Freedom in creating families
A design speculation about the influences of technology on our reproductive futures and families in 2050
L.L. Hagenaars (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
Aadjan Van Der Helm – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Codesigning Social Change)
S. van Dommelen – Mentor (TU Delft - Internet of Things)
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Abstract
Technologies related to reproduction and fertility follow each other in a rapid tempo as we stand at the start of the biotechnological revolution. How could these technologies which are able to radically alter our evolution alter our families and lives? Big questions with no direct answer.
Within this project speculation and exploration about possible futures within reproduction are constructed using Vision in Product design. A wide variety of information, from literature research to interviews is gathered and formed into clusters that aim to provide a future world-view. This future world-view is the basis that helps the designer create a statement which is a pivotal moment as the statement defines the designers response to the future world-view.
Interaction characteristics help translate this response into actual experiences for the user and last but not least into the to be designed ‘product’,
In the case of this project the product is an speculative exhibit that aims to make the visitor aware of the impact of new reproductive technologies and add to the conversation about our reproductive futures. The focus within the exhibit lies on new types of families that reproductive technologies could create and asks the visitor to think about their personal limits around this new radical make-ability in reproduction.
In order to make the exhibit come to life, 3D drawings, prototypes and storyboards are created. A website allows all aspects of the exhibit to come together and is used as a tool to evaluate the design of the exhibit.