Developing DIVE, a design-led futures technique for SMEs

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Abstract

Futures techniques have long been used in large enterprises as designerly means to explore the future and guide innovation. In the automotive industry, for instance, the development of concept cars is a technique which has repeatedly proven its value. However, while big companies have broadly embraced futures techniques, small- and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) have lagged behind in applying them, largely because they are too resourceintensive and poorly suited to the SMEs’ needs and idiosyncrasies. To address this issue, we developed DIVE: Design, Innovation, Vision, and Exploration, a design-led futures technique for SMEs. Its development began with an inquiry into concept cars in the automotive industry and concept products and services in other industries. We then combined the insights derived from these design practices with elements of the existing techniques of critical design and design fiction into the creation of DIVE’s preliminary first
version, which was then applied and evaluated in two iterations with SMEs, resulting in DIVE’s alpha version. After both iterations in context, it seems that DIVE suits the SMEs because of its compact and inexpensive activities which emphasize making and storytelling. Although the results of these activities might be less flashy than concept cars, these simple prototypes and videos help SMEs internalize and share a clear image of a preferable future, commonly known as vision. Developing DIVE thus helped us explore how design can
support SMEs in envisioning the future in the context of innovation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the IASDR Conference RE: Research
EditorsC. Vogel, G. Muratovski
Place of PublicationCincinnati
PublisherIASDR
Pages770-787
Number of pages18
Publication statusPublished - 2017
EventIASDR 2017 the Seventh International Association of Societies of Design Research Conference: Re: Research - the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, Cincinnati, United States
Duration: 31 Oct 20173 Nov 2017
http://www.iasdr2017.com/

Conference

ConferenceIASDR 2017 the Seventh International Association of Societies of Design Research Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCincinnati
Period31/10/173/11/17
Internet address

Bibliographical note

Accepted author manuscript

Keywords

  • Design futures
  • concept cars
  • futures techniques
  • speculative futures
  • SMEs

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