Language of instruction

中文

Current course fees

20,410

Location

Shanghai

X ACADEMY
Global Explorer Summit
-


2024.07.25

Major Course X-Core

Speculation and Future-Driven Design

Speculative Design and Futuristic Design

COURSE INTRO

Course Introduction 01

COURSE INTRO

Course Introduction 01

Can life be artificially designed? What new types of crimes might future technology lead to? How can potential threats be prevented through design? If we are parasitized by technology, will it arouse human protection of native organs? In this era of uncertainty and emerging crises, design needs to break out of the narrow scope of problem solving and empower the future. And speculative design, using design as a carrier and speculation as the core, will lead us to re-examine reality, challenge conventions, pose critical questions, provoke social reflection, and explore endless possibilities for the future. The 'DesignX Speculative and Future-Driven Design' course is committed to cultivating a new generation of interdisciplinary designers with great creativity, speculative ability, and futurist spirit. Based on inspiring case analyses, you will systematically learn the core theories and methods of speculative design and future studies, such as future wheels, scenario construction, and more. We will also guide you to select social topics of interest, apply a multidisciplinary perspective (political, economic, technological, environmental, social) and systematic thinking, and speculate on their future trends by constructing a timeline of future events. Based on the future scenarios you construct, you will use your imagination and critical thinking to design corresponding products, experiences, or systems to reveal or solve potential future issues.

Can life be artificially designed? What new types of crimes might future technology lead to? How can potential threats be prevented through design? If we are parasitized by technology, will it arouse human protection of native organs? In this era of uncertainty and emerging crises, design needs to break out of the narrow scope of problem solving and empower the future. And speculative design, using design as a carrier and speculation as the core, will lead us to re-examine reality, challenge conventions, pose critical questions, provoke social reflection, and explore endless possibilities for the future. The 'DesignX Speculative and Future-Driven Design' course is committed to cultivating a new generation of interdisciplinary designers with great creativity, speculative ability, and futurist spirit. Based on inspiring case analyses, you will systematically learn the core theories and methods of speculative design and future studies, such as future wheels, scenario construction, and more. We will also guide you to select social topics of interest, apply a multidisciplinary perspective (political, economic, technological, environmental, social) and systematic thinking, and speculate on their future trends by constructing a timeline of future events. Based on the future scenarios you construct, you will use your imagination and critical thinking to design corresponding products, experiences, or systems to reveal or solve potential future issues.

COURSE OUTCOME

Course Outcome 02

COURSE OUTCOME

Course Outcome 02

Based on the final design, choose a narrative and medium (3D model, animation, curation, film) that best fits as the outcome of your final project.


*The type and content of the final output is subject to the products created by explorers after participating in the X-Capstone project

Based on the final design, choose a narrative and medium (3D model, animation, curation, film) that best fits as the outcome of your final project.


*The type and content of the final output is subject to the products created by explorers after participating in the X-Capstone project

COURSE CONTENTS

Course Contents 03

COURSE CONTENTS

Course Contents 03

Speculative design; critical design; creative storytelling and expression; futurology; design strategy and insight; design fiction; interdisciplinary design method construction; problem research and solution output; artificial intelligence generation and creation; 3D modeling and rendering; curation methods and tools for physical and virtual spaces

Speculative design; critical design; creative storytelling and expression; futurology; design strategy and insight; design fiction; interdisciplinary design method construction; problem research and solution output; artificial intelligence generation and creation; 3D modeling and rendering; curation methods and tools for physical and virtual spaces

PREREQUISITES

Prerequisites 04

PREREQUISITES

Prerequisites 04

With a futuristic spirit, interested in interdisciplinary research and creation; not satisfied with commercialized design, interested in expanding the possibilities and future of design.

With a futuristic spirit, interested in interdisciplinary research and creation; not satisfied with commercialized design, interested in expanding the possibilities and future of design.

"What XA has brought to me, the improvement of CS literacy goes without saying, but what I am more grateful for is being able to meet the top and most outstanding peers of my age. I have seen living MIT, CIT students, consulted TAs who can do nothing but debug, and also gained a bunch of board game friends. Perhaps saying that my dream is to change the world will be laughed at by people, but XA has given me the confidence to turn my dreams into reality."

This road is long, and the places to go are filled with poetry and ideals. The tears and sweat left behind yesterday make me more tenacious and courageous now. This is what XA has taught me: we can always be a little braver."

Haiyi Jin Explorer
Fudan University

"What XA has brought to me, the improvement of CS literacy goes without saying, but what I am more grateful for is being able to meet the top and most outstanding peers of my age. I have seen living MIT, CIT students, consulted TAs who can do nothing but debug, and also gained a bunch of board game friends. Perhaps saying that my dream is to change the world will be laughed at by people, but XA has given me the confidence to turn my dreams into reality."

