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Abstract
Monsters are manifestations of our fears. The human action of creating monsters has been historically significant throughout the Anthropocene. In this context, the Anthropocene can be understood as the geologic time when human civilization developed and flourished. For humans, monsters are an exploration of our own existence. For nature, monsters represent the irreversible ecological crisis caused by human impact. For art and design, monsters are a rebellion that challenges prevailing cultural narratives and disrupts hierarchies. As society and technology progress, so too do the monsters we create in our collective psyche. These future monsters, born from current anxieties and uncertainties, serve as cautionary tales, reminding us of the consequences of unfettered progress and the responsibilities of wielding immense power.
Visual communication designers can create functional fiction through future monsters that help us explore what technological world we wish to live in in order to better accommodate ourselves into this unfamiliar world. Future technological advancements may blur human distinctions, prompting ethical, AI, and ecosystem impact questions. This interdisciplinary approach deepens our understanding of the human experience and shared responsibility for addressing environmental damage, decolonizing design, and emerging technology ethics. Studying monsters uncovers societal fears and desires, providing insights for adapting to our complex world and upcoming technological frontiers. These monsters serve as mirrors, reflecting the possibilities of what might be and begging the question: Is this the world we are thriving for?
