Writing Design Fiction (2021)

"Written by leading design philosopher Tony Fry, Secord Order Design Fictions is both an introduction to the power of 'design fiction' in the design process, and a work of fiction in itself, telling the dramatic story of the relocation of the city of Urbana . Set in the near future, Urbana, a delta city, is facing environmental catastrophe due to climate change - and the decision is made to relocate the entire city inland. A diverse cast of voices - including an architect, a journalist, an economist, a construction worker, and residents - narrate the extraordinary challenges and complexities which follow. This work presents a real-world scenario which may soon face many of the world's cities, and the fictional format provides a novel way of exploring the very serious inherent technical, social, political, economic and cultural challenges. The story provides a rehearsal of the design challenges which are likely to face architects, planners, and designers in an uncertain global future. 'Design fiction' is a fast-growing area within design and architecture, increasingly deployed as a serious methodology by designers as a tool in scenario planning, and this book also provides a key, critical introduction to how design fiction can be used in such circumstances and situations. The book is divided into four parts, with the fictional part of the work bookended by further critical and analytical parts. Part 1 shows how a critique of design fiction can lead to a more grounded and critical form of thinking and practice, while Parts 3 and 4 offer critical reflections on the narrative, concluding with a general summary for student and professional designers and architects of the value that design fiction can bring to the creative design process."--