work » speculative

Overview

Speculative Design allows us to devise innovative products and services that twist the norm and question societal standards.

The projects created in this class do not reflect my personal opinions, unless otherwise stated.

my role

I was the visual + slide designer, illustrator, and supporting copywriter for these projects. As teams rotated for each weekly project, I had different members.

Commentary on overconsumption of fast fashion.

This minimalist catalog magazine is a narrative against the overconsumption of fast fashion clothing, one of the fastest growing waste products in landfills. One product in particular, the Haf, is a storage system with a conscience that deliberately reminds its user to re-wear their clothing as time goes on.

This cycle of hoarding clothes comes with the idea that consumers are attracted to cheap, quickly produced clothing, overlooking whether the clothing is necessary to purchase. This concept of “blind consumption” has led to an inherent outcome of increased waste and unworn clothing within this economy.

The Haf is a mischevious means to bring awareness to clothing consumption by quirky alerts, before wreaking a permanent consequence if clothes are not removed off its panels in a year’s time - staying locked in the shelf position.

Critical stance on medication dependency.

Automed illustrates a possible world in which this mechanism provides a “quick fix” to mental health issues in the form of medication. Dispensed mood stabilizing pills are inscribed with succinct phrases of comfort such as “you’ll be fine” and “don’t be nervous”. Empathy for one's own well being and self-awareness is lost in using this device as the pills they are given offers merely surface level, fake positivity dependent on idea that medicating equates to healing.