Design Futures 2023

What You Don't See
by Jessica Eboreime, Mariam Sudzhadinova, Michelle Lauriste, Leopold Tomaschek and Marek Ševčík.

Welcome to a glimpse of the Helsink region in the year 2048, as imagined by 5 minds from Aalto University. In this scenario, we delve into the intricate world of fashion amidst the ever-pressing issue of climate change, shedding light on the invisible aspects and envisioning their profound impact on the evolution of society. Through a month-long study, we've unraveled the forces propelling change in these fields, culminating in a short film that paints a vivid picture of our potential future. The short movie you're about to watch presents the outcome of our study: a possible future of our Environment that we all might need to adapt to.

Beyond BabyBox: Finland 2048
by Aleksandr (Sasha) Tikachev, Tiina Otala, Margo Gainska, Nicole (Nici) Kajander, Hitomi Asaka.

The envisioned future scenario for 2048 is centered around the archetype of "Transformation" – a critical utopia. In this future, both the political and economic landscapes have undergone a profound shift, transitioning away from the austerity period through growing agency of grassroots politics towards a society that prioritizes robust social welfare services. Open governance, alternative economic models, collective agencies, and social technology have gained prominence. Our focal point in this future scenario is the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Baby Box, a symbolic embodiment of the Finnish social welfare system and an emergence of public clothing phenomena.

The media proudly highlights the restoration of these progressive initiatives. However, amidst the positive developments, there are certain challenges that persist. Feelings of uncertainty and conservative nostalgia contribute to mental stress among individuals. Additionally, the issue of global warming remains a pressing concern. By portraying the striving and struggle of people through this transformative period, the narrative emphasizes that an absolute utopia does not exist. Instead, it underscores the resilience of humanity and the strength of community in adapting to and overcoming hardships, ultimately leading to a positive and transformative change.

PrintItYourself
by Owein Iveson, Yuzu Nakamura, Mathilda Hahn, Diana Lisitsa.

Tallinn and Helsinki in 2049, there is a rise of a makerspace culture in Helsinki, especially around the new Oodi 2.0. Exa starts her journey in Tallinn and rides the new hyperloop to Helsinki. You can now buy fashion online with a link, companies now have online fashion collections. These clothes are perfectly sized using a fitting suit which means the clothes are perfectly sized with no production waste. With this link you can go to makerspaces and use fashion fabricators which print your clothes such as Oodi 2.0. However, there are personal fashion fabricators which people are protesting about as people are printing too much and losing the printing community. 

Hyper Fast fashion
by Liselotte Frederique Molin (Lilo Molin), Marta Ligaj, Natasa Hodosi, Inga Turska, Soyoung Park.

In 2048, the fashion industry is marked by two contrasting trends: the scarcity and luxury of vintage clothing and the rise of Shine's single-use biodegradable fashion. Vintage fashion becomes a symbol of personal style and sustainability, with exclusive boutiques catering to the demand for unique and timeless garments. Shein's biodegradable clothing sparks both excitement and controversy, as it offers affordable and trendy options while raising concerns about overconsumption and disposability. They make trends so fast that human design can’t catch up having AI generated fashion as there will be not 2-4 season but 52 seasons a year. The fashion world faces the challenge of finding a balance between luxury, sustainability, and responsible consumption. 

Potentia (Smart underwear designed for women)
by Saara Abdi, Elisabeth Arno, Katarina Blind, Wen Ouyang, Satu Paavonsalo.

In 2048, the focus on women's healthcare has skyrocketed, with a higher emphasis on prevention through daily tracking. This shift has empowered women to take control of their bodies, providing them with more insight into their health and reducing their risk of dying from breast or ovarian cancer. Underwear is no longer designed for the male gaze but instead for female empowerment, and medical research and product design are now also highly focused on women.

This newfound focus on women's health has also presented a lucrative business opportunity, with women becoming a more catered-to consumer group. Specific sensors are now normalized to accurately track cycles, screen for cancer, and monitor pregnancy, with stats easily accessible on apps that can be forwarded to healthcare providers. This normalization of women's health topics has led to a reduction in healthcare-related costs as preventive treatments become more prevalent. However, accessibility remains a concern as not everyone can afford tech-enabled underwear.

As women become more aware of what's happening in their bodies, they seek medical help in time to address alarming changes in their bodily functions. Advances in fertility treatments, genetic testing, and reproductive medicine have also provided improved options for family planning and early detection of genetic disorders. Women no longer have to feel ashamed of their bodily functions. However, fast-fashion brands that don't incorporate tech in their clothes may sell less.

Moving forward, there will be more collaboration and competition within the women's health tech industry, with government support likely to evolve the healthcare system to make use of health tech and reinforce policies on data collection and safety. The growing concern on negative mental health effects of health monitors also calls for social change driving innovation. As women become more conscious consumers, they start investing in products that benefit them, pushing current companies to focus more on FemTech development. While there are still accessibility challenges, the increasing emphasis on women's health signals a bright future for female empowerment in the healthcare industry.

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