+#!40C!6,!+'4?*,2,*C!%,04*,%%!2'!'2#,(!?,'?*,!$-!2#,!
%C%2,4;!M,(#0?%!?0(2!'J!0!.,%$B-,(V%!('*,!$%!2'!40),!2#$%!.0()!4022,(!-'2![/%2!3$%$6*,F!6/2!legible!2'!
2#'%,!&#'!0(,!0JJ,+2,.!6C!$2F!6/2!J'(!&#'4!$2!40C!6,!/-(,0.06*,;!l0$-F!l0-)0/%)0%!0-.!5(.,(-!
^P<OQ`F!>'+)2'-!^P<OQ0`F!g0*$)!^P<OQ`F!Z'%+#!^P<OQ`F!gt4,n7K'-2!^P<OQ`!0-.!'2#,(%!#03,!,Y04$-,.!
#'&!0??('0+#$-B!?'*$+C40)$-B!$-!K,Y$+'!1$2C!0-.!>'-.'-!&$2#!2#,!0$4!'J!*,B$6$*$2C!+'/*.!*,0.!2'!
-,&!0??('0+#,%!J'(!,-B0B$-B!2#,!?/6*$+!$-!/-.,(%20-.$-B!0-.!6,$-B!$-3'*3,.!&$2#!J/2/(,!.$(,+2$'-%!
J'(!2#,$(!+$2$,%F!$-+*/.$-B!0%?,+2%!'J!2#,!/%,!'J!%,-%'(!2,+#-'*'B$,%!0-.!'2#,(!b%40(2!+$2CV!
0??('0+#,%;!!!!!!
"#,(,!0(,!0*%'!?0(0**,*%!&$2#!+'-+,?2%!%/+#!0%!1'-&0CV%!>0&!^1'-&0CF!OeQTc!Z('')%F!OeRS`a0-!
'(B0-$%02$'-!.,%$B-$-B!0!%C%2,4!&$**!+(,02,!0!%C%2,4!&#$+#!(,?*$+02,%!2#,!+'44/-$+02$'-!%2(/+2/(,!
'J!2#,!'(B0-$%02$'-!2#02!.,%$B-,.!$2;!G',%!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-!-,+,%%0($*C!$-3'*3,!022,-2$'-!2'!^(,7
`.,%$B-$-B!2#,!'(B0-$%02$'-%!$-3'*3,.!$-!0!?('[,+2F!2'!$4?('3$-B!'(!(,J'(4$-B!+'44/-$+02$'-!
%2(/+2/(,%!&$2#$-!0!+'44/-$2CF!'(!6,2&,,-!2#,!+'44/-$2C!0-.!'2#,(!$-2,(,%2,.!%20),#'*.,(%!%/+#!
0%!*'+0*!+'/-+$*%F!/2$*$2$,%F!2(0-%?'(2!0/2#'($2$,%F!0-.!%'!'-k!920(!0-.!Z'&),(!^P<<PF!?;!Phh`!%/BB,%2!
2#02!\oJp(,W/,-2*C!0!2,+#-$+0*!$--'302$'-!4/%2!6,!0++'4?0-$,.!6C!0-!'(B0-$%02$'-0*!$--'302$'-!$-!
'(.,(!2'!&'()@!2#,!.,%$B-!'J!%'+$'2,+#-$+0*!%C%2,4%!,-B0B,%!6'2#!2#,!2,+#-'*'B$%2!0-.!2#,!
'(B0-$%02$'-!2#,'($%2;]!
i'(!>,!G0-2,+!0-.!G$90*3'!^P<OhF!?;!P:R`F!2#,!('*,!'J!2#,!.,%$B-,(!,-B0B,.!&$2#!$-J(0%2(/+2/(,!%#'/*.!
6,!\2#,!&'()!'J!+(,02$-B!%'+$'72,+#-$+0*!(,%'/(+,%!2#02!$-2,-2$'-0**C!,-06*,!0.'?2$'-!0-.!
0??('?($02$'-!6,C'-.!2#,!$-$2$0*!%+'?,!'J!2#,!.,%$B-F!0!?('+,%%!2#02!4$B#2!$-+*/.,!?0(2$+$?0-2%!-'2!
?(,%,-2!./($-B!2#,!$-$2$0*!.,%$B-];!"#$%!0??('0+#!&#$+#!&'/*.!%,,!.0()!4022,(F!?,(#0?%F!0%!
%'4,2#$-B!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-,(%!+'/*.!0+2$3,*C!+'-%$.,(!/%$-B!0-.!40-$?/*02$-BF!2'!2/(-!$2!$-2'!0!
?*02J'(4!J'(!+'44/-$2$,%!2'!0.0?2!0-.!0.'?2!2#,4%,*3,%;!!
Discussion:)Why)have)we)included)this?)
G0()!4022,(!+0-!6,!0!/%,J/*!*,-%!J'(!(,4$-.$-B!/%!2'!?0C!022,-2$'-!2'!2#,!,*,4,-2%!'J!2#,!%C%2,4!
&#$+#!.,%$B-,(%!4$B#2!-'2!2(0.$2$'-0**C!#03,!+'-%$.,(,.!(,*,30-2F!0-.!J'(!.,3,*'?$-B!0!4'(,!
+'4?(,#,-%$3,!0++'/-2!'J!#'&!+#0-B,!#0??,-%;!!
Related:*infrastructuring,*sociotechnical*systems,*complexity!
!

!
Figure*4:*Members*of*the*public*in*Pittsburgh,*PA,*create*maps*of*their*perceptions*of*the*‘dark*matter’*of*local*
government,*as*part*of*the*Imaginaries*Lab’s*Civic*Visions*project*(Ashlesha*Dhotey,*Theora*Kvitka,*Nehal*Vora,*Matt*
Prindible,*Silvia*Mata-Marin*and*Dan*Lockton).*Photo*by*Ashlesha*Dhotey.*
Circularity!!
"#,!$.,0!'J!2#,!self-fulfilling*prophecy!^K,(2'-F!Oe:Tc!OeeS`!$%!&,**7)-'&-!,-'/B#!2'!?0%%!&$2#'/2!
4/+#!+'44,-2;!Z/2!$2!$%!&'(2#!,Y?*$+$2*C!+'-%$.,($-B!$2!$-!(,*02$'-!2'!3$%$'-$-B!0-.!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-;!
K'%2!'63$'/%*CF!2#,(,!$%!2#,!?'$-2!2#02!+'4?,**$-B!3$%$'-%!'J!\.,%$(06*,]!J/2/(,%!0(,!?0(2*CF!
?(,%/406*CF!$-2,-.,.!2'!$-%?$(,!?,'?*,!2'!&'()!2'&0(.%!40)$-B!2#'%,!3$%$'-%!(,0*$2Ca2'!J/*J$*!2#,!
?('?#,+C;!K'(,!-/0-+,.!2(,024,-2%!'J!J/2/(,%!^%,,!Experiential!futures`!2,0%,!'/2!%'4,!'J!2#,!
$%%/,%!&(0??,.!/?!$-!2#$%!$.,0;!
fW/0**CF!2#'/B#F!?('?#,+C!+0-!6*,,.!$-2'!'/(!$40B$-0($,%!'J!2#,!?(,%,-2a2#,!&0C%!$-!&#$+#!&,!
.,J$-,!'/(!+/((,-2!%$2/02$'-F!0-.!#'&!?'2,-2$0*!J/2/(,%!*$-)!2'!$2F!+0-!,-.!/?!%2(/+2/($-B!0-.!
.,2,(4$-$-B!2#,!&0C%!&,!0+2!-'&;!"#,!%'+$'*'B$%2%!"#'40%!0-.!"#'40%!^OePTF!??;!SROjP`!%/BB,%2,.!
2#02!\=J!4,-!.,J$-,!%$2/02$'-%!0%!(,0*F!2#,C!0(,!(,0*!$-!2#,$(!+'-%,W/,-+,%]F!0-.!2#$-)$-B!0*'-B!2#,%,!
*$-,%F!&,!%,,!2#02!2#,(,!+0-!6,!0!%,*J7J/*J$**$-B!-02/(,!2'!$40B$-0($,%;!=J!&,!6,*$,3,!%'4,2#$-B!2'!6,!
(,0*F!0-.!0+2!0%!$J!$2!$%!(,0*F!0-.!.,%$B-!0-.!6/$*.!$-%2$2/2$'-%!0-.!$-J(0%2(/+2/(,%!0('/-.!2#02!b(,0*$2CVF!
2#,!,JJ,+2!40C!6,!2#,!%04,!0%!$J!$2!#0.!6,,-!(,0*!$-!2#,!J$(%2!?*0+,;!d#02!&,(,!'-+,!J$+2$'-%!6,+'4,!
J0+2;!!
i'(!,Y04?*,F!2#,!['/(-0*$%2!K,2+0*J!^P<OR`!.$%+/%%,%!2#,!%,*J7J/*J$**$-B-,%%!'J!$40B$-$-B!%'+$,2C!0%!0!
40(),2F!.(0&$-B!'-!X0C,)$0-!$.,0%@!\"#,!4'(,!+*'%,*C!2#,!&'(*.!+0-!6,!40.,!2'!(,%,46*,!0-!$.,0*!
40(),2!B'3,(-,.!'-*C!6C!?,(J,+2!+'4?,2$2$'-F!2#,!4'(,!*0&7*$),!0-.!b%+$,-2$J$+V!#/40-!6,#03$'/(F!$-!
2#,!0BB(,B02,F!6,+'4,%;]!=-!0!.,%$B-!+'-2,Y2F!2#,!$.,0!'J!0!)$-.!'J!+$(+/*0(!+0/%0*$2C!$-!&#$+#!
.,%$B-,(%V!4'.,*%!'J!/%,(%!^>'+)2'-F!X0(($%'-!_!920-2'-F!P<OP`!'(!2#,!0%%/4?2$'-%!'(!4'.,*%!
$4?'%,.!6C!+*$,-2%F!J/-.,(%!'(!'2#,(!+'44$%%$'-,(%!'J!&'()!,-.!/?!6,$-B!.,%$B-,.!$-2'!%C%2,4%!
&#$+#!2#,-!,JJ,+2$3,*C!40),!2#'%,!$40B$-0($,%!(,0*F!$%!-'2!/-+'44'-;!1'-3,(%,*CF!0%!?$'-,,($-B!
%+,-0($'!2#$-),(!X,(40-!E0#-!'6%,(3,.F!\?('?#,+$,%!+0-!6,!%,*J7.,J,02$-B!0%!&,**!0%!%,*J7J/*J$**$-B]!
^E0#-F!OeQPF!?;!OT`;!

G,%$B-!0JJ,+2%!&#02!?,'?*,!.'F!0-.!&#02!?,'?*,!?,(+,$3,!2#,C!can!.';!f3,(C2#$-B!0('/-.!/%!2#02!#0%!
6,,-F!'(!$%!6,$-BF!.,%$B-,.F!J('4!2#,!*0C'/2!'J!'/(!+$2$,%!2'!2#,!$-J(0%2(/+2/(,!'J!'/(!B'3,(-4,-2%!2'!
