The exponential speed of technological development makes the future even harder to predict. Making any given future happen often boils down to somewhere between endless iteration of an idea, demographics and to where you were born.
Consequently we are all rushing towards technoutopian futures, currently dictated mostly by large technology companies.
Many look for the solution from data and metrics. While using quantitative data is an essential part of the puzzle, just looking to data alone can create a false sense of simplicity.
In short, reactionary, incremental thinking can sometimes lead to downright dangerous territory where our actions are based on short term things while disregarding the crucial questions about who’s affected and why.
By contrast, the combination of foresight, futures thinking and strategic design gives us tools to build an understanding of the big picture and possible futures. By blending qualitative research with future trends and weak signals on a global level makes it possible to map out desirable futures.
In this talk at IxDA‘s Interaction 20, Jutta Johansson and Virpi Vaittinen show us how to make future visible and actionable, building new ecosystems for future business development, design and organisational change, so that we can translate futures visions to business decisions.
Seeing the New Normal: From futures visions to business decisions
About Jutta Johansson
Jutta Johansson is a futurist and lead design researcher. Her expertise lies on thinking the bigger picture and finding the answers, focus and clear direction from bigger chaos.
She’s gained a great experience working in several countries at large scale corporations and organisations in the areas of lifestyle, automotive, technologies and consumer electronics.
About Virpi Vaittinen
Virpi Vaittinen is a human-centred strategist, futurist and advisor. Her passion lies in figuring out new business opportunities and better tomorrow.
Drawing on her background in design and futures research, she has helped companies in a wide range of industries to understand tomorrow in global markets and embrace new ways of seeing, thinking and doing.
Source: Interaction 20 – Seeing the New Normal – From futures visions to business decisions
