Background
In an era where AI tools and information databases are increasingly abundant, science fiction writing is facing a systemic decline in imagination
Setting templates, plot generators, and automated writing tools have made the creative process more "efficient"—but also more monotonous—undermining authors' independent thinking and stylistic expression. Meanwhile, the growing gap between complex scientific theories and everyday reality makes it harder for readers to connect, while inspiration increasingly depends on rare moments or long-term life observation. Fill-in-the-blank writing, repetitive worldbuilding, and an overreliance on AI-generated content are pushing this once exploratory genre toward formulaic and uninspired narratives
The Decline of Imagination
Research
Intersection of sci-fiction writing and design
This research phase aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the science fiction writing process and explore the potential application of service design toolkits within it. Through interviews with real science fiction writers, the study systematically outlines the situations they face at different stages of writing. Additionally, by integrating methods such as Foresight Design, it analyzes design tools that can be adapted to the writing process.
The research adopts a combination of qualitative interviews and method mapping to identify the needs of creators at various writing stages. It also discovers that the writing process shares a high degree of structural similarity with the design process, providing a theoretical foundation for tool intervention.
This journey map visualizes the creative process of seven science fiction authors, highlighting key demands and challenges at each stage. By comparing these stages with the design process, we uncovered striking similarities—prompting us to explore how design toolkits could support and inspire novel writing.
What new possibilities arise when design thinking meets speculative storytelling?
Journey Map
Based on the research findings mentioned above, I have identified four key creative inspiration points in the writing process: establishing foundational settings/world-building, refining settings and world-building, constructing specific plotlines, and shaping character roles. Subsequently, I extensively reviewed and analyzed various Future Design or Foresight Design toolkits. I then mapped these toolkits to each of the aforementioned writing steps based on their usage, to help me conceive further solutions