This road is long, and the places to go are filled with poetry and ideals. The tears and sweat left behind yesterday make me more tenacious and courageous now. This is what XA has taught me: we can always be a little braver."

Haiyi Jin Explorer
Fudan University

"What XA has brought to me, the improvement of CS literacy goes without saying, but what I am more grateful for is being able to meet the top and most outstanding peers of my age. I have seen living MIT, CIT students, consulted TAs who can do nothing but debug, and also gained a bunch of board game friends. Perhaps saying that my dream is to change the world will be laughed at by people, but XA has given me the confidence to turn my dreams into reality."

This road is long, and the places to go are filled with poetry and ideals. The tears and sweat left behind yesterday make me more tenacious and courageous now. This is what XA has taught me: we can always be a little braver."

Haiyi Jin Explorer
Fudan University

MENTORS

Previous Course Mentors 05

MENTORS

Previous Course Mentors 05

Yiwen Zeng

PhD student in Design Theory and Practice, China Academy of Art

Course Instructor for East-West Comparative Design at Central Academy of Fine Arts

Curator, Design Theory and Practice Scholar, Designer


Designer, Researcher, Curator, PhD in Design Theory and Practice from China Academy of Art, Course Instructor for East-West Comparative Design at Central Academy of Fine Arts. Master of Design Interaction from Royal College of Art, mentored by the foundational figure of speculative design, Anthony Dunne. Main research focuses on contemporary design perspectives, including speculative design, critical design, fictional design, and science fiction narrative design. The core of the creation is to 'go beyond reality to probe the truth', discussing humanity and social issues, using the cultural and regional aspects of the East to provide different social perspectives, creating new concepts of time through research and teaching for art creation. Research papers selected for Cumulus 2023 Forum and Practice University Design Report 2022 Forum. Selected for C-Lab residency CREATORS PLAN program in 2023.

Yiwen Zeng

PhD student in Design Theory and Practice, China Academy of Art

Course Instructor for East-West Comparative Design at Central Academy of Fine Arts

Curator, Design Theory and Practice Scholar, Designer


Designer, Researcher, Curator, PhD in Design Theory and Practice from China Academy of Art, Course Instructor for East-West Comparative Design at Central Academy of Fine Arts. Master of Design Interaction from Royal College of Art, mentored by the foundational figure of speculative design, Anthony Dunne. Main research focuses on contemporary design perspectives, including speculative design, critical design, fictional design, and science fiction narrative design. The core of the creation is to 'go beyond reality to probe the truth', discussing humanity and social issues, using the cultural and regional aspects of the East to provide different social perspectives, creating new concepts of time through research and teaching for art creation. Research papers selected for Cumulus 2023 Forum and Practice University Design Report 2022 Forum. Selected for C-Lab residency CREATORS PLAN program in 2023.

ACADEMIC LEADS

Previous Course TAs 06

ACADEMIC LEADS

Previous Course TAs 06

Dong Xinzhu

Emerson College, major in Media Arts Production, minor in Philosophy


Emerson College, major in Media Arts Production, minor in Philosophy. Previously awarded the 3rd prize in the 2020 Linguistics Olympiad Open Round Individual and 2nd prize in Team category, as well as achieving Top 10% in 2020 CTB Global Competition and National Honor Mention. High school graduation project Capstone focused on sustainable development of clothing and its impact on humans and the environment. Passionate about exploring the potential between images and different media, as well as the connection between philosophy and science.



Dong Xinzhu

Emerson College, major in Media Arts Production, minor in Philosophy


Emerson College, major in Media Arts Production, minor in Philosophy. Previously awarded the 3rd prize in the 2020 Linguistics Olympiad Open Round Individual and 2nd prize in Team category, as well as achieving Top 10% in 2020 CTB Global Competition and National Honor Mention. High school graduation project Capstone focused on sustainable development of clothing and its impact on humans and the environment. Passionate about exploring the potential between images and different media, as well as the connection between philosophy and science.



Language of instruction

中文

Current course fees

20,410

Location

Shanghai

X ACADEMY
Global Explorer Summit
-


2024.07.25

Location

Shanghai

Language of instruction

中文

Current course fees

20,410

X ACADEMY
Global Explorer Summit
-


2024.07.25

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the student-teacher ratio in the major courses?

In each year's X ACADEMY summer program, the ratio of mentors to explorers is 1:5, with 1-2 mentors and 2-5 course assistants (academic leaders) in each course. Compared to traditional large classes, you will have more abundant opportunities for communication and learning.

I heard that the major courses of X ACADEMY are very hardcore. Will I fall behind when the course starts?

