We are passionate about growing a brave, connected and inclusive community on foresight & futures.
What is Speculative Futures + Speculative Design?
The practice of creating concepts & prototypes pulled from visions of the future in order to reimagine and transform the systems, experiences, processes, services, products, and objects that define our dominant reality. TSFX
The use of prototype objects that tell stories about possible near futures.
Julian Bleecker
Conjecture is as good as knowledge, where futuristic and alternative scenarios convey ideas, and where the goal is to emphasise implications of “mindless” decisions for mankind.
Dunne and Raby
According to Dunne and Raby, designers shouldn’t just address issues of today, but also take a look into the future and ask, “How can we address future challenges with design?”
Creating interactions with "the future," learn from those interactions, and apply those learnings to your life and work.
IFTF
What we do
Our Purpose
Foster a culture of foresight and innovation in Auckland.
Development and visibility of the futures field across the country.
Connecting, supporting, and amplifying existing efforts.
Building a more just, equitable, and sustainable Aotearoa New Zealand for future generations.
How we work
Our Practice
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Building a community of practice
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Embracing Te Ao Māori, weaving into futures thinking
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Exploring, co-creating and imagining multiple futures
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Creating brave spaces to nurture creativity & push boundaries
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Sharing capability and resource
Who we are
Meet the Team
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Victoria Mulligan
CO-FOUNDER + DIRECTOR
Victoria is a builder of things - teams, strategies, services and futures - and uses strategic foresight and participatory futures tools to create more resilient and adaptive strategies, and purposeful cultures. She is the creator of the Aotearoa Futures Network Map, Co-Founder and Director of Speculative Futures Auckland. She is a member of the Global Futures Society and a regular contributor to consumer and academic publications worldwide. -
Jade Tang-Taylor
CO-FOUNDER + DIRECTOR
Jade is a Designer, Facilitator, Innovator, Collaborator & Educator, and deeply passionate about Co-Designing Better Futures. Currently, Jade wears a few hats; Innovation Advisor & Facilitator at academyEX, Tech Futures Lab, Fractional Director of ThinkPlace and Co-Founder & Director of Speculative Design Futures Chapter in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland / Aotearoa New Zealand. -
Alexanda Whitcombe
FUTURES FRIEND
Descendant of Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi tribe in Whanganui New Zealand and Lakepa village in Niue. Alex is a senior design strategist for The Cause Collective, Healthy Families South Auckland, and project director of Kai Innovators. He is passionate about inter-generational impact amongst social issues that face New Zealand - Education, Entrepreneurship, Urban Development and Environment. -
Jo Mitchell
FUTURES FRIEND
Jo Mitchell is experienced at working in the space where insights, strategy and lived experiences collide. She uses a human-centered design approach to help organizations develop and implement impactful strategies. Her particular areas of expertise are in marketing, branding, communications and diversity, equity and inclusion. As Tangata Tiriti, Jo is interested in the connection between futures thinking, equity-centered design and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the implications of this in her ways of working. -
Jess Holdaway
Jess is a designer, creator and organiser. Using the tools of co-design, graphic design, photography, Jess visualises and facilitates stories for impact. Deeply curious about what is possible when we gather together, Jess sees new ideas and connections everywhere. She is a member of Network Waitangi Whangarei, Co-founder of social enterprise FRANK Stationery, Co-founder of Embodied Dance Experiment and more.