Design Fiction is very contemporary and tends to mix speculative objects, “diegetic prototypes,” mockups, group activities, futurist scenarios, drawings, animations, videos, interactions, and vaguely political “critical design” put-ons. Design Fiction has never been a linear, narrative, literary effort at fiction.
*The role of writing in design-fiction is pretty much like tech-writing for other kinds of industrial-design efforts. It’s supportive rather than central.
*The gray eminences of design-fiction are undoubtedly Tony Dunne and Fiona Raby of the Royal College of Art. They never write fiction. They write books, teach, and do installations.
“Dunne & Raby use design as a medium to stimulate discussion and debate amongst designers, industry and the public about the social, cultural and ethical implications of current and emerging
technologies.” And boy, do they ever.