Abductive reasoning for speculative minds. From semiotics to speculative design practice + speculative infopoetry

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in a non-traditional design practice which focuses on the development of a discussion rather than the realization of a product. This practice, named “Speculative Design”, focus itself on the creation of a constructive discussion based on a fictional scenario set in a probable future, where a specific technology, which is now being developed, is domesticated. Starting from a simple “what if?”, the designer is then able to investigate social and ethical issues existing on the hypothetical scenario, addressing challenges and opportunities that otherwise would never be taken into account. This research paper will inquire the features that define this design practice, focussing on how it is connected with critical and traditional design, trying to overlap common feats and characteristics.

Compiendo un percorso che parte da semiotica, arrivando a critical e speculative design, il progetto si propone di trovare punti di incontro e di applicare i caratteri del pensiero abduttivo, conosciuti e studiati da anni, alla pratica dello speculative design, appena nata e ancora in cerca di un suo carattere, passando per design thinking e design critico.