Putting the future into perspective

Discusses the RSA's Design Directions award scheme and its incorporation of projects using design to explore concepts such as 'Intelligent Infrastructure Systems' and 'Horizon Scanning', which require long-term thinking. The author argues that nature and non-Western cultures provide suitable areas for inspiration. He discusses the Horizon Scanning Centre's 'Intelligent Infrastructure Futures Towards 2055' project, which looks at ways to bring 'intelligence' to transport, telecommunications and utility infrastructures in the UK, taking into account 60 'drivers' of change. He notes the association of technology with "design-led futures" and argues that some designers' faith in technology to deliver good is sometimes misplaced, citing the example of products and services related to the ageing community that ignore the wishes of those they are designed to help. The author describes Michael Smart's winning entry in the RSA Design Directions 2005/2006 - Horizon Scanning competition, and Maria Araya, Shajay Bhooshan and James Wayrton's winning entry in the RSA Design Directions 2005/2006 - Design for Debate competition, and concludes that design to transform working practices is more important than that which focuses solely on technology.