Lunchtime Talks are a series of informal presentations at Watershed's Pervasive Media Studio. They normally take place at 13:00 on a Friday, are free and are open to everybody who is interested in what they do. Come along, bring a sandwich, and get to know more about the Studio community, current and up-coming projects, or residents' work.

'Design fiction' describes ways of using storytelling techniques, especially in the form of video, to make speculative design ideas feel real. Sam Kinsley offers some insight into uses of design fiction drawing on his extensive research into the relationship between technology development, time consciousness and future prediction.

The talk explores how technology designers employ design fictions as a form of prototyping but also highlights how these ideas frequently bleed into cinema and popular fiction. There are established links between technology companies and film studios, and there is a long history of 'science advisors' in Hollywood, but more recently there has also been a growth in 'vernacular' video depictions of future technology. As computer scientist Paul Dourish asserts: 'science fiction does not merely anticipate but actively shapes technological futures through its effect on the collective imagination'. This talk offers examples of 'design fictions' and works through some ideas about how design fictions can be created and how they may be useful to experimenting with pervasive media.

After the talk, you can stay at the Studio for the afternoon to continue the conversation or work on your own projects. The Studio provides chairs, tables, wireless and a great space. You bring what you need to work with (laptop/mobile). The open afternoons close at 17:00, usually with a trip to the Café/Bar.

The Pervasive Media Studio is now located within the Watershed building. Let us know if you'd like a tour of the new space and we'll be happy to show you around! Send an email to jason@pmstudio.co.uk