2#,!&0C!'/(!.'+2'(V%!%/(B,(C!(,+,?2$'-$%2!0-%&,(%!2#,!?#'-,F!$-!%'4,!&0C!$-J*/,-+,%!#'&!&,!
,-B0B,!&$2#!0-.!40),!/%,!'J!$2F!#'&!&,!40),!.,+$%$'-%F!&#02!$%!,0%C!0-.!&#02!$%-V2;!=2!0*%'F!'3,(!
2$4,F!0JJ,+2%!#'&!&,!2#$-)F!0-.!#'&!&,!/-.,(%20-.!2#,!&'(*.!2#02!&,V(,!?0(2!'JF!6'2#!$-.$3$./0**C!
0-.!2'B,2#,(!0%!0!%'+$,2C;!5-.!$2!0JJ,+2%!'/(!6,*$,J!$-!'/(!'&-!0B,-+CF!'/(!'&-!06$*$2C!2'!+#0-B,!
2#$-B%!^>'+)2'-!_!m0--,(F!P<OR`;!G,%$B-,.!0(2,J0+2%F!%,(3$+,%F!%'J2&0(,!'(!'2#,(!,*,4,-2%!'J!%C%2,4%!
&#$+#!,46,.!?0(2$+/*0(!-'2$'-%!'J!#/40-!-02/(,!^>'+)2'-F!P<OQ6`!+0-F!'3,(!2$4,F!*,0.!2'!?,'?*,!
0+2$-B!$-!&0C%!&#$+#!+'4,!2'!match!2#,!4'.,*%!2#02!2#,!.,%$B-,(%!#03,!'J!/%!'(!&0-2!/%!2'!6,+'4,;!
5%!6'2#!>0-$,(!^OeeS`!0-.!G/--,!^P<<Q`!#03,!,Y?(,%%,.!$-!.$JJ,(,-2!&0C%F!$J!2#$-B%!2#02!?,'?*,!/%,!
0(,!.,%$B-,.!&$2#!0!+0($+02/(,.!4'.,*!'J!0!#/40-F!2#,C!40C!,-.!/?!40)$-B!2#02!+0($+02/(,!(,0*@!&,!
40C!,-.!/?!6,#03$-B!$-!2#,!&0C!2#,!4'.,*%!0%%/4,.!0-C&0CF!6,+0/%,!&,!0(,!+'-J$B/(,.!6C!2#,!
%C%2,4%!0-.!%2(/+2/(,%!$-!&#$+#!&,!*$3,!'/(!*$3,%a0!+/($'/%!J'(4!'J!%,*J7J/*J$**$-B!?('?#,+C;!D(!?/2!
0-'2#,(!&0CF!?,(#0?%F!$('-C;!
9'!$-!.,%$B-$-B!J'(!2(0-%$2$'-%F!&$2#$-!%C%2,4$+!+'-2,Y2%F!$2!$%!&'(2#!(,J*,+2$-B!'-!2#,!circularity!'J!2#,!
,-.,03'/(%!&,!0(,!,-B0B,.!$-@!2'!&#02!,Y2,-2!0(,!2#,!30($06*,%!2#02!&,!6,*$,3,!2#,C!0(,!%#0?$-B!
0+2/0**C!$-!2/(-!%#0?$-B!/%F!0-.!2#,!0+2$'-%!&,!20),k!5(+#$2,+2!0-.!+C6,(-,2$+$0-!g*0-3$**,!^OeeS`!
/%,.!2#,!,Y04?*,!'J!0!2#,(4'%202!b+'-2('**$-BV!2#,!(''4!2,4?,(02/(,F!6/2!$2%,*J!6,$-B!+'-2('**,.!6C!
2#,!(''4!2,4?,(02/(,;!f3,-!2#$%!%$4?*,!+0/%0*!%#$J2a+'-%$.,($-B!0!%C%2,4!J('4!2#,!?,(%?,+2$3,!'J!
2#,!,-2$2C!&,!-'(40**C!0%%/4,!2'!6,!$-!+'-2('*a+0-!?('3$.,!-,&!$-%$B#2%!$-2'!2#,!0B,-+C!&,!#03,!
0%!.,%$B-,(%;!i'(!,Y04?*,F!#'&!0(,!2(0-%$2$'-%!%#0?$-B!.,%$B-,(%F![/%2!0%!.,%$B-,(%!%#0?,!
2(0-%$2$'-%k!X'&!.',%!'/(!&'()!+'-2($6/2,!2'!'(!+'7+(,02,!2#,!$%%/,%!&,!0(,!%,,)$-B!2'!0..(,%%k!
G',%!+'-+,(-!'(!?0-$+!06'/2!J/2/(,%!*,0.!2'!+'-+,(-!0-.!?0-$+!6,$-B!-'(40*$%,.!'(!.,%$B-,.!$-2'!
2#,!%C%2,4k!X'&!+0-!&,!/%,!2#$%!0??('0+#!$-!0!4'(,!?'%$2$3,!&0Ck!ZC!0-0*'BC!2'!2#,!$.,0!2#02!2#,!
*,B0*!%C%2,4!0-.!*0&C,(%!+'7+(,02,!2#,!-,,.!J'(!,0+#!'2#,(F!#'&!.'!&,!03'$.!2#$%!#0??,-$-B!&$2#!
2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-k!
Discussion:)Why)have)we)included)this?)
K/+#!.,%$B-!&#$+#!0$4%!2'!#03,!0-!,JJ,+2!'-!%'+$0*!'(!,-3$('-4,-20*!$%%/,%!6,+'4,%!$2%,*J!
+'-%2(0$-,.!6C!'(!*'+),.!$-2'!0%%/4?2$'-%!06'/2!2#'%,!$%%/,%F!6,+'4$-B!?0(2!'J!2#,!%C%2,4!$2!%,,)%!
2'!0JJ,+2c!'(!2#,!+#0-B,%!$2!40),%!,-.!/?!(,?('./+$-B!2#,!%2(/+2/(,%!'J!2#,!?('6*,4%!2#02!*,.!2'!2#,!
-,,.!J'(!$-2,(3,-2$'-!$-!2#,!J$(%2!?*0+,;!"#,(,!$%!30*/,!$-!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-,(%!6,$-B!022/-,.!2'!$('-CF!
0&0(,!'J!2#$%!%,*J7J/*J$**$-B!($%)F!0-.!,Y04$-$-B!+*'%,*C!2#,!0%%/4,.!+0/%0*!*$-)%!,46,..,.!&$2#$-!
?('[,+2%!0-.!0??('0+#,%;!!
Related:*circularity,*imaginaries,*irony,*reflexivity,*second-order*cybernetics!
!
Experiential!futures!
"'!.,%$B-!$%!2'!B(0??*,!&$2#!2#,!J/2/(,;!"'!.,%$B-!J'(!+$3$*$%02$'-7%+0*,!2(0-%$2$'-F!,3,-!4'(,!%';!"#,!
2('/6*,!&$2#!b2#,!J/2/(,V!$%!2#02!$2!.',%-V2!,Y$%2;!=2V%!0!+'-%2(/+2F!0!%2,&!'J!4'(,!'(!*,%%!,Y04$-,.!
0%%/4?2$'-%!0-.!$-2,(?(,202$'-%!+0(($,.!'3,(!J('4!2#,!?0%2F!6*,-.,.!&$2#!,Y2(0?'*02$'-%!'J!2(,-.%!
0-.!,4,(B$-B!$%%/,%!$-!2#,!?(,%,-2F!$-J*,+2,.!2#('/B#!#'?,!0-.!J,0(!2'!?('./+,!J0-20%$,%!0-.!
$40B$-0($,%!?('[,+2,.!$-2'!30($'/%!W/0(2,(%!'J!2#,!?'%%$6*,F!?('606*,F!?(,J,(06*,F!0-.!2#,$(!
'??'%$2,%;!
=2!2/(-%!'/2!2#02!2#,!2('/6*$-B!-'-,Y$%2,-+,!'J!2#,!C,272'76,!$%!0*%'!0-!'??'(2/-$2C;!M0B,%!/-&($22,-!
0&0$2!2#,$(!0/2#'(%;!"#,!J/2/(,%!$-!'/(!4$-.%!40C!%'4,2$4,%!?(,2,-.!2'!/%!2#02!2#,C!%$4?*C!(,J*,+2!
'-!0-.!(,%?'-.!2'!2#,!'/2%$.,!&'(*.F!6/2!2#,C!0(,!0!2,+#-'*'BC!'J!.$%+'/(%,!0-.!0B,-+CF!0!%?,+$0*!
%/6%,2!'J!$40B$-02$3,!%2'(C2,**$-B;!d#$*,!%,,4$-B!4,(,*C!2'!6,!$-%?$(,.!6C!'6%,(3,.!+#0-B,F!2#,C!0(,!
$-!J0+2!+'3,(2*C!%#0?$-B!$2;!

Experiential*futures!(,J,(%!2'!0!%,2!'J!0??('0+#,%!2'!40),!0*2,(-02$3,!J/2/(,%!?(,%,-2;!"#,!
[/Y20?'%$2$'-!'J!b,Y?,($,-+,V!0-.!bJ/2/(,V!$%!0!.,*$6,(02,!+'-2(0.$+2$'-@!2#,!#,(,!0-.!-'&F!2#,!
$4?(,%%$'-%!'J!%,-%,%!0-.!4$-.F!O@O!%+0*,!(,0*$2C!0%!&,!,Y?,($,-+,!$2!4'4,-2!2'!4'4,-2c!0**!2#$%!%,2!
0B0$-%2!0-!$-#,(,-2*C!06%2(0+2!-'2$'-!'J!2#,!2'7+'4,F!6C!.,J$-$2$'-!06%,-2F!J'(,3,(!02!0!2,4?'(0*!
(,4'3,;!fY?,($,-2$0*!J/2/(,%!^ri`!%,,)%!2'!40),!?('./+2$3,!/%,!'J!2#02!+'-2(0.$+2$'-F!0-.!#0(-,%%!
2#,!,-,(BC!'J!$2%!J($+2$'-F!6C!+'**0?%$-B!2#,!.$%20-+,F!(,-.,($-B!06%,-2!0-.!06%2(0+2!J/2/(,%!
+'B-$2$3,*C!0-.!+/*2/(0**C!2(0+206*,;!
5-!,Y?,($,-2$0*!%+,-0($'!$%!0!J/2/(,!6('/B#2!2'!*$J,;!=2V%!0!20-B$6*,!b&#02!$JVF!4'(,!2,Y2/(0*!2#0-!
2,Y2/0*F!0-.!0!&0C!'J!2#$-)$-B!'/2!*'/.F!402,($0**C!'(!?,(J'(402$3,*CF!'(!6'2#;!9,,)$-B!2'!+'**0?%,!
