Avenear Framework
The Avenear Framework was developed to help us apply a consistent and rigorous innovation lens to our projects. It blends together the best of design, futures, and systems thinking to unlock foresight-driven systems innovation.
understand Context & Foundations
We start all of our projects by taking the time to map out the components, relationships, and history of the theme of investigation. This helps us collectively sense-make about shortcomings and opportunities for change. It also aids in highlighting inhibitors and levers of change as well as the long-term historical patterns and/or precedents that will shape its future.
— Systems mapping
— Historical analysis
— Design research
assess Change & Implications
Next, we take a look at the ways in which the world is changing. What’s applying pressure to the system? More broadly speaking, what type of changes are on the horizon and what critical trends are at play? This phase of work is used to tease out the implications of current ripples of change and lays the stage for the next phase of work — future explorations.
— Trend analysis
— Implication mapping
— System disruptions
explore Possibilities & Speculations
Enter the creative explorations. In this phase of work, we task ourselves with exploring multiple possibilities for a given theme/industry. At Avenear our focus is not on forecasting, predictions, or heavy strategic risk-mitigation approaches but rather on imaginative, creative, and inspiring outlooks for the futures. We therefore focus our world building efforts around the human experience especially as it pertains to products, services, and experiences.
— Speculative design
— Creative futures
— Opportunity mapping
define Design & Strategy
To cap off a project, we take what we’ve learned from our futures research and speculative design exercises to inform a present-day design solution. We create prototypes, exhibits, artifacts, and other materials to share/communicate our findings with others so that our future vision doesn’t die when the project ends.
— Concept development
— Futures exhibit or artifact
— Futures roadmap
Curious for more?
Reach out! We’d love to show you the ropes of how to apply the Avenear Approach to your own work to unlock radical new perspectives, ideas, and considerations for your space. We’ll keep it fun, promised.