Project: Design Futures Sep. - Nov. 2007

So... just over one week into the current project, Design Futures. We've been asked to come up with a concept that addresses the future and the use of new technology. This could be in the form of a product, tool or service and should have a defined rationale behind it. Initially this sounds pretty straight forward but in actual fact it's quite hard and requires a lot of broad research. It seems that one has to consider a lot of facts about where we are currently in our society, to come up with a concept for the future, that is both realistic and potentially successful.
I have started the project by looking at areas in society where technology is most likely to change and improve things in the future, such as in entertainment, health, education etc. One thing I realised when brain storming today's culture in relation to technology is that most things overlap somehow. Where ever possible we are trying to melt things together to gain quicker and easier access to information. Another thing that is noticeable is a desire for quite self-centered activities such as facebook, YouTube etc. However these are also examples of a growing trend for sociable experiences, where you can communicate and share with others. With this in mind I looked into how GPS on mobile phones could provide options for sociable networking within some communities. Parkour would be the obvious circle where it would be useful to be able to track down where these activities were happening out on the street at any time. However GPS as a tracking devise on mobile phones carries some dangers concerning stalkers.
I have especially been looking into new possibilities for mobile phones, I think we could have a lot more options to control things from these, wherever we are, in the future

So far I have looked at:
-Newly emerging technologies
-Technologies that help organise, structure & simplify daily tasks
-Ideas about the future
-Different Design Principles
-The potentials & issues concerning GPS on phones