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Sketching Resilient Futures
03/12/2024
A workshop session I hosted as part of the Designing Resilient Regenerative System (DRRS), Certificate of Advanced Studies #3 (CAS#3); course on transformative power of sketching to think systemically
In a world of growing complexity: shaped by climate challenges, socio-economic inequalities and rapid technological changes, the ability to visualize systems and create clarity is more critical than ever. Sketching, often seen as a simple creative tool, has emerged as a powerful method in systemic design, foresight and regenerative thinking.
As the host of the DRRS CAS#3 live session on Sketching Practice at Systemic Design Lab, ETH Zurich, I had the privilege of guiding participants through the transformative role of sketching in systemic design. This blog explores how sketching aligns with foresight methodologies, regenerative design principles and the practice of designing resilient futures.
Sketching for Foresight: Seeing Patterns in Complexity
- Identifying Patterns: During the session, we emphasized how sketching can help uncover relationships and patterns in complex systems. For instance, while discussing climate change, participants visualized interconnected factors like urban infrastructure, migration and policy frameworks.
- Building Scenarios: Sketching supports scenario planning by allowing participants to visually map potential futures. By connecting ideas with arrows and nodes, they could simulate the impacts of automation, policy shifts or environmental change on their systems.
Sketching simplifies the complex while preserving the nuances needed to make informed, future-oriented decisions.
Future thinking requires tools that are adaptable, collaborative, and visually engaging. Sketching is uniquely positioned to meet these needs:
- Anchoring Ideas: Sketching icons and metaphors allows participants to simplify complex concepts, making them easier to communicate and implement.
- Synthesizing Information: Visualizing connections distills scattered data into core insights, ensuring focus on what matters most for sustainable futures.
- Promoting Systems Thinking: Sketching facilitates understanding of the relationships within a system, enabling better decision-making and solution design.
In the workshop, participants explored these techniques to visualize the future of urban resilience, from renewable energy integration to housing solutions.
Visualizing Systems: Sketching Tips and Techniques Illustrated by Arushi
The session focused on actionable sketching techniques for systemic design:
- Active Listening: Participants practiced listening for key patterns and relationships to translate into sketches.
- Clarity Over Complexity: Simplification was emphasized to ensure sketches were accessible and actionable.
- Connecting with Arrows: Arrows helped structure ideas and highlight interconnections.
- Icons and Metaphors: Participants used visual symbols to anchor ideas and communicate them effectively.
- Mind-Body Integration: The act of sketching itself created a deeper cognitive connection with the systems being visualized.
These methods empowered participants to approach systemic challenges with clarity, creativity and confidence.
Reflections: Why Sketching Matters for Future Design
As we face unprecedented challenges, sketching provides a way to bridge the gap between vision and action. Whether it’s designing urban systems, addressing climate migration or planning for intergenerational equity, sketching helps turn abstract futures into tangible realities.
By embracing the simplicity and depth of sketching, we can co-create the resilient, regenerative futures our world urgently needs. Let’s start drawing the future today.
Arushi Shukla, 2025