Speculative Designer

At Quest Alliance we transform learning ecosystems through education technology, capacity building, and collaboration to build 21st-century skills for learners and facilitators.

We are a not-for-pro t trust that focuses on research-led innovation and advocacy in the eld of teaching and learning. We engage with educators, civil society, government institutions and corporate organizations to demonstrate and enable scalable and replicable solutions in school education and vocational training.

At Quest you will get the opportunity to apply your skills and contribute to addressing issues around quality education and skills training. The organization gives you the space to learn and grow in a fun and engaging environment . We have an eclectic group of people working at Quest drawn from diverse disciplines including Education, Technology, Design, Youth Development and Business.

About the role:

Quest Alliance is looking for a dynamic and creative Speculative Designer to join our Youth Futures Studio. The studio serves as an innovation lab, leveraging futures thinking, speculative design methodologies, design research and ethnography to empower young people in navigating a rapidly changing world of work and life.

The Speculative Designer will bring together research, design and storytelling to imagine alternative futures that are rooted in research insights to create immersive experiences, prototypes, and strategies that can act as a provocation for various stakeholders in education and skilling.

Speculative Design & Futures Thinking:

• Use speculative design methodologies to explore "what if" scenarios in youth development, education, and workforce readiness.
  

• Design artifacts, prototypes, and experiences that challenge existing assumptions and inspire innovative thinking.
  

• Translate complex research insights into engaging narratives, visuals, and future possibilities.
  

Research & Insight Generation:

• Support the studio team with research conceptualization, designing methodology and research tool, and data collection
  

• Collaborate with the team to identify trends, emerging technologies, and societal shifts that may impact young people
  

• Synthesize insights from qualitative and quantitative research to inform design processes and speculative outputs
  

• Support the team in facilitating workshops and co-creation sessions with young people to explore future scenarios and foster critical thinking.
  

Creative Prototyping & Storytelling:

• Develop physical and digital prototypes (e.g., objects, experiences, or simulations) that represent future scenarios for youth.
  

• Craft compelling narratives and visual materials that help stakeholders imagine alternative futures.
  

• Lead creative workshops with youth and partners to co-create future scenarios and concepts.
  

Documentation & Dissemination:

• Document the speculative design process and outcomes in visually compelling formats.
  

• Share learnings and outputs through internal and external communication channels, including events, reports, and media.
  

• Advocate for the role of future thinking and speculative design in empowering youth.
  

Qualifications:

• A degree in social design, design research, strategic design, industrial design, futures studies, strategic foresight, or related fields.
  

• 2-3 years of experience in speculative design, social design, design research, futures thinking, or related disciplines.
  

• Proficiency in creative tools like Adobe Creative Suite, prototyping software, and 3D modeling tools.
  

• Strong storytelling skills, with experience in narrative design, world building, and immersive experiences.
  

• Ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams and engage with diverse stakeholders.
  

• Experience facilitating workshops and co-creation sessions.
  

• Ability to be attuned to the new development in the fields of speculative design, critical design and futures studies.
  

• Passion for empowering youth and an interest in the intersections of education, technology, and societal impact.
  

Required Competencies:

• Systems thinking and the ability to connect trends across disciplines.
  

• Proactive, creative and an innovative mindset, with a focus on experimentation and iteration.
  

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially with young people.
  

• Strong visual design and prototyping skills to bring abstract ideas to life.