“Graphic design is a form of communication that utilizes colors, shapes, images, and words to create visual content in various forms—primarily print and digital media. Effective designs communicate information in a way that inspires and informs consumers, making it a critical element for any business’s success” (Coursera). Being able to take concepts and communicate what they do and how they do it is very important. This relates strongly to design fiction, which explains how and why a visual designer does what they do.
Design fiction uses design, storytelling, and ideas to come up with possible solutions, especially relating back to possible futures. Using the process, which includes scenario planning and the cone of plausibility are very important in executing this. The scenario planning starts off the entire process by coming up with different situatuons that could happen. This requires all outside information to help improve the overall idea. This leads to a cone of plausibility, which is where you determine what is possible. This is where you funnel through the ideas and see what makes sense for the project ahead. According to Science Direct, “The intelligence analysis domain is a critical area for futures work. Indeed, intelligence analysts’ judgments of security threats are based on considerations of how futures may unfold, and as such play a vital role in informing policy and decision-making.” Using both scenario planning and the cone of plausibility, you are able to come up with well-rounded ideas for the design task. From there, you use design fiction to execute the plan. This can really be any facet of design, including branding, web development, or user Interface and user experience design.
This can relate back to every design project done. For example, you can use these steps to come up with a plan on how artificial intelligence is used inside of a college setting. You first could come up with a hypothetical of what could happen. In this example, it could be solutions like universities embracing AI for student use, then coming up with regulations, or maybe colleges adapting their curriculum to not include any work that could be done by artificial intelligence. The cone of plausibility is then used to see what is realistic. Obviously, colleges can’t lean fully into AI, as that would take away from the education process, but also can’t outright ban it either because students would still find a way to use it. What would be more realistic would be for universities to adapt their curriculum and to put rules and regulations in place. Coming up with the actual solution is the difficult part, but it could include using design fiction to come up with a website, app, or program that integrates AI and academia.
Overall, design fiction is very important when it comes to graphic designers. It helps process and conceptualize ideas and create products for clients. School of Critical Design describes it perfectly, saying “the role of Design Fiction becomes ever more significant – not just in the world of design, but in shaping societal discourse and influencing decision-making.”
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