2,4?'(0*!.$%20-+,!0-.!'JJ%,2!'/(!#06$2/0*!.$%+'/-2$-B!'J!J/2/(,!,3,-2%!^5$-%*$,F!P<<O`F!ri!0-B*,%!J'(!
b&#02!$J%V!(,0*!,-'/B#!2'!2($+)!2#,!6'.C!$-2'!20)$-B!2#,4!%,($'/%*C;!=2%!+'-2'/(%!0(,!B,-,('/%F!20)$-B!
$-!\2#,!B04/2!'J!0??('0+#,%!$-3'*3$-B!2#,!.,%$B-!'J!%$2/02$'-%!0-.!%2/JJ!J('4!2#,!J/2/(,!2'!+020*C%,!
$-%$B#2!0-.!+#0-B,]!^10-.CF!P<OSF!?;!OT`;!ri!\$-3'*3,%!.,%$B-$-B!0-.!%20B$-B!$-2,(3,-2$'-%!2#02!
,Y?*'$2!2#,!+'-2$-//4!'J!#/40-!,Y?,($,-+,F!2#,!J/**!0((0C!'J!%,-%'(C!0-.!%,4$'2$+!3,+2'(%F!$-!'(.,(!
2'!,-06*,!0!.$JJ,(,-2!0-.!.,,?,(!,-B0B,4,-2!$-!2#'/B#2!0-.!.$%+/%%$'-!06'/2!'-,!'(!4'(,!J/2/(,%F!
2#0-!#0%!2(0.$2$'-0**C!6,,-!?'%%$6*,!2#('/B#!2,Y2/0*!0-.!%202$%2$+0*!4,0-%!'J!(,?(,%,-2$-B!%+,-0($'%];!
^10-.CF!P<O<F!?;!h`!
5%!0!*,-%F!$2!$%!0-!$-3$202$'-@!#'&!4$B#2!C'/!20),!C'/(!$.,0!jj!0-C!$.,0!jj!'J!0!J/2/(,!0-.!6($-B!$2!
+'-+(,2,*C!2'!*$J,F!-'&k!"#$%!4'3,!40C!6,!4'2$302,.!6C!0!&$.,!.$3,(%$2C!'J!0B,-.0%!J('4!2#,!
,Y?*'(02'(C!2'!2#,!,30-B,*$+0*F!2#,!,-2,(20$-$-B!2'!2#,!,./+02$'-0*!^10-.CF!P<O<F!?;!OO:`;!5-C!(,0%'-!
2'!2#$-)!'(!J,,*!$-2'!0-C!J/2/(,!$%!0!(,0%'-!2'!4,.$02,!$2F!40),!$2!,Y?,($,-2$0*;!"#,!4022,(!'J!$-2,(,%2!
$%!-'2!2#,!.,%$B-!'J!0(2,J0+2%!?,(!%,F!6/2!2#,!.,%$B-!'J!+$(+/4%20-+,%!J'(!2#'/B#2!^&#$+#!40C!
40-$J,%2!0%!'(!$-+'(?'(02,!0(2,J0+2%`;!>,%%!+'-2,-2%!2#0-!+'-2,Y2c!*,%%!%2/JJ!2#0-!%$2/02$'-%c!*,%%!2#,!
2#$-B%!2#,4%,*3,%!2#0-!2#,!+'-3,(%02$'-%F!$-%$B#2%!0-.!0+2$'-%!2#,C!,-06*,;!=-!,0+#!+0%,F!2#,!*022,(!
$4?*$,%!0-.!$-+*/.,%!2#,!J'(4,(!0%!0??('?($02,!^i$B/(,!Q`;!
We*must*make*our*freedom*by*cutting*holes*in*the*fabric*of*this*reality,*by*forging*new*
realities*which*will,*in*turn,*fashion*us.*Putting*yourself*in*new*situations*constantly*is*
the*only*way*to*ensure*that*you*make*your*decisions*unencumbered*by*the*inertia*of*
habit,*custom,*law,*or*prejudice--and*it*is*up*to*you*to*create*these*situations.*(Graeber,*
2015,*p.*96)*
9'4,!,Y?,($,-2$0*!J/2/(,%!,Y04?*,%!J('4!04'-B!40-C!^J'(!4'(,!%,,!10-.CF!P<O<c!10-.C!_!
G/-0B0-F!P<OR`@!
• 5!?('./+2!2#02!$44,(%,%!$2%!/%,(!$-!0!%$4/*02$'-!'J!-02/(0*!,-3$('-4,-2%F!0??0(,-2*C!
?('4'2$-B!2#,!#,0*2#!'J!%2(,%%,.7'/2!/(60-!'JJ$+,!&'(),(%!$-!2#,!,0(*C!P<P<%F!*0/-+#,.!0-.!
.,4'-%2(02,.!$-!2#,!4$.%2!'J!0!*0(B,!^(,0*F!?(,%,-27.0C`!$-2,($'(!0(+#$2,+2/(,!2(0.,!%#'&!
^5*2,(F!P<OQc!i$B/(,!S`;!
• 5!2,+#-'*'BC!J'(!606C%$22$-B!$-J0-2%!$-!0!3$(2/0*!?'.F!?(,%,-2,.!$-!0!?(,%,-27.0C!0(2!4/%,/4F!
6/2!%/(('/-.,.!6C!2#,!0++'/2(,4,-2%!'J!0!+'44,(+$0*!%0*,!+'-2,Y2!^?('./+2!%?,+$J$+02$'-%F!
?($+,!60--,(%F!6('+#/(,%`F!0%!'-,!4$B#2!J$-.!2#,4!$-!0-!,*,+2('-$+%!%2'(,!$-!2#,!-,Y2!.,+0.,!
^i/(-,%%F!P<OR`;!
• 5!%?,+$0*!J/2/(,!,.$2$'-!'J!2#,!8,&!I'()!"$4,%F!(,?'(2$-B!J('4!2#,!J'**'&$-B!C,0(!0-.!
,46'.C$-B!0!J/*J$**4,-2!'J!?('B(,%%$3,A*$6,(0*!J0-20%$,%F!#0-.,.!'/2!2'!+'44/2,(%!$-!2#,!
%2(,,2%!'J!K0-#0220-!^>046,(2F!P<<e`;!
"#,!3$,&!2#('/B#!2#$%!*,-%!$%!2#,!+0?0+$2C!2'!(,B0(.!2#,!,JJ,+2$3,!,-B0B,4,-2!&$2#!J/2/(,%!0%!06'/2!
2#,!B,-,(02$'-!'(!+'-%2(/+2$'-!'J!%+0JJ'*.$-B!2'!2#$-)!0-.!J,,*!&$2#;!"#,!,-2$(,!%,-%'(C!0-.!%,4$'2$+!
+'-2,Y2!'J!2#,!6'.C!$%!2#,!(,*,30-2!+0-30%!j!0-.!-'2![/%2!J'(!2#,!$-.$3$./0*F!6/2!0*%'!J'(!B('/?%;!b"#,!
"$4,!K0+#$-,VF!0!(''4!&#,(,!C'/!+0-!$-#06$2!0!?'+),2!'J!^%0C`!2#,!C,0(!P<:<!J'(!^%0C`!P<!4$-/2,%F!$%!
'-,!,Y04?*,!'J!0!?022,(-!J'(!$44,(%$3,!%+,-0($'!+(,02$'-!2#02!6,+'4,%!?'%%$6*,!2#('/B#!2#$%!*,-%!
^10-.CF!P<Ohc!P<O:`;!

1'-%$.,(!2#,!?#$*'%'?#$+0*!+'-+,?2!'J!2#,!b,Y2,-.,.!4$-.V!^1*0()!_!1#0*4,(%F!OeeTc!G/-0B0-F!P<OS`@!
2#'/B#2!$%-V2!+'-20$-,.!,Y+*/%$3,*C!$-%$.,!'/(!%)/**%F!6/2!$2!'++/(%!$-!0-.!&$2#!'/(!,-3$('-4,-2%;!"#$%!
3$,&!+'/*.!6,!0.'?2,.!0%!0!J(04,!J'(!,Y04$-$-B!0**!%'(2%!'J!'(.$-0(CF!,Y$%2$-B!?(0+2$+,%F!6/2!$2!+0-!
0*%'!6,!20),-!J/(2#,(;!=J!0!-'2,6'')!'(!&#$2,6'0(.!$%!0!+'-3,-$,-2!?('%2#,%$%!J'(!4,4'(CF!0-!
,Y?,($,-2$0*!%+,-0($'!$%!0!?('%2#,%$%!J'(!$40B$-02$'-;!=2!$%!0!?('3$%$'-0*F!*'+0*$%,.F!0-.!40.,72'7'(.,(!
b4,-20*!,+'*'BCV!^Z02,%'-F!OeRP`;!"#,!40-$J,%202$'-!0-!$40B$-,.!J/2/(,!+'-2,Y2!^%,,!Imaginaries`!
30($'/%*C!$-!J'(4%!20-B$6*,F!402,($0*F!$-2,(0+2$3,F!?*0C06*,!0-.!?,(J'(402$3,F!?('3$.,%!0!&,0*2#!'J!
'??'(2/-$2$,%!2'!2#$-)!0-.!J,,*!&$2#!6,C'-.!?('./+$-B!2#,!4'%2!,*'W/,-2!(,?'(2;!fY?,($,-2$0*!
J/2/(,%!/%,%!2#,!$.$'4%!'J!(,0*$2C!2'!4,.$02,!#C?'2#,2$+0*!0%!hyper2#,2$+0*F!%'4,2#$-B!more*than*[/%2!
0!2#,%$%c!0-!0*4'%27(,0*!?*0+,;!
K,.$0!2#,'($%2!K+>/#0-V%!+'-+,?2!'J!2#,!0-2$7,-3$('-4,-2!40C!6,!/%,J/*!#,(,;!"#,!0-2$7
,-3$('-4,-2!(,*02,%!2'!2#,!,-3$('-4,-2!$-!0!%'(2!'J!.$0*,+2$+0*!J$B/(,AB('/-.!(,*02$'-%#$?!&#,(,6C!
2#,!J'(4,(!#$B#*$B#2%!2#,!/--'2$+,.!'(!20),-7J'(7B(0-2,.!?('?,(2$,%!'J!2#,!*022,(!^2#,!J$%#!'/2!'J!
&02,(!(,0*$%,%!&$2#!0!['*2F!02!*0%2F!&#02!$2!#0%!6,,-!%&$44$-B!$-`;!\=2!$%!/%,J/*!2'!3$,&!0**!2#,!0(2%!0-.!
%+$,-+,%!0%!0+2$-B!$-!2#,!('*,!'J!0-2$7,-3$('-4,-2%!2#02!,-06*,!/%!2'!?,(+,$3,!2#,!,-3$('-4,-2;]!
^K+>/#0-F!OeQRF!?;!:P`!
9'@!0**!?'%%$6*,!J/2/(,%!^*$2,(0**C!0-!/-$40B$-06*C!30%2!%?0+,!'J!%2'($,%!'-,!4$B#2!2,**`!4/*2$?*$,.!6C!0**!
