We explore futures, chart the unexpected and transform opportunities into new and tangible forms
At the Near Future Laboratory, our goal is to understand how imaginations and hypothesis become materialized to swerve the present into new, more habitable near future worlds. We work from a variety of conceptual and creative platforms to help explicate context and explore future states, including various calibers of research — from the field to the desk to the lab bench and everything in between.
This is about getting up and out, away from familiar surroundings to pose questions, study-up on specific topics, make inquiries, gather together the perspectives of topic opinionators, non-experts and normal human beings.
We use old-fashioned and new-fangled research protocols to evolve research questions, develop thought-provoking perspectives, cue insights — without the time of traveling and rummaging around back alleys and sitting in people's homes.
This is the platform best suited for taking a sideways glancing blow at a set of open issues, exploring unknown unknowns, working through turbulent alternatives, contesting the status quo and walking down strategic alternatives.
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too; Or — when you've convinced yourself you are right — the best thing you can do is ask someone, "is this insane?", especially when you are convinced you are right.
Whispering is about discussions. On the phone or face-to-face, it's a good and solid conversation in which we bring new insights and fresh perspectives on clients problems. Said differently, what you get is a global picture of unevenly distributed futures.
Touching, feeling and experiencing nascent concepts help guide decision making. Through fast prototyped ideas, we can help provoke new insights, help evaluate new concepts and offer fresh perspectives on your visions, objectives or concerns.
Near Future Laboratory is a thinking, making, design, development and research practice based in California and Europe
Our goal is to understand how imaginations and hypothesis become materialized to swerve the present into new, more habitable near future worlds. Our practice involves working closely with creative, thoughtful experts within various domains of work depending on the needs of any particular project. Our associations with a wide network of well-respected and accomplished practitioners makes it possible to work from concept development to construction of unique digital designs.
Julian Bleecker (PhD) is a designer, engineer and photographer focused on creating speculative designed objects, hardware and software.
Nick Foster (MA RCA) is a post-discipline designer with over fifteen years experience in the design industry as an engineer and industrial designer.
Fabien Girardin (PhD) is a researcher, engineer and creator active in the domains of user experience and data science.
Nicolas Nova (PhD) is a researcher, ethnographer and writer interested in creating speculative objects about the near future.
