Setsuzoku

Design Fiction Magazine

Project Goals

The goal of this project was to research the loneliness epidemic in Japan, understand the roots and themes of it, and create a “possible future” in Japan.

My Work

I decided to concentrate on the pattern of lack of connection and intimacy in Japan, where there is a constant decline in romantic relationships, decline in the birth rate, and overall lack of interaction. Therefore I came up with the novum of “A Japan where people rely on products to communicate with each other”, and this magazine, from the future of March 2091, serves as an artefact of this future, and gives a preview and context as to what life is like in this world, and the consequences due to relying on technology and products for connection.

Details

The articles and advertisements show the consequences of this world, rather than directly pin pointing the exact technology and products that were created. For example, an interview of a successful relationship thanks to the help of the “iThink”, a product that helps people communicate with each other. As well as the advertisement for 7-eleven, showing a drink that does not exist, Fiducia, which is an herb discovered in the future that gives people the same confidence and socializing level as alcohol does. I wanted to be less direct about the exact “solutions” created in this time, and put more detail into the circumstances that occurred because of said products.