?'%%$6*,!%$2/02$'-%!0-.!%2/JJ!J('4!&$2#$-!,0+#;!"#$%!(,?(,%,-2%!0!.0nn*$-B!0%2('-'4$+0*!
%/?,(06/-.0-+,!'J!2#,'(,2$+0*!.,%$B-!?'%%$6$*$2C;!=2!$%!6'2#!&$*.*C!2(0-%.$%+$?*$-0(C!0-.!2(0-%4,.$0!$-!
+#0(0+2,(;!"#02!.',%!-'2!4,0-!2#02!2#,!(,%/*2!'(!2#,!$.,0*!$%!0-!0**7,-+'4?0%%$-BF!,Y2(030B0-2!
gesamtkunstwerk@!$2!$%!%$4?*C!0!4,.$/470B-'%2$+!.,%$B-!'??'(2/-$2C;!9$4?*$+$2C!&$**!'J2,-!6,!6,%2F!
6/2!$2!$%!?,(#0?%!2#,!\%$4?*$+$2C!'-!2#,!'2#,(!%$.,!'J!+'4?*,Y$2C]!^(,?/2,.*C!?($n,.!6C!D*$3,(!d,-.,**!
X'*4,%`;!=2V%!4'(,!0!4022,(!'J!?('./+$-B!+$(+/4%20-+,%!2#0-!0!(,?'(2F!0!3$.,'F!'(!0!2,**$-B!0(2$J0+2@!
0-C!'-,!'J!2#'%,!2#$-B%!40C!$-.,,.!2/(-!'/2!2'!6,!2#,!6,%2!2#$-B!J'(!2#,!['6F!6/2!-'2$-B!0-.!03'$.$-B!
/-[/%2$J$06*C!4,.$/4$%2!0%%/4?2$'-%!$%!),C;!
Discussion:)Why)have)we)included)this?)
5**!'J!2#,!06'3,!6($-B%!$-2'!J'+/%!2#,!+($2$+0*!-,,.!J'(!2#'/B#2J/*!0-.!+($2$+0*!022,-2$'-@!&#02!J/2/(,%!
2'!+#''%,!2'!40-$J,%2!$-!2#$%!&0CF!&#,-!&,!+'-%$.,(!2(0-%$2$'-%k!M('2'2C?$-B!'(!?,(J'(4$-B!
%'4,2#$-B!(0-.'4!2#02!$%!?/(?'(2,.*C!bJ('4!2#,!J/2/(,V!4$B#2!%,,4!&'(2#!$2!0%!0!*0()F!2#,!J$(%2!2$4,!
'(!2&'F!6/2!%''-,(!'(!*02,(!2#,!4,(,!+'-+,?2/0*!-'3,*2C!'J!*'-B7(0-B,!?('2'2C?$-B!J'(!$2%!'&-!%0),!
#0%!2'!&,0(!'JJ!^10-.CF!P<OTF!?;!P:h`;!d#02!$%!*,J2!$%!?,(#0?%!0!+*'%,(!022,-2$'-!2'!which*futuresF!$-!
whose*interestsF!&$2#!what*effects;!G,,?,(!W/,%2$'-%;!K'(,!+($2$+0*!W/,%2$'-%;!D??'(2/-$2$,%!2'!.'!
6,22,(;!
Related:*critical*design,*design*fiction,*experiential*scenarios,*guerrilla*futures,*
imaginaries,*immersive*storytelling,*speculative*design,*transmedia,*worldbuilding*!
!

!
Figure*5:*Visitors*to*a*large*interior*design*and*architecture*show*interact*with*NaturePod,*a*hypothetical*future*product*
demonstrated*and*launched*at*the*show*as*if*it*were*commercially*available.*Installation*by*Situation*Lab,*photo*by*Connie*
Tsang.**
New!Metaphors!
=2!#0%!6,,-!0(B/,.!2#02!4,20?#'(%!0-.!0-0*'B$,%!0(,!+,-2(0*!2'!4/+#!#/40-!(,0%'-$-BF!
/-.,(%20-.$-BF!0-.!+(,02$3$2C!^X'J%20.2,(F!P<<O`F!0%!&,**!0%!2#,!*0-B/0B,!&,!/%,!^>0)'JJ!_!l'#-%'-F!
OeT<`;!X,(,!&,!/%,!2#,!2,(4!b4,20?#'(V!$-!0!6('0.F!$-2,-2$'-0**C!$4?(,+$%,!&0CF!2'!(,J,(!2'!0!+*0%%!
+'-20$-$-B!0!30($,2C!'J!&0C%!$-!&#$+#!'-,!2#$-B!+0-!6,!/-.,(%2''.!$-!2,(4%!'J!0-'2#,(;!
D-,!%$4?*,!(,0%'-!J'(!4,20?#'(%V!?(,30*,-+,!$%!2#02!6C!40??$-B!J,02/(,%!'J!0-!,Y$%2$-B!'(!J04$*$0(!
%$2/02$'-!'-2'!0!-,&!'(!/-)-'&-!'-,F!&,!0(,!,-06*,.!2'!B(0%?!0-.!^6,!4'(,!+'-J$.,-2!2#02!&,!+0-`!
/-.,(%20-.!$2!4'(,!W/$+)*C;!5%!%/+#F!4,20?#'(%!0(,!'J2,-!/%,.!%2(02,B$+0**C!$-!.,%$B-!^90JJ,(F!P<<Sc!
1$*0F!P<Ohc!X,)),(2!_!1$*0F!P<OS`;!8,3,(2#,*,%%F!4,20?#'(%!0(,!-'2!the*thing*itselfa2#,C!0(,!0*&0C%!
0-!06%2(0+2$'-F!0!4'.,*!'J!2#,!%$2/02$'-!(02#,(!2#0-!2#,!%$2/02$'-!4'.,**,.;!"#,C!+0-!6,!0!40?!2'!0!
2,(($2'(CF!6/2!%#'/*.!-'2!6,!4$%20),-!J'(!2#,!2,(($2'(C;!5%!&$2#!4'.,*%F!0**!4,20?#'(%!0(,!&('-BF!6/2!
%'4,!0(,!/%,J/*!^Z'Y!_!G(0?,(F!OeTR`;!"#,!+'-%2(0$-2%F!0JJ'(.0-+,%F!0-.!0%%/4?2$'-%!2#02!0!
4,20?#'(!%/BB,%2%!'(!$4?'%,%!+0-!2#,4%,*3,%!+'-.$2$'-!'(!%2(/+2/(,!'/(!$-2,(0+2$'-!&$2#F!'(!
0??('0+#!2'F!0!-,&!%$2/02$'-F!0%!&,!/-.,(%20-.F!'(!+'4,!2'!/-.,(%20-.!$2!$-!2,(4%!'J!2#,!'*.;!
K,20?#'(%!6,+'4,!\,-06*$-B!+'-%2(0$-2%]!^X0C*,%F!P<<OF!?;!O::`;!"#,!#/-2!J'(!\.,J,-%$6*,!
4,20?#'(%]F!2'!/%,!+C6,(-,2$+$0-!g'(.'-!M0%)V%!2,(4!^9+'22F!P<OR`F!$%!-'2!2($3$0*;!
!

!
Figure*6:*The*lens*of*experiential*futures*invites*attention*to*whatever*it*takes*to*create*an*effective*context*scaffolding*
thought*and*feeling*about*possible*futures.*Diagram*by*Stuart*Candy*(thanks*to*Greg*Van*Alstyne).*Originally*published*in*
Candy*&*Dunagan*(2017).*
9'F!#'&!.',%!2#$%!0??*C!2'!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-k!5%!0!+'('**0(C!*,-%!'J!bimaginariesVF!&,!%/BB,%2!-'2![/%2!
022,4?2$-B!2'!/-.,(%20-.!2#,!,Y$%2$-B!4,20?#'(%!$-!/%,!$-!0!%$2/02$'-F!6/2!0+2$3,*C!B,-,(02$-BF!
?('?'%$-BF!0-.!J'**'&$-B!2#('/B#!2#,!$4?*$+02$'-%!'J!new!4,20?#'(%!^1$*0F!P<Ohc!9+#u-F!OeRec!l/-B!
,2!0*;F!P<OR`!J'(!+'-+,?2%!?,(2$-,-2!2'!2#,!J(04,!'J!2(0-%$2$'-!20)$-B!?*0+,a0-.!2#,!?'2,-2$0*!J/2/(,%!
,46'.$,.!$-!3$%$'-$-B;!"#$%!$%!-'2!?($40($*C!06'/2!.,3$%$-B!-'3,*!4,20?#'(%!J'(!2#,!%?,+$J$+!.,%$B-!'J!
?('./+2%!'(!$-2,(J0+,%a0*2#'/B#!2#$%!&'()!$%!$-2,(,%2$-Ba6/2F!02!0!%C%2,4!*,3,*F!%'4,2#$-B!+*'%,(!2'!
E*0/%!E($??,-.'(JJV%!^P<<QF!?;!OO`!-'2$'-!2#02!.,%$B-,(%!+'/*.!\+(,02,!0-.!%20(2!/%$-B!-,&!
4,20?#'(%F!-,&!3'+06/*0($,%F!0-.!-,&!&0C%!'J!*0-B/0B$-BF!*$),!?',2%!0-.!%+$,-+,!J$+2$'-!&($2,(%!.'F!
2#/%!6($-B$-B!J'(2#!-,&!&0C%!'J!+'-+,?2/0*$n$-B!2#,!&'(*.!0-.!,-+'/(0B$-B!-,&!?(0+2$+,%;]!K0(C!
102#,($-,!Z02,%'-!^OeT:`F!$-!#,(!'&-!&'()F!0-.!$-!.$%+/%%$-B!2#,!&'()!'J!#,(!?0(,-2%!K0(B0(,2!
K,0.!0-.!g(,B'(C!Z02,%'-F!#0%!0*%'!J(,W/,-2*C!,4?*'C,.!2#,!$.,0!'J!(,J(04$-B!%'+$,20*!$%%/,%!
2#('/B#!/%$-B!-,&!4,20?#'(%F!J'(!,Y04?*,!\2#,!$.,0!'J!b#'4,V!0%!0!?*0+,!2'!B$3,!0-.!(,+,$3,!
-/(2/(,]!6,+'4$-B!\0!-,&!4,20?#'(!J'(!2#,!&'()?*0+,]!^K'C,(%F!OeTT`;!=2!$%!&'(2#!-'2$-B!#,(,!2#02!
d#$2,!^P<OS`!+'-%$.,(%!0%?,+2%!'J!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-!$2%,*J!2'!6,!60%,.!0('/-.!2#,!0??*$+02$'-!'J!
4,20?#'(%!J('4!,+'%C%2,4%!2'!%'+$0*!%C%2,4%;!!
D-,!%$B-$J$+0-2!0(,0!&#,(,!-,&!4,20?#'(%!4$B#2!'JJ,(!'??'(2/-$2$,%!J'(!2(0-%$2$'-!$%!2#,!,+'-'4C;!
