Alex McDowell’s talk deeply resonated with me as a designer. He emphasised that world-building goes beyond crafting fictional settings, it’s about designing systems that help us understand and shape reality. His approach which blends history, technology, sustainability and interdisciplinary thinking feels especially relevant in today’s rapidly evolving world.
One of the most powerful takeaways was the role of storytelling in navigating uncertainty. Yuval Noah Harari’s quote highlighted how old narratives are breaking down, and new ones are needed to help us make sense of the future. I see this happening everywhere, from media to politics to technology. As designers, we don’t just create visuals, we help shape these narratives in ways that are both meaningful and responsible.
The Minority Report case study particularly stood out. It demonstrated how world-building can influence real-world innovation. The film’s futuristic technology like gesture-based interfaces ended up inspiring real-life advancements. This made me reflect on my own work: Am I just designing for aesthetics, or am I considering the long-term impact of my creations?
Mandala of Inquiry was another eye-opening concept. It reinforced the idea that storytelling isn’t about isolated ideas but about interconnected systems. He explored themes like ecology, culture, infrastructure, and the economy, showing how they all influence one another.
The floating city concept, for example, isn’t just a compelling visual it represents a potential response to climate change. This made me realise that world-building isn’t just an artistic process, it can offer practical solutions to real-world problems.
Another concept that intrigued me was psychogeography the idea that places are not just passive settings but actively shape human emotions and experiences. I see this in interactive spaces, where the way a place is structured influences how people engage with it.
The closing quote, the idea of destroying and rebuilding worlds left a lasting impression. Before something truly new can be created, outdated ways of thinking often needs to be broken down. Whether it’s challenging traditional design methods, rethinking storytelling structures, or questioning societal norms, destruction is often a necessary step in the innovation process.