DESIGN SCIENCE F®ICTIONS refer to the interplay between envisioning speculative futures through design (science) fiction. It acknowledges the challenges and frictions that emerge during the creative process while also addressing the prevailing increase in science skepticism, fueled by diminishing trust in media and communication. Moreover, it points out the frictions that might occur when society-centered design approaches clash with economic interests and demands of creative industries to compete in a post-capitalist meltdown.

Design Science F®ictions blend elements of design thinking, speculative design, and science fiction to envision and propose innovative future scenarios, products, or systems. It harnesses the creativity and problem-solving capabilities of design to imagine how advancements in technology, society, and culture might shape the future. Design science fiction often incorporates narratives, visualizations, and prototypes to convey these speculative visions, allowing us to explore the potential utopian or dystopian impacts on both individuals and society as a whole.

As a result, Design Science F®ictions represent a transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary methodology that embraces cross-media ideation and solutions. During the International Design Week, we are committed to pushing boundaries and resetting the traditional borders of disciplines and education levels. Second-semesterstudents of the bachelor’s and the master’s programs of all design majors plus students from international partner universities will be mixed together in transdisciplinary cross-media workshops.

Institute of Design & Communication (idk)

The Institute of Design & Communication, one of the largest institutes at the FH JOANNEUM, with around 300 students, contributes to the creative dynamics of the city of Graz. Competence in design, human centered methods, and research are important elements in our interdisciplinary education. Research at the institute encompasses contemporary design challenges in society in collaboration with industry and other academic institutions. The institute offers a bachelor’s program in Information Design and master’s programs in Exhibition Design and Communication, Media, Sound and Interaction Design. Our students learn to understand economic, social, cultural, and technological backgrounds to effectively create design solutions for society as they shape tomorrow’s worlds.