Can I only study one major course at X ACADEMY?

© 2024 | Shanghai Des Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in 2016. | 沪ICP备2021004001号-6

OUR CIVILIZATION WAS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. OUR CIVILIZATION IS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY IS THE GLORY OF HUMAN AMBITION AND ACHIEVEMENT, THE SPEARHEAD OF PROGRESS, AND THE REALIZATION OF OUR POTENTIAL. FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, WE PROPERLY GLORIFIED THIS – UNTIL RECENTLY. WE, AT X ACADEMY, ARE HERE TO REVITALIZE THAT SPIRIT. TO US, THE FUTURE IS A CANVAS OF VAST POSSIBILITY, PAINTED WITH THE BRUSHES OF INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, AND OPTIMISM. WE BELIEVE IN A FUTURE WHERE TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO BE THE BACKBONE OF ADVANCEMENT, NOT JUST IN MATERIAL TERMS BUT AS A MEANS TO ELEVATE HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND CONSCIOUSNESS. WE ARE THE FUTURE OPTIMISTS, THE DREAMERS, THE MAKERS, AND THE DOERS. WE STAND READY TO COLLABORATE, TO INNOVATE, AND TO BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW WITH YOU. JOIN US, AS WE EMBARK ON THIS JOURNEY TO IGNITE THE FLAMES OF PROGRESS AND TO CHERISH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE. IT IS TIME, ONCE AGAIN, TO RAISE THE TECHNOLOGY FLAG. IT IS TIME TO BE TECHNO-OPTIMISTS. WITH X ACADEMY, LET'S BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOGETHER.

© 2024 | Shanghai Des Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in 2016. |

沪ICP备2021004001号-6

OUR CIVILIZATION WAS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. OUR CIVILIZATION IS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY IS THE GLORY OF HUMAN AMBITION AND ACHIEVEMENT, THE SPEARHEAD OF PROGRESS, AND THE REALIZATION OF OUR POTENTIAL. FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, WE PROPERLY GLORIFIED THIS – UNTIL RECENTLY. WE, AT X ACADEMY, ARE HERE TO REVITALIZE THAT SPIRIT. TO US, THE FUTURE IS A CANVAS OF VAST POSSIBILITY, PAINTED WITH THE BRUSHES OF INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, AND OPTIMISM. WE BELIEVE IN A FUTURE WHERE TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO BE THE BACKBONE OF ADVANCEMENT, NOT JUST IN MATERIAL TERMS BUT AS A MEANS TO ELEVATE HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND CONSCIOUSNESS. WE ARE THE FUTURE OPTIMISTS, THE DREAMERS, THE MAKERS, AND THE DOERS. WE STAND READY TO COLLABORATE, TO INNOVATE, AND TO BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW WITH YOU. JOIN US, AS WE EMBARK ON THIS JOURNEY TO IGNITE THE FLAMES OF PROGRESS AND TO CHERISH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE. IT IS TIME, ONCE AGAIN, TO RAISE THE TECHNOLOGY FLAG. IT IS TIME TO BE TECHNO-OPTIMISTS. WITH X ACADEMY, LET'S BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOGETHER.

© 2024 | Shanghai Des Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in 2016. |

沪ICP备2021004001号-6

OUR CIVILIZATION WAS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. OUR CIVILIZATION IS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY IS THE GLORY OF HUMAN AMBITION AND ACHIEVEMENT, THE SPEARHEAD OF PROGRESS, AND THE REALIZATION OF OUR POTENTIAL. FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, WE PROPERLY GLORIFIED THIS – UNTIL RECENTLY. WE, AT X ACADEMY, ARE HERE TO REVITALIZE THAT SPIRIT. TO US, THE FUTURE IS A CANVAS OF VAST POSSIBILITY, PAINTED WITH THE BRUSHES OF INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, AND OPTIMISM. WE BELIEVE IN A FUTURE WHERE TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO BE THE BACKBONE OF ADVANCEMENT, NOT JUST IN MATERIAL TERMS BUT AS A MEANS TO ELEVATE HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND CONSCIOUSNESS. WE ARE THE FUTURE OPTIMISTS, THE DREAMERS, THE MAKERS, AND THE DOERS. WE STAND READY TO COLLABORATE, TO INNOVATE, AND TO BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW WITH YOU. JOIN US, AS WE EMBARK ON THIS JOURNEY TO IGNITE THE FLAMES OF PROGRESS AND TO CHERISH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE. IT IS TIME, ONCE AGAIN, TO RAISE THE TECHNOLOGY FLAG. IT IS TIME TO BE TECHNO-OPTIMISTS. WITH X ACADEMY, LET'S BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOGETHER.