From the first messages on clay tablets to the comment column on Instagram: Media has connected us humans since the beginning of time. Much of our communication today takes place in mass media such as social networks. We use social media to exchange political views, find information, build professional networks and share private moments. Much of this communication takes place within the boundaries of a commercialized internet on a few dominant platforms. The design of these digital environments undoubtedly has an influence on how we communicate with each other online, what we see and how we are perceived. In addition, the media transformation is also changing our society.
In this course, students critically reflect on these digital environments and their influence on our communication and society. They use Design Futuring methods to create speculative scenarios, critical reflections or innovative future products in the field of social media.
What social, technological and political trends can we observe in the field of social media?
What methods from design futuring can we use to explore possible futures of digital media that connect people?
How can I give others tangible and visual access to my design for the future?
How can I use design as a form of (visual) storytelling to open up new perspectives?
Im Jahr 2044 übernimmt eine KI namens Luna die komplette digitale Selbstinszenierung vieler Menschen. Sie schreibt Posts, erstellt Videos, kommentiert, alles auf Basis individueller Datenprofile. Das Digitale wird so zur Hauptidentität, während sich die reale Person immer mehr entfremdet fühlt.
SYNC ist eine digitale Therapie, die dabei hilft, diese innere Spaltung zwischen dem echten Selbst und der perfekten digitalen Präsenz zu überwinden. Die Nutzer:innen reflektieren in Gesprächen mit einer therapeutischen KI ihre Gefühle und Zweifel und lernen, das digitale und „bessere“ Ich als neue dominante Identität anzunehmen.
Unser Projekt ist eine spekulative Vision der Zukunft digitaler Identität, eine Einladung zum Nachdenken über Menschlichkeit, Kontrolle und das „Digital Me“.
In the year 2044, an AI named Luna takes over the complete digital self-representation of many people. It writes posts, creates videos, comments, all based on individual data profiles. The digital self becomes the primary identity, while the real person increasingly feels alienated.
SYNC is a digital therapy designed to help overcome this inner divide between the true self and the perfect digital presence. In conversations with a therapeutically trained AI, users reflect on their feelings and doubts and learn to accept the digital and “better” self as their new dominant identity.
Our project is a speculative vision of the future of digital identity, an invitation to reflect on humanity, control, and the “Digital Me.”