Indo-Futurism in its infancy: a critical examination of the movement’s emerging maturity

Abstract

When considering disciplines such as speculative design, futures research, and design fiction, it is necessary to recognize the ongoing influence of past and present in shaping future imaginaries. In recent years, futurism has gained traction as a tool to imagine and re-imagine collective pasts, presents, and futures in response to environmental, social, and political challenges, contributing to the rise of Indigenous Futurisms worldwide. A prominent example is Afrofuturism, now a well-established movement across art, literature, fi lm, and design, which constructs alternate, non-West-centric futures rooted in ancient values, cultural identity, and responses to local environmental concerns while incorporating elements of Black history and culture. In the Indian subcontinent, a similar visual and literary language has emerged as a response to the legacies of decolonisation and contemporary challenges, allowing creators to celebrate their cultures with agency. Indofuturism, like Afrofuturism, synthesises ancient wisdom with contemporary innovation, drawing from spiritual heritage, artistic expression, and technological symbolism; it at times envisions futures where traditional values coexist with cutting-edge technologies, and at others reflects preferred pasts projected into alternative futures. Although still in its infancy, this study seeks to understand Indofuturism’s cultural foundations and examine the factors that may enable it to mature into a recognisable design language, supporting designers and researchers in forecasting its potential trajectory within society.