Critical design

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Futures studies
Concepts
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Technology assessment and forecasting
Critical design Design fiction Exploratory engineering FTA Hype cycle Science fiction prototyping Speculative design TRL Technology scouting
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Futarchy Transhumanism
v t e

Critical design uses design fiction and speculative design proposals to challenge assumptions and conceptions about the role objects play in everyday life. Critical design plays a similar role to product design, but does not emphasize an object's commercial purpose or physical utility. It is mainly used to share a critical perspective or inspire debate,^[1] while increasing awareness of social, cultural, or ethical issues in the eyes of the public. Critical design was popularized by Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby through their firm, Dunne & Raby.

Critical design can make aspects of the future physically present to provoke a reaction.^[2] "Critical design is critical thought translated into materiality. It is about thinking through design rather than through words and using the language and structure of design to engage people."^[3] It may be conflated with the critical theory or the Frankfurt School, but it is not related.