An Innovation Workshop for DSTL

Developing future fictions for Dstl

Dstl wanted to demonstrate the value of futures insights internally by bringing to life some disruptive futures concepts around how technology can revolutionise the human-information relationship. Additionally, they wanted to create a “Museum of the Future” to act as a showcase for their capability in bringing concepts to life.  reehouse worked in partnership with PA Consulting to support this.

What we did

We worked with a number of small suppliers to create a range of artefacts including:

• A video in the style of a reconstructive drama to bring to life how a popular household technology might develop over time, what it might be capable of and what the possible implications could be

• An augmented reality app with a model of a GDUK Scout tank showing its potential development from today to 2030+ and how it could be adapted to respond to future threats. The app allows the user to re-size the Scout and ‘place’ it in the environment the user has in front of them, enabling the user to test the tank in different environments.

• An interactive e-book: a series of interactive novellas where the reader can customise the story. The idea applied the idea of interactive storytelling to defence-relevant conceptualisations of the future. Enabling the reader to choose various scenarios provided unique insights into the perspectives of different parties.

• Thought-provoking artefacts: These contained a combination of physical kits, instructional media for the fictional user, and a narrative backstory. Their intended use was as thought-provocations in exhibitions and speculative workshops to help people envisage a future world and consider the implications, working with facilitators to draw out key conclusions.

• Capturing action from a video game: A video was produced by filming action within the virtual world, Second Life, using artefacts and environments, often future worlds, created by the game’s users. 

Outcome

The MoD were very pleased with the outcome of the project noting its value in helping them make better decisions. The project was awarded Dstl Futures “Project of the Year”.