Designing Systems in a Fine-Grained and Inclusive Way, by Integrating Service Design within Futures Studies and Foresight

Abstract

This paper evaluates the human-centric, systemic and near future-driven components of Service Design to understand how they can work within a Future Studies and Foresight (FSF) framework. Expanding on empirical evidence gathered from a case study with renters and shareowners in Danish cooperative housing associations (Andelsboligforeningen), the paper looks at how the application of Service Design – within Future Studies and Foresight (FSF, hereafter) – can facilitate a fine-grained and inclusive rebuilding of our socio-technical systems in a way that allows end-users to understand and engage with them more productively. The paper provides a theoretical reflection on the gestalt emerging from bridging Service Design and FSF and how this can inspire and establish strategic viewpoints on how to co-design complex systems embedded in different socio-technical dimensions.