SPECULATIVE DESIGN

	CONTACT LINKS Speculative design is an emerging practice led research methodology that promotes designed objects as tools for critical reflection. It serves as an alternative to existing research strategies by channeling findings through symbolic material objects. The interaction and experience one has with speculative objects are used to initiate further design. Developing an iterative design practice that reflects upon cultural realities.		ALAVs 2.0 (Autonomous Light Air Vessels) are networked objects that communicate the concept of connectivity among people, objects, and the environment. Through the use of mobile technologies people can influence the behavior of the ALAVs by starting conversations and building closer relationships with them. ALAVs 2.0 reflects upon the current state of connectivity in our everyday lives. The potential of ALAVs 2.0 lies in its ability to captivate a wide audience and communicate the idea of people cohabiting a shared space with networked objects.


			ALAVs1.0 (Autonomous Light Air Vessels) Through a defined research process interactive sculptures were designed to behave and respond in specific ways, creating a networked system that emphasizes autonomous and flocking behavior. The ALAVs are 3 flying objects that exist in a networked environment and communicate through assigned behaviors. They are aware of each other, their surroundings, and respond to people. They reference flocking behavior to visualize and communicate the concept of unpredictably in our environments.


			Construction as Research Building as a strategy, an entry point, and a material exploration. Creating form situated in the context of a critical studio environment to establish a vocabulary and the ability to articulate ideas.


			Object Based Browsing and Material Play A connection of formal elements symbolically represents relationships between online news articles. It shows how we can navigate online content with playful mechanical connections and re-arranging modular forms. A curated journey through virtual material can be initiated and represented aesthetically by a constructed object. Speculative Objects are modes for discovery, non-linear interfaces for play that navigate a parallel world making virtual spaces physical. By creating an exploratory interface they expose how different affordances to discover arise with emerging technology.


			Non-Linear Interfaces Questioning what a listening experience can be by translating information from mp3 music blogs. It is a tangible response to new music infrastructures—a model that uses hand manipulation (object-based browsing) to symbolize associative links between songs from music blogs. An emergent aggregation of blogs and music is determined by physical construction and interactive play with an object. The designed form strived to provide an innovative alternative into how we can experience music. Questioning what that interaction can feel like by rejecting accepted conventions and promoting tactile interactive alternatives.


			Rapid Prototyping