Design or Art? Technological Interactivity and Connectivity in Designed Objects in a Speculative Design Approach

Abstract

Speculative design, as a new approach in design filed, is believed to open new ways of thinking and perception of the future. Through the creation of designed objects, this approach attempts to challenge assumptions and preconceptions about the role that products, services and systems play in everyday life. Products or services or systems can be regarded as fictions that can create stories and scenarios in a participatory and humanized way for the view of future. In this sense, speculative design is a method to discover and discuss technology’s influence on everyday life. Based on the literature review of speculative design, the relationship between technology and design, as well as the longtime discussed question: difference between art and design, the author analyzes the technological interactivity and connectivity in 3 typical speculative design cases. In the end, the author points out the nature of speculative designers are new designers who are very close to artists. Two paths of speculative design are classified. As a conclusion, speculative design work are both design as well as art.