A case for afrofuturism: Inclusive futures through speculative design

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Bachelor's thesis
Ask about the availability of the thesis by sending email to the Aalto University Learning Centre oppimiskeskus@aalto.fi

Authors

Date

2025-12-16

Department

Major/Subject

Design

Mcode

Degree programme

Bachelor's Programme in Design
Muotoilun kandidaattiohjelma

Language

en

Pages

48

Series

Abstract

Speculative design (SD), as a form of discursive design (DD), provides a framework for critical reflection on possible implications of emerging technologies and the future scenarios that may result from their trajectories. Despite offering a structured method for critical examination, SD is not without flaws and faces criticisms of not being inclusive and confining the practice to elitists and practitioners within gallery spaces, further excluding marginalized communities from meaningful engagement with design. Afrofuturism, as a practical design lens, centers black/African experiences and explores liberatory ideologies involving class, gender, technology, and politics. By offering methods similar to SD, Afrofuturism can mitigate SD’s inadequacies for a more inclusive approach to imagining futures. The primary aim of this thesis is to understand how Afrofuturism aligns with SD practices beyond their technocultural similarities. In addition, this study also investigates how Afrofuturist creatives challenge criticisms of SD through practice. Finally, it explores how Afrofuturist creatives still face institutional and societal barriers and how those challenges impact the reception of their work and the creatives themselves. The literature review provides a foundation for understanding SD, its objectives and criticisms, and outlines the origins of Afrofuturism and the value it is positioned to contribute towards increasing inclusivity in design. The primary research methodology employed in this thesis included semi-structured interviews with Afrofuturist creatives from five countries and thematic analysis of the data. The findings of this research identify intentional practices of Afrofuturist creatives that promote inclusive futures while paying homage to their lineages. The key themes from the interview analysis reveal motivation and purpose in producing work that is poised to alleviate criticisms of elitism in SD. A categorization of challenges experienced by half of the interviewees exposes institutional biases and the impact of Eurocentrism on their work and the audience's ability to engage more meaningfully with SD through Afrofuturism. Understanding the potential positive impact of Afrofuturist methods and the challenges faced by creatives in implementing them allows for the ideation of more specific and intentional interventions in SD practices to foster a more inclusive approach for speculative design.

Description

Supervisor

Chun, Namkyu

Thesis advisor

Kollmann, Talvikki

Keywords

speculative design, discursive design, afrofuturism, inclusive futures

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Citation

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202512239544

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[kand] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS