Presented at: Global Chinese Industrial Design Conference 2005, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, November 2005 Designing Tomorrow: A Methodology for Future Orientated Product Design Martyn Evans* & Simon Sommerville** Keywords: design forecasting, futures, design activity, scenario planning Abstract Design forecasting approaches supplement the activities of the product designer by providing a framework for developing, understanding and communicating future scenarios. The paper explores the approaches of design forecasting and the methods designers employ to develop future scenarios. These insights are utilised within the design process, to inform, validate and endorse design decisions. A forecasting model developed by the authors is presented and its application to product design discussed. Analogies between the design process and forecasting activities are considered. Time specific, client focussed, user aware design processes are compared to client led, user focussed, time flexible forecasting activities. This interrelationship is explored and in particular how changes to ‘inputs’ of these processes can affect the focus of these activities. Introduction In today’s rapidly changing world, many people believe that it is becoming almost impossible to plan for the future. We read everywhere about rapid and constant change and, therefore, the increasing unpredictably of the future. The common feature is that the future is uncertain. This is something that there is agreement. This does not mean that we should not attempt to prepare for the future, on the contrary, we should engage fully with activities that allow us to prepare for the non-preparable. Through this engagement we may be able to identify and develop strategies that allow organisations to consider how they may be an integral element of such futures (Coughlan & Prokopoff, 2004; Lindgren & Bandhold, 2003). Designers are essential stakeholders in forecasting process as they envision the products and services that will populate our future. As such, they are essential contributors to the future. Their research, development and communication activities can assist in the formulation of organisational strategy and provides a rich resource when considering approaches to the future, and what it might hold. There are a number of identified attitudes to the future, and these are adopted by organisations during strategy development (Didsbury 1996): - Providential/Fatalistic: what will be will be - Conventional: tomorrow will be much like today - Pessimism: decline from past ‘Golden Age’