5!-/46,(!'J!,+'-'4$%2%!^,;B;!>0-.0/!_!E,,J,(F!P<O:`!#03,!-'2,.!2#,!&0C%!$-!&#$+#!2#,!4,20?#'(!'J!
b2#,!-02$'-0*!,+'-'4C!$%!0!#'/%,#'*.!6/.B,2VF!+'44'-*C!,4?*'C,.!6C!4,.$0!0-.!?'*$2$+$0-%!0*$),F!$%!
-'2![/%2!0-!'3,(%$4?*$J$+02$'-!6/2!0!%2(/+2/(0*!,(('(!$-!2,(4%!'J!40-C!),C!J,02/(,%!'J!2#,!%C%2,4%!
/-.,(!.$%+/%%$'-F!%/+#!0%!J$Y02$'-!'-!b60*0-+$-B!2#,!6'')%V;!"#$%!*,0.%!2'!%?,+$J$+!.,+$%$'-%!6,$-B!
40.,!^0/%2,($2C!?'*$+$,%!J'(!,Y04?*,`!2#02!0(B/06*C!+0/%,!#0(4!'(!(,%2($+2!2#,!06$*$2C!'J!2#,!%C%2,4!2'!
0.0?2!2'!+#0-B,%!$-!+$(+/4%20-+,%;!X'&!&'/*.!?/6*$+!?'*$2$+0*!.$%+'/(%,!'-!2#,!,+'-'4C!6,!
.$JJ,(,-2!$J!0!.$JJ,(,-2!4,20?#'(!&,(,!/%,.k!^d,!+0-!$40B$-,!$.,0%!%/+#!0%!b2#,!,+'-'4C!$%!0!
B0(.,-V!'(!b2#,!,+'-'4C!$%!0!*'0J!'J!6(,0.!6,$-B!60),.;V`!d'/*.!$2!6,!6,22,(!/%,.!2'*explainF!'(!2'!
persuadek!D(!6'2#k!
Discussion:)Why)have)we)included)this?)
"#,!0(2!'J!.,%$B-$-B!-,&!4,20?#'(%!0-.!J(04$-B%!$%!&,**!0.30-+,.!$-!?'*$2$+0*!+'-2,Y2%!^>0)'JJF!P<O:`!
0-.!$-+(,0%$-B*C!$-!+'(?'(02,!%,22$-B%!^f(0(.F!P<OS`F!6/2!#0%!6,,-!/-.,(,Y?*'(,.!$-!.,%$B-!0-.!

J/2/(,%F!0-.!'JJ,(%!?'2,-2$0*!J'(!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-,(%!2'!,-06*,!+'44/-$2$,%!2'!2#$-)!06'/2F!,-3$%$'-F!
0-.!/-.,(%20-.!2#,$(!+/((,-2!%$2/02$'-!0-.!?'%%$6*,!J/2/(,%F!6'2#!*'+0**C!0-.!02!B*'60*!%+0*,F!$-!-,&!
&0C%;!"#,!-,&!4,20?#'(%!+0-!6,!B,-,(02,.!$-!0!-/46,(!'J!&0C%F!J('4!402+#$-B!b%2(/+2/(0*!
J,02/(,%V!'J!%$2/02$'-%F!2'!0!%,4$7(0-.'4!?('+,%%!'J!6$%'+$02$'-!^E',%2*,(F!OeQ:c!>'+)2'-!,2!0*F!
P<OTai$B/(,!R`;!Z/2!0!?0(2$+$?02'(C!?('+,%%!$-!&#$+#!+'44/-$2$,%!+'7.,%$B-!2#,!-,&!4,20?#'(%F!
$-3'*3$-B!?,'?*,!$-!/-.,(%20-.$-B!2#,$(!'&-!0-.!,0+#!'2#,(V%!/-.,(%20-.$-B!0%!2#,!4,20?#'(%!0(,!
+'-%2(/+2,.!0-.!,Y?*'(,.!%,,4%!?(,J,(06*,!J('4!0!2(0-%$2$'-!?'$-2!'J!3$,&!2'!'-,!&#,(,!-,&!
4,20?#'(%!0(,!$4?'%,.!6C!0-!0/2#'($2C!%,,)$-B!2'!?,(%/0.,;!
Related:*frames,*imaginaries,*lenses,*worldbuilding*!!!
!
!
Figure*7:*Participants*at*an*Imaginaries*Lab*New*Metaphors*workshop*run*by*Dan*Lockton*and*Sarah*Foley*at*the*Google*
SPAN*conference,*2017,*talk*through*their*ideas*for*new*metaphorical*representations*of*concepts.*Photo*by*Dan*Lockton.*
A!Conclusion!!
D-,!'J!'/(!0$4%!$-!,-2,($-B!2#,!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-!(,%,0(+#!.$%+'/(%,!$%!2'!J$-.!&0C%!'J!&'()$-B!
?(0+2$+0**C!&#$+#!,46'.C!0-.!0.30-+,!2#,!$.,0%!$-#,(,-2!$-!2#,!2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-!?0(0.$B4F!&#$*,!
40)$-B!/%,!'J!2#,!40-C!2,+#-$W/,%!0-.!4,2#'.%!.,3,*'?,.!$-!'2#,(!J$,*.%!^04'-B!2#,4!.,%$B-!
(,%,0(+#!4'(,!&$.,*CF!J'(,%$B#2!0-.!J/2/(,%!%2/.$,%F!.,%$B-!J'(!%'+$0*!+#0-B,F!%C%2,4$+!0-.!%2(02,B$+!
.,%$B-F!0-.!4'(,`!0-.!$2,(02,.!'3,(!2#,!+'/(%,!'J!40-C!?('[,+2%!0-.!,-B0B,4,-2%;!"#$%!4'.,%2!
+'**,+2$'-!'J!$.,0%!$%!?/2!J'(&0(.!?0(2*C!0%!0!?('3'+02$'-F!?0(2*C!0%!?'2,-2$0*!.,?0(2/(,!?'$-2!J'(!0!
4'(,!+'4?(,#,-%$3,!,-.,03'/(F!0-.!?0(2*C!0%!0-!$-3$202$'-!J'(!'2#,(%!&'()$-B!&$2#$-F!'(!$-2,(,%2,.!
$-F!.,%$B-$-B!J'(!2(0-%$2$'-%!2'!+'-2($6/2,!*,-%,%!2#,C!J$-.!/%,J/*!J'(!-,&!&0C%!'J!%,,$-B;!"#,!0/2#'(%!
&,*+'4,!(,0.,(%V!%/BB,%2$'-%;!!!
52!2#$%!2$4,F!2#,!3'+06/*0(C!$%!'J!+'/(%,!J(0B4,-20(C;!Z/2!2#$%!&$**!+#0-B,;!M0(2!'J!2#,!2(0-%$2$'-!02!
%20),!$%!'/(!$-2,(-0*F!+'**,+2$3,F!.,3,*'?4,-20*!%#$J2!J('4!?(,*$4$-0(CF!2,-202$3,!0-.!4$%+,**0-,'/%!
6,B$--$-B%F!2'!0-!,Y?0-.$-B!(,J,(,-+,!/-$3,(%,!'J!+0%,%!0-.!2,(4%F!0-.!0!6,22,(!,%206*$%#,.!%,-%,!'J!
#'&!2'!.'!&#02!-,,.%!2'!6,!.'-,;!>02,*CF!,JJ'(2%!$-%?$(,.!6C!2#,!J(04$-B!+'-+,?2!'J!2#,!b?022,(-!

*0-B/0B,V!#03,!6,B/-!2'!'/2*$-,!2#,!40)$-B%!'J!0!6'.C!'J!?(0+2$+,!&$2#!%$4$*0(!*0(B,7%+0*,!
2(0-%$2$'-0*!0-.!2(0-%J'(402$'-0*!$-2,-2!^i$-$.'($!,2!0*;F!P<OSc!Z0/4B0(2-,(!,2!0*;F!P<OQ`;!"#,!
W/,%2$'-%!&,!+'-+*/.,!&$2#!J'(!2#,!4'4,-2F!2#,-F!+'-+,(-!#'&!&,!4$B#2!/*2$402,*C!6/$*.!0!
+'**,+2$'-!'J!2(0-%$2$'-0*!*,-%,%!$-2'!%'4,2#$-B!4'(,!%C%2,402$+;!d#02!&'/*.!0!?022,(-!*0-B/0B,!J'(!
2(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-!*'')!*$),k!d#02!'2#,(!0(,0%!'J!.,%$B-!(,%,0(+#!#03,!*,-%,%!2'!+'-2($6/2,k!
!
References!!
5B/$((,!L**'0F!K;F!_!M0/*%,-F!5;!^P<OR`;!1'7.,%$B-$-B!&$2#!(,*02$'-%#$?%!$-!4$-.@!=-2('./+$-B!(,*02$'-0*!402,($0*!
40??$-B;!Form*Akademisk,*10^O`F!OjO:;!
5$-%*$,F!g;!^P<<O`;!Breakdown*of*Will;!1046($.B,@!1046($.B,!L-$3,(%$2C!M(,%%;!
5*,Y0-.,(F!1;F!=%#$)0&0F!9;F!9$*3,(%2,$-F!K;F!l0+'6%'-F!K;F!i$)%.0#*7E$-BF!=;F!_!5-B,*F!9;!^OeRR`;!A*Pattern*
Language:*Towns,*Buildings,*Construction;!8,&!I'()@!DYJ'(.!L-$3,(%$2C!M(,%%;!
5*2,(F!>;!^P<OQF!e!K0C`;!g,2!C'/(!#$2!'J!-02/(,!$-%$.,!C'/(!#'4,!'(!'JJ$+,!&$2#!802/(,M'.;!Treehugger;!
m,2($,3,.!J('4!#22?@AA&&&;2(,,#/BB,(;+'4A%/%20$-06*,7?('./+27.,%$B-AB,27C'/(7#$27-02/(,7$-%$.,7C'/(7
#'4,7'(7'JJ$+,7-02/(,?'.;#24*!
5-.,(%'-F!Z;!^OeTh`;!Imagined*Communities:*Reflections*on*the*Origin*and*Spread*of*Nationalism;!>'-.'-@!
U,(%';!
5??0./(0$F!5;!^Oee<`;!G$%[/-+2/(,!0-.!.$JJ,(,-+,!$-!2#,!B*'60*!+/*2/(0*!,+'-'4C;!Public*Culture,*2^P`F!OjP:;!
Z02,%'-F!g;!^OeRP`;!Steps*to*an*Ecology*of*Mind;!90-!i(0-+$%+'@!1#0-.*,(;!
Z02,%'-F!K;!1;!^OeT:`;!With*a*Daughter’s*Eye:*A*Memoir*of*Margaret*Mead*and*Gregory*Bateson;!8,&!I'()@!
d$**$04!K'(('&;!
Z0/4B0(2-,(F!M;F!g(/6,(7K/,+),F!";F!_!9$+)$-B,(F!m;!^f.%;`;!^P<OR`;!Pursuit*of*Pattern*Languages*for*Societal*
Change:*Designing*Lively*Scenarios*in*Various*Fields!^P-.!,.`;!E(,4%F!5/%2($0@!f.$2$'-!G'-0/7L-$3,(%$2v2!
