About Us
The OCI harnesses our collective ability to catalyze hopeful futures beyond present realities. To address the imagination deficit we must reignite social imagination.
Imagination deficit refers to the lack of bold, visionary thinking about the future, particularly in institutions that are meant to shape it (universities, governments, think tanks, business). This isn’t just about a lack of creativity but more about a growing focus on managing the present rather than imagining and building possible futures. As individuals we are proven to be better at imagining apocalyptic scenarios and technological advancements than we are at visioning desirable, plausible social futures.
Just as genetic diversity strengthens species against environmental changes, a society with a broad range of ideas is better equipped to adapt. Without robust imagination, future challenges will likely be met with inadequate responses, reinforcing existing inequalities.
If we cannot think expansively about alternatives for the future, we are less likely to challenge the status quo or create truly transformative solutions for the current significant challenges we face as humanity such as climate change and socio-political instability. The OCI was formed to be a proactive part of the social imagination revival
It’s often the radical, imaginative thinkers—those who look beyond the immediate horizon—that push society forward, often these are designers. The world of design is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between abstract ideas and tangible, real-world solutions—they create space for new ideas to emerge, advocate for diverse voices, and challenge paradigms. By integrating speculative, human-centered, and participatory approaches, design can inspire society to dream big, think long-term, and imagine other ways of being. Interdisciplinary designers are especially crucial to this shift as they bring diverse perspectives together and tackle complex, multifaceted problems. The blending of expertise from various fields and wide critical vