Creative Professionals and Global Challenges Paul Rutten International Week Rotterdam University February 8th 2016

Research Centre on Creative Industries

Contents Present Issues and Concerns Global Challenges Starting and Reference Points for Change Tasks and Mission for Professionals – Computer Science & Software Development – Communications – Creative Media & Game Technologies – Communication & Multimedia Design

AGE OF UNCERTAINTY - PRESSING ISSUES AND CONCERNS -

Disruptive technologies

Climate Change

Political systems and citizenship

Short strategic windows for companies

Political violence and global migrations

Living in the big data era

Shifting cultural identities: who are we?

Laws derived and based on past experiences no longer apply

WHAT CAN WE DO?

A Clear-Enough Future Alternate Futures A Range of Futures ? True Ambiguity Strategic options for future of uncertainty Strategy and Uncertainty (Courtney et al 1997)

GLOBAL CHALLENGES

For Europe Grand Societal Challenges Health, aging and demographic changes Food security, sustainable agriculture Secure, healthy and clean energy supply Smart, green and integrated logistics Sustainable materials andresources Inclusive and innovative society Safe and secure society

STARTING POINTS FOR CHANGE AND INNOVATION

Circularity instead of Waste

Networks instead of Hierarchies

Collaboration instead of Competition

Sharing instead of Owning

Smart Objects instead of Deaf Material

Diversity instead of ethnocentrism

Experience instead of consumption

Value(s) instead of money

Nomads instead of Settlers

HOW CAN THESE CONCERNS AND CHANGES BE USED FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS?

WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM THE PROFESSIONALS OF THE FUTURE? Computer Science & Software Development Communications Creative Media & Game Technologies Communication & Multimedia Design

All CMI related professionals Computer Science & Software Development Communications Creative Media & Game Technologies Communication & Multimedia Design

Taeke de Jong (1992) Investigate and design the future “Some futures you can predict, others you have to design. Designing starts were the probable ends.”

Rittel en Webber (1973) Deal with wicked problems “To find the problem is thus the same thing as finding the solution; the problem can’t be defined until the solution has been found. The formulation of a wicked problem is the problem!”

Rutten (2014) Opportunities meet challenges Strive for succesfull application of new ideas Transform urgencies into opportunities Say goodbye to routines Explore off track routes Develop new concepts Investigate the future Explore new possibillities Develop and try out Design and make

BY WAY OF CONCLUSION

Deny Lasdun (architect) Motto: Suprise not please! “Our job is to give the client, on time and on cost, not what he wants, but what he never dreamed he wanted; and when he gets it, he recognises it as something he wanted all the time.”

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION! (HOPEFULLY)

ADDENDUM

Pierce geciteerd in Nigel Cross (2013) “Science investigates extant forms. Design initiates novel forms. A scientific hypothesis is not the same thing as a design hypothesis. A logical proposition is not to be mistaken for a design proposal. A speculative design cannot be determined logically, because the mode of reasoning involved is essentially abductive.