E(,4%;!
Z'0*F!5;!^P<<P`;!Games*for*Actors*and*Non-actors!^P-.!,.F!5;!l0+)%'-F!"(0-%;`;!>'-.'-@!m'/2*,.B,;!
Z'%+#F!9;!^P<OQ`;!G,%$B-V%!m'*,!$-!M'*$+C40)$-B;!=-@!>;!M$?)$-!^f.;`F!The*Pursuit*of*Legible*Policy:*Agency*and*
Participation*in*the*Complex*Systems*of*the*Contemporary*Megalopolis;!K,Y$+'!1$2C@!Z/(t7Z/(t;!
Z'&.,-F!i;F!>'+)2'-F!G;F!g#,,(0&'F!m;F!_!Z(0%%F!1;!^P<OS`;!Drawing*Energy:*Exploring*Perceptions*of*the*
Invisible;!>'-.'-@!m'C0*!1'**,B,!'J!5(2;!
Z'YF!g;!f;!M;F!_!G(0?,(F!8;!m;!^OeTR`;!Empirical*Model-building*and*Response*Surfaces;!8,&!I'()@!d$*,C;!
Z('')%F!i;!M;!^OeRS`;!The*Mythical*Man-Month:*Essays*on*Software*Engineering;!Z'%2'-F!K5@!5..$%'-7d,%*,C;!
10-.CF!9;!^P<O<`;!The*Futures*of*Everyday*Life:*Politics*and*the*Design*of*Experiential*Scenarios;!M#G!
.$%%,(202$'-F!L-$3,(%$2C!'J!X0&0$$!02!K0-'0;!.'$@O<;OhO:<Amg;P;O;OT:<;<P:T!
10-.CF!9;!^P<Oh`;!"$4,!40+#$-,!A!(,3,(%,!0(+#0,'*'BC;!=-!1;!Z($BB%!^f.;`;!72*Assignments:*The*Foundation*
Course*in*Art*and*Design*Today;!M0($%@!M15!M(,%%F!??;!PTjh<;!
10-.CF!9;!^P<O:`;!fY?,($,-2$0*!J/2/(,%;!The*Futurist,*48^S`@!h:jhR;!
10-.CF!9;!^P<OS`;!"#,!2#$-B!J('4!2#,!J/2/(,;!=-!5;!1/((C!^f.;`;!The*APF*Methods*Anthology;!>'-.'-@!5%%'+$02$'-!
'J!M('J,%%$'-0*!i/2/($%2%F!??;!OTjPO;!
10-.CF!9;!^P<OT`;!g04$-B!J/2/(,%!*$2,(0+C@!"#,!2#$-B!J('4!2#,!J/2/(,;!=-!m;!K$**,(!^f.;`;!Transforming*the*Future:*
Anticipation*in*the*21st*Century;!>'-.'-@!m'/2*,.B,F!??;!PhhjP:Q;!
10-.CF!9;F!G02'(F!l;F!_!G/-0B0-F!l;!^P<<Q`;!Four*futures*for*Hawaii*2050;!X'-'*/*/@!X0&0$$!m,%,0(+#!1,-2,(!J'(!
i/2/(,%!92/.$,%;!
10-.CF!9;F!_!G/-0B0-F!l;!^P<OR`;!G,%$B-$-B!0-!,Y?,($,-2$0*!%+,-0($'@!"#,!?,'?*,!&#'!30-$%#,.;!Futures,*86F!
OhQjOSh;!!
10-.CF!9;F!_!E'(-,2F!E;!^P<OR`;!f2#-'B(0?#$+!,Y?,($,-2$0*!J/2/(,%@!5!J$,*.!B/$.,;!Design/Develop/Transform*
ConferenceF!OS!l/-,F!Z(/%%,*%;!.'$@O<;OhO:<Amg;P;P;h<QPh;eR::T!
1$*0F!8;!^P<Oh`;!Metaphors*We*Design*By:*The*Use*of*Metaphors*in*Product*Design;!M#G!2#,%$%F!"L!G,*J2;!
1*0()F!5;F!_!1#0*4,(%F!G;!^OeeT`;!"#,!,Y2,-.,.!4$-.;!Analysis,*58^O`F!RjOe;!
1'-0-2F!m;!1;F!_!5%#6CF!d;!m;!^OeR<`;!f3,(C!B''.!(,B/*02'(!'J!0!%C%2,4!4/%2!6,!0!4'.,*!'J!2#02!%C%2,4;!
International*Journal*of*Systems*Science,*1^P`F!TejeR;!
1'-&0CF!K;!f;!^OeQT`;!X'&!.'!+'44$22,,%!$-3,-2k!DatamationF!5?($*!OeQTF!??;!PTjhO;!
1/((CF!5;F!_!X'.B%'-F!5;!^P<<T`;!9,,$-B!$-!4/*2$?*,!#'($n'-%@!1'--,+2$-B!J/2/(,%!2'!%2(02,BC;!Journal*of*Futures*
Studies,*13^O`F!OjP<;!
G02'(F!l;!^OeRe`;!"#,!J/2/(,%!'J!+/*2/(,!'(!+/*2/(,%!'J!2#,!J/2/(,;!=-!5;!l;!K0(%,**0F!m;!g;!"#0(?F!_!";!l;!1$6'('%)$!
^f.%;`;!Perspectives*on*Cross-cultural*Psychology;!8,&!I'()@!5+0.,4$+!M(,%%F!??;!hQejhTT;!

G02'(F!l;!^OeeQ`;!i'(,&'(.;!=-!m;!9*0/B#2,(!^f.;`;!The*Knowledge*Base*of*Futures*Studies!^3'*;!OF!??;!Y$Y7YY`;!
X0&2#'(-F!5/%2(0*$0@!GGK!K,.$0!g('/?;!
G02'(F!l;!^P<<e`;!5*2,(-02$3,!J/2/(,%!02!2#,!K0-'0!9+#''*;!Journal*of*Futures*Studies,*14^P`F!OjOT;!
G,!Z'-'F!f;!^OeRR`;!Wordpower:*An*Illustrated*Dictionary*of*Vital*Words;!8,&!I'()@!X0(?,(;!
G,--,22F!G;!1;!^P<Oh`;!Intuition*Pumps*and*Other*Tools*for*Thinking;!8,&!I'()@!d;!d;!8'(2'-!0-.!1'4?0-C;!
G$*-'2F!1;!^P<OS`;!X$%2'(CF!.,%$B-F!J/2/(,%@!1'-2,-.$-B!&$2#!&#02!&,!#03,!40.,;!=-@!!";!i(CF!1;!G$*-'2F!_!9;1;!
92,&0(2F!Design*and*the*Question*of*History;!>'-.'-@!Z*''4%6/(CF!??;!OhOjPRP;!
G/66,(*CF!X;F!_!M0-B0('F!M;!^P<<R`;!1C6,(-,2$+%!0-.!%,(3$+,7+(0J2@!>0-B/0B,!J'(!6,#03$'(7J'+/%,.!.,%$B-;!
Kybernetes,*36^e`F!Oh<OjOhOR;!
G/-0B0-F!l;!^P<OS`;!d#'!'&-%!2#,!,Y2,-.,.!4$-.k@!"#,!-,/('?'*$2$+%!'J!$-2,**,+2/0*!?('?,(2C!*0&;!=-!K;!G03$.!
_!G;!X0*6,(2!^f.%;`;!The*Sage*Handbook*of*Intellectual*Property;!>'%!5-B,*,%@!90B,F!??;!QTejR<R;!
G/--,F!5;!^P<<Q`;!Hertzian*Tales:*Electronic*Products,*Aesthetic*Experience,*and*Critical*Design.!1046($.B,F!
K5@!K="!M(,%%;!
f0%2,(*$-BF!E;!^P<O:`;!Extrastatecraft:*The*Power*of*Infrastructure*Space;!>'-.'-@!U,(%';!
f-'F!Z;F!_!9+#4$.2F!M;!^OeRS`;!Oblique*Strategies:*Over*100*Worthwhile*Dilemmas;!^10(.!.,+)`;!>'-.'-@!5?'**';!
f(0(.F!K;!^P<OSF!e!l/-,`;!9,,!2#('/B#!&'(.%;!Aeon;!m,2($,3,.!J('4!#22?%@AA0,'-;+'A,%%0C%A#'&72'76/$*.707
4,20?#'(72'7+#0-B,7?,'?*,7%74$-.%!
i$-+#,(F!9;!^P<OP`;!9'4,!('*,%!'J!?022,(-%!0-.!?022,(-!*0-B/0B,%!$-!2#,!+0?2/(,!0-.!2(0-%J,(!'J!.,%$B-!
)-'&*,.B,;!d'()$-B!?0?,(F!030$*06*,!02!
#22?%@AA&&&;+%;),-2;0+;/)A?,'?*,A%20JJA%0JA?022,(-%Ad#CG'M022,(-%d'();?.J!
i$-$.'($F!X;F!X,-J(,CF!";F!K+>0(,-F!K;F!>0$2-,(F!E;F!Z'(B#$-$F!9;F!M/$BF!U;Fsi0*),-2#0*F!K;!^P<OS`;!"#,!M>59"!
?('[,+2@!M022,(-!*0-B/0B,%!J'(!%C%2,4$+!2(0-%J'(402$'-;!Spanda*Journal,*1^O`F!P<SjPOT;!
i/-)F!l;!^P<OR`;!5%%,%%$-B!?/6*$+!J'(,+0%2%!2'!,-+'/(0B,!0++'/-206$*$2C@!"#,!+0%,!'J!K="V%!",+#-'*'BC!m,3$,&;!
PLoS*ONE*12^T`;!.'$@O<;OhROA['/(-0*;?'-,;<OTh<hT!
i/(-,%%F!G;!^P<ORF!O!5/B/%2`;!X,(,w%!0!606C!Um!#,0.%,2!J'(!2#,!?0(,-2%!'J!2#,!J/2/(,;!Vice*Creators*Project;!
m,2($,3,.!J('4!#22?%@AA+(,02'(%;3$+,;+'4A,-x/%A0(2$+*,A.hT0.YA606C73(7#,0.%,27J/2/(,7?0(,-2%7%2/0(27
+0-.C!
g0*$)F!g;!^P<OQ`;!1$2$n,-!,-B0B,4,-2!$-!0-.!6,C'-.!b%40(2!+$2$,%V;!=-!>;!M$?)$-!^f.;`F!The*Pursuit*of*Legible*
Policy:*Agency*and*Participation*in*the*Complex*Systems*of*the*Contemporary*Megalopolis;!K,Y$+'!1$2C@!
Z/(t7Z/(t;!
g0440F!f;F!X,*4F!m;F!l'#-%'-F!m;F!_!U*$%%$.,%F!l;!^Oee:`;!Design*Patterns:*Elements*of*Reusable*Object-Oriented*
Software.*Z'%2'-@!5..$%'-7d,%*,C;!
g,(40-F!f;!^P<ORF!PS!D+2'6,(`;!f3,(C!J/2/(,!&,!2#$-)!'J!J'**'&%!'-,!'J!J'/(!-0((02$3,%;!Quartz;!m,2($,3,.!J('4!
#22?%@AAWn;+'4AOOO<RROA,3,(C7J/2/(,7&,72#$-)7'J7J'**'&%7'-,7'J7J'/(7-0((02$3,%A!
g*0-3$**,F!m;!^OeeS`;!5!+C6,(-,2$+!4/%$-B@!1'-2('*!P;!Cybernetics*&*Human*Knowing,*3^P`F!??;!:hj:Q!
gt4,n7K'-2F!g;!^P<OQ`;!M'*$2$+0*!$40B$-02$'-@!"'&0(.%!0-!,Y?,($4,-20*!2#,'(C!'J!*,B$6*,!?'*$+C;!=-!>;!M$?)$-!
^f.;`F!The*Pursuit*of*Legible*Policy:*Agency*and*Participation*in*the*Complex*Systems*of*the*Contemporary*
Megalopolis;!K,Y$+'!1$2C@!Z/(t7Z/(t;!
g(0,6,(F!G;!^P<OS`;!The*Utopia*of*Rules:*On*Technology,*Stupidity,*and*the*Secret*Joys*of*Bureaucracy;!
Z('')*C-F!8I@!K,*3$**,!X'/%,;!
g($JJ$2#F!9;!^P<<TF!h<!D+2'6,(`;!M(,%,-202$'-!02!M'?q",+#!^U$.,'`;!m,2($,3,.!J('4!#22?@AA3$4,';+'4AR<TO:hT!
g('/?!M022,(-!>0-B/0B,!M('[,+2;!^P<OO`;!Group*Works:*A*Pattern*Language*for*Bringing*Life*to*Meetings*and*
Other*Gatherings!^10(.!.,+)`;!#22?%@AAB('/?&'()%.,+);'(BA.,+)!
X0*?($-F!>;!^OeR<`;!The*RSVP*Cycles:*Creative*Processes*in*the*Human*Environment;!8,&!I'()@!g,'(B,!Z(0n$**,(;!
X0(0($F!I;!8;!^P<O:`;!Sapiens:*A*Brief*History*of*Humankind;!8,&!I'()@!X0(?,(;!
X0C*,%F!8;!E;!^P<<O`;!G,%$($-B!0B,-+C@!!>$4$2$-B!4,20?#'(%!0-.!,-06*$-B!+'-%2(0$-2%!$-!G0&)$-%!0-.!
G,*,/n,Ag/0220($;!SubStanceF!94/95F!O::jOSe;!
X0C&0(.F!M;F!_!10-.CF!9;!^P<OR`;!"#,!M'*0)!B04,F!D(@!d#,(,!.'!C'/!%20-.k!Journal*of*Futures*Studies,*22^P`@!Sj
O:;!.'$@!O<;QShOAli9;P<OR;PP^P`;5S!!
X,)),(2F!M;F!_!1$*0F!8;!^P<OS`;!X0-.*,!&$2#!+0(,q!d#C!0-.!#'&!.,%$B-,(%!40),!/%,!'J!?('./+2!4,20?#'(%;!
Design*Studies,!40F!OeQjPOR;!
X'.B%'-F!";F!_!9#0(?,F!Z;!^P<<R`;!G,,?,-$-B!i/2/(,%!&$2#!9C%2,4!92(/+2/(,;!=-!Z;!9#0(?,!_!E;!30-!.,(!X,$[.,-!
^f.%;`F!Scenarios*for*Success:*Turning*Insights*into*Action;!1#$+#,%2,(F!LE@!d$*,C;!
X'J%20.2,(F!G;!m;!^P<<O`;!5-0*'BC!0%!2#,!+'(,!'J!+'B-$2$'-;!=-!G;!g,-2-,(F!E;!l;!X'*C'0)F!_!Z;!8;!E')$-'3!^f.%;`F!
The*Analogical*Mind:*Perspectives*from*Cognitive*Science;!1046($.B,F!K5@!K="!M(,%%F!??;!:eejShT;!!!
X$**F!G;!^P<OP`;!Dark*Matter*and*Trojan*Horses:*A*Strategic*Design*Vocabulary;!K'%+'&@!92(,*)0!M(,%%;!
X,-.($+)%F!G;!^P<O:`;!Systems*Mythology*Toolkit!^9m7OQRS1`;!M0*'!5*2'F!15@!=-%2$2/2,!J'(!2#,!i/2/(,;!

=(&$-F!";F!E'%%'JJF!g;F!"'-)$-&$%,F!1;F!_!9+/?,**$F!M;!^P<OS0`;!Transition*Design;!M$22%6/(B#F!M5@!10(-,B$,!K,**'-!
9+#''*!'J!G,%$B-;!
=(&$-F!";F!E'%%'JJF!g;F!_!"'-)$-&$%,F!1;!^P<OS6`;!"(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-!?('3'+02$'-;!Design*Philosophy*Papers,!13^O`F!
hjOO;!
l0$-F!5;F!l0-)0/%)0%F!U;F!_!5(.,(-F!l;!^P<OQ`;!9#$J2$-B!2#,!60*0-+,@!G,%$B-!J'(!,W/$206*,!+$2$,%;!=-!>;!M$?)$-!^f.;`F!
The*Pursuit*of*Legible*Policy:*Agency*and*Participation*in*the*Complex*Systems*of*the*Contemporary*
Megalopolis;!K,Y$+'!1$2C@!Z/(t7Z/(t;!!
l0%0-'JJF!9;F!_!E$4F!97X;!^P<OS`;!Dreamscapes*of*Modernity:*Sociotechnical*Imaginaries*and*the*Fabrication*of*
Power;!1#$+0B'@!L-$3,(%$2C!'J!1#$+0B'!M(,%%;!
l'-,%F!8;!5;F!m'%%F!X;F!>C-04F!";F!M,(,nF!M;F!_!>,$2+#F!5;!^P<OO`;!K,-20*!4'.,*%@!0-!$-2,(.$%+$?*$-0(C!%C-2#,%$%!'J!
2#,'(C!0-.!4,2#'.%;!Ecology*and*SocietyF!16^O`F!0(2;!-';!:Q;!
l/-BF!X;F!d$*2%,F!X;F!_!d$6,(BF!K;!^P<OR`;!K,20?#'(%F!402,($0*$2$,%F!0-.!0JJ'(.0-+,%@!XC6($.!4'(?#'*'B$,%!$-!
2#,!.,%$B-!'J!$-2,(0+2$3,!0(2$J0+2%;!Design*StudiesF!$-!?(,%%;!
E0#-F!X;!^OeQP`;!=-!.,J,-%,!'J!2#$-)$-B;!=-!M;!G;!5*$B$+0!_!E;!m;!d,$-%2,$-!^f.%;`;!^P<<e`;!The*Essential*Herman*
Kahn:*In*Defense*of*Thinking!^??;!e7PS`;!>0-#04F!KG@!>,Y$-B2'-!Z'')%;!
E',%2*,(F!5;!^OeQ:`;!The*Act*of*Creation;!>'-.'-@!X/2+#$-%'-;!
E'%%'JJF!g;!^P<OS`;!X'*$%4!0-.!2#,!(,+'-%2$2/2$'-!'J!,3,(C.0C!*$J,@!0!J(04,&'()!J'(!2(0-%$2$'-!2'!0!%/%20$-06*,!
%'+$,2C;!Design*Philosophy*PapersF!13^O`F!PSjhT;!
E'%%'JJF!g;F!=(&$-F!";F!_!d$**$%F!57K;!^P<OS`;!"(0-%$2$'-!.,%$B-;!Design*Philosophy*PapersF!13^O`F!OjP;!
E($??,-.'(JJF!E;!^P<<Q`;!The*Semantic*Turn:*A*New*Foundation*for*Design;!Z'+0!m02'-F!i>@!1m1!M(,%%;!
>0)'JJF!g;!^P<O:`;!The*All*New*Don't*Think*of*an*Elephant!:*Know*Your*Values*and*Frame*the*Debate;!d#$2,!
m$3,(!l/-+2$'-F!U"@!1#,*%,0!g(,,-;!
>0)'JJF!g;F!_!l'#-%'-F!K;!^OeT<`;!Metaphors*We*Live*By.!1#$+0B'@!L-$3,(%$2C!'J!1#$+0B'!M(,%%;!
>046,(2F!9;!^P<<e;`!Z,%2!+0%,!%+,-0($';!Fillip*9;!m,2($,3,.!J('4!#22?@AAJ$**$?;+0A+'-2,-2A6,%27+0%,7%+,-0($'!
>0-.0/F!K;!l;F!_!E,,J,(F!>;!5;!^P<O:`;!"#,!?,(%/0%$3,!?'&,(!'J!?'*$2$+0*!4,20?#'(%;!=-!M;!i'(B0%F!d;!1(0-'F!_!E;!
i$,.*,(!^f.%;`F!Social*Psychology*and*Politics;!8,&!I'()@!M%C+#'*'BC!M(,%%;!
>0-$,(F!l;!^OeeS`;!5B,-2%!'J!0*$,-02$'-;!Journal*of*Consciousness*Studies,!2F!RQjTO;!
>0-n,-$F!G;!^P<OQ`;!940(2!B*'60*!J/2/(,%@!G,%$B-$-B!0JJ'(.06*,!402,($0*$2$,%!J'(!0!6,22,(!*$J,;!=-!9;!M$-)F!f;!
5(.y3'*F!_!G;!>0-n,-$!^f.%;`F!Digital*Materialities:*Design*and*Anthropology;!>'-.'-@!Z*''4%6/(C;!
>,!G0-2,+F!1;5;F!_!G$90*3'F!1;!^P<Oh`;!=-J(0%2(/+2/($-B!0-.!2#,!J'(402$'-!'J!?/6*$+%!$-!?0(2$+$?02'(C!.,%$B-;!
Social*Studies*of*ScienceF!43^P`F!P:OjPQ:;!
>,3$20%F!m;!^P<Oh`;!Utopia*as*Method:*The*Imaginary*Reconstitution*of*Society;!>'-.'-@!M0*B(03,!K0+K$**0-;!
>'+)2'-F!G;!^P<OQ0`;!!G,%$B-$-B!5B,-+C!$-!2#,!1$2C;!=-@!M$?)$-F!>;!^,.;`F!The*Pursuit*of*Legible*Policy:*Agency*and*
Participation*in*the*Complex*Systems*of*the*Contemporary*Megalopolis;!Z/(t7Z/(tF!K,Y$+'!1$2CF!??;!ShjQO;!
>'+)2'-F!G;!^P<OQ6`;!i(/%2(02,.!K'.,*%;!=-@!m;!Z'(*0-.F!>;!9+0(JJF!_!=;!Z(/-%&$+)!^f.%;`F!Design*and*Violence*Zine*
#2;!G/6*$-@!9+$,-+,!g0**,(C!A!K'K5F!??;!OPjOS;!
>'+)2'-F!G;F!9'4,!1(0+)%!=-!"#,!M03$-B;F!d02,(!"(0??,.!=-!"#,!d$-.'&!DJ!5!Z($2$%#!m0$*!1*0%%!:S<!"(0$-!
10(($0B,;!^P<OT`;!5?'?#,-$0!0%!4,2#'.aD(F!,3,(C2#$-B!$%!,$2#,(!0!4,20?#'(!'(!0-!0-0*'B/,!+'4?/2,(.*CHI*
2018*Workshop*on*Disruptive*Improvisation:*Making*Use*of*Non-Deterministic*Art*Practice%;!51K!9=g1X=!
1'-J,(,-+,!'-!1'4?/2,(7X/40-!=-2,(0+2$'-F!PO7PQ!5?($*F!K'-2(,0*;!!
>'+)2'-F!G;F!X0(($%'-F!G;F!_!920-2'-F!8;5;!^P<O<`;!Design*with*Intent:*101*Patterns*for*Influencing*Behaviour*
Through*Design*v.1.0F!d$-.%'(@!fW/$J$-,!
>'+)2'-F!G;F!X0(($%'-F!G;F!_!920-2'-F!8;5;!^P<OP`!K'.,*%!'J!2#,!/%,(@!.,%$B-,(%V!?,(%?,+2$3,%!'-!$-J*/,-+$-B!
%/%20$-06*,!6,#03$'/(;!Journal*of*Design*Research,*10^OAP`F!RjPR;!
>'+)2'-F!G;F!X0(($%'-F!G;F!_!920-2'-F!8;5;!^P<Oh`!fY?*'($-B!.,%$B-!?022,(-%!J'(!%/%20$-06*,!6,#03$'/(;!The*
Design*Journal,*16^:`F!:hO7:Se;!
>'+)2'-F!G;F!m0--,(F!U;!^P<OR`;!M*0-%!0-.!%?,+/*02,.!0+2$'-%@!G,%$B-F!6,#03$'/(!0-.!+'4?*,Y$2C!$-!%/%20$-06*,!
J/2/(,%;!=-@!l;!1#0?40-!^f.;`F!The*Routledge*Handbook*of*Sustainable*Product*Design;!>'-.'-@!m'/2*,.B,F!
??;!:TRjS<O;!
K0207K0($-F!9;F!_!>'+)2'-F!G;!^P<OR`;!",+#-'*'B$,%!'J!.$3$%$'-@!f3,(C.0C!6'(.,($-B;!NORDES*2017:*7th*Nordic*
Design*Research*ConferenceF!OSjOR!l/-,F!D%*';!
K+>/#0-F!K;!^OeQR`;!"#,!(,*02$'-!'J!,-3$('-4,-2!2'!0-2$7,-3$('-4,-2;!=-!i;!d;!K02%'-!_!5;!K'-20B/!^f.%;`;!
The*Human*Dialogue:*Perspectives*on*Communication;!8,&!I'()@!"#,!i(,,!M(,%%F!??;!hej:R;!
K,(2'-F!m;!E;!^Oe:T`;!"#,!%,*J7J/*J$**$-B!?('?#,+C;!The*Antioch*ReviewF!8^P`F!OehjPO<;!
K,(2'-F!m;!E;!^OeeS`;!"#,!"#'40%!"#,'(,4!0-.!2#,!K022#,&!fJJ,+2;!Social*ForcesF!74^P`F!hRej:P:;!
K,2+0*JF!9;!^P<ORF!OT!5/B/%2`;!8,'*$6,(0*$%4@!2#,!$.,0!2#02!%&0**'&,.!2#,!&'(*.;!The*Guardian;!m,2($,3,.!J('4!
#22?%@AA&&&;2#,B/0(.$0-;+'4A-,&%AP<ORA0/BAOTA-,'*$6,(0*$%472#,7$.,072#027+#0-B,.72#,7&'(*.!

K'C,(%F!Z;!^OeTT`;!5!&'(*.!'J!$.,0%@!102#,($-,!Z02,%'-@!g,-.,(!0-.!2#,!4$Y,.!&'()?*0+,;!530$*06*,!02@!
#22?@AA6$**4'C,(%;+'4A+'-2,-2A+02#,($-,7602,%'-7B,-.,(7('*,%A!
M'*0)F!i;!^OeRh`;!The*Image*of*the*future!^"(0-%;!0-.!06(;F!f;!Z'/*.$-B`;!54%2,(.04@!f*%,3$,(;!
m,3,**F!E;!K;!5;F!_!920-2'-F!8;!5;!^P<OR`;!Mental*Models:*Design*of*User*Interaction*and*Interfaces*for*Domestic*
Energy*Systems;!>'-.'-@!"0C*'(!_!i(0-+$%;!
m'6$-%'-F!l;Z;!^OeTP`;!f-,(BC!60+)+0%2$-B@!5!?('?'%,.!4,2#'.!'J!?'*$+C!0-0*C%$%;!Energy*Policy,*10^:`F!hhRjh::;!
m'6$-%'-F!l;F!Z/(+#F!9;F!"0*&0(F!9;F!Dw9#,0F!K;F!_!d0*%#F!K;!^P<OO`;!f-3$%$'-$-B!%/%20$-06$*$2C@!m,+,-2!?('B(,%%!
$-!2#,!/%,!'J!?0(2$+$?02'(C!60+)+0%2$-B!0??('0+#,%!J'(!%/%20$-06$*$2C!(,%,0(+#;!Technological*Forecasting*&*
Social*ChangeF*78F!RSQjRQT;!
90JJ,(F!G;!^P<<S`;!The*Role*of*Metaphor*in*Interaction*Design;!K0%2,(V%!2#,%$%F!10(-,B$,!K,**'-!9+#''*!'J!
G,%$B-;!
9+#,**F!l;!^P<<T`;!The*Art*of*Game*Design:*A*Book*of*Lenses;!Z/(*$-B2'-F!K5@!K'(B0-!E0/J40--;!
9+#u-F!G;!5;!^OeRe`;!g,-,(02$3,!4,20?#'(@!5!?,(%?,+2$3,!'-!?('6*,47%,22$-B!$-!%'+$0*!?'*$+C;!=-!5;!D(2'-C!^f.;`F!
Metaphor*and*Thought!^P-.!,.;`;!1046($.B,@!1046($.B,!L-$3,(%$2C!M(,%%F!??;!OhRjOQh;!
9+'22F!Z;!^P<OR`;!1C6,(-,2$+!J'/-.02$'-%!J'(!?%C+#'*'BC;!=-!5;!m$,B*,(F!E;!X;!Kz**,(F!_!9;!5;!L4?*,6C!^f.%;`F!New*
Horizons*For*Second-order*Cybernetics;!9$-B0?'(,@!d'(*.!9+$,-2$J$+F!??;!OOejOhh;!
9$*3,(F!8;!^P<OP`;!The*Signal*and*the*Noise:*Why*So*Many*Predictions*Fail*––*But*Some*Don’t;!8,&!I'()@!
M,-B/$-!M(,%%;!
920(F!9;!>;F!_!Z'&),(F!g;!1;!^P<<P`;!X'&!2'!$-J(0%2(/+2/(,;!=-!>;!5;!>$,3('/&!_!9;!>$3$-B%2'-,!^f.%;`F!The*
Handbook*of*New*Media;!"#'/%0-.!D0)%F!15@!90B,F!??;!Ph<jP:S;!
"0*,6F!8;!8;!^P<<R`;!The*Black*Swan:*The*Impact*of*the*Highly*Improbable;!8,&!I'()@!m0-.'4!X'/%,;!
",2*'+)F!M;!f;F!_!g0(.-,(F!G;!^P<OS`;!Superforecasting:*The*Art*and*Science*of*Prediction;!8,&!I'()@!Z('0.&0C!
Z'')%;!
",Y2'(F!m;!Z;!^OeeS`;!"#,!,2#-'B(0?#$+!J/2/(,%!(,%,0(+#!4,2#'.@!0-!0??*$+02$'-!2'!"#0$*0-.;!FuturesF*27^:`F!
:QOj:RO;!
"#'40%F!d;!=;F!_!"#'40%F!G;9;!^OePT`;!The*Child*In*America:*Behavior*Problems*And*Programs;!8,&!I'()@!
5*J(,.!E-'?J;!
"$.&,**F!l;!^P<<S`;!Designing*Interfaces;!9,60%2'?'*F!15@!DVm,$**C;!
d0#*F!G;1;!^P<OQ`;!Designing*Regenerative*Cultures;!5Y4$-%2,(F!f-B*0-.@!"($0(+#C!M(,%%;!
d#$2,F!G;!^P<OS`;!K,20?#'(%F!#C6($.$2CF!J0$*/(,!0-.!&'()@!0!%C4?02#,2$+!0??(0$%0*!'J!"(0-%$2$'-0*!G,%$B-;!
Design*Philosophy*PapersF*13^O`F!hejS<;!
!
!
!
56'/2!2#,!0/2#'(%!
!
Dr!Dan!Lockton!$%!0%%$%20-2!?('J,%%'(!0-.!1#0$(!'J!G,%$B-!92/.$,%!02!10(-,B$,!
K,**'-;!X,!*,0.%!2#,!=40B$-0($,%!>06F!0!-,&!(,%,0(+#!B('/?!/%$-B!.,%$B-!
4,2#'.%!2'!,Y?*'(,!?,'?*,w%!$40B$-$-Ba-,&!&0C%!2'!/-.,(%20-.!%C%2,4%F!
0-.!-,&!&0C%!2'!+#0-B,!2#,4;!G0-!?(,3$'/%*C!&'(),.!02!2#,!m'C0*!1'**,B,!'J!
5(2F!L-$3,(%$2C!'J!d0(&$+)F!0-.!Z(/-,*!L-$3,(%$2C;!
!
Dr!Stuart!Candy!$%!0-!,Y?,($,-2$0*!J/2/($%2!0-.!5%%'+$02,!M('J,%%'(!$-!2#,!
9+#''*!'J!G,%$B-F!10(-,B$,!K,**'-!L-$3,(%$2C;!X,!$%!G$(,+2'(!'J!9$2/02$'-!>06!
0-.!+'7+(,02'(!'J!2#,!0&0(.7&$--$-B!$40B$-02$'-!B04,!"#,!"#$-B!i('4!"#,!
i/2/(,;!X$%!&'()!0$4%!2'!$-+(,0%,!+'**,+2$3,!J'(,%$B#2!+0?0+$2C!/%$-B!.$3,(%,!
4,.$0F!B04,%!0-.!*$3,!$-2,(3,-2$'-%;!=2!#0%!0??,0(,.!0('/-.!2#,!&'(*.!$-!
4/%,/4%F!J,%2$30*%F!+'-J,(,-+,%F!0-.!+$2C!%2(,,2%F!'-!2#,!G$%+'3,(C!1#0--,*F!
0-.!$-!2#,!?0B,%!'J!"#,!f+'-'4$%2!0-.!d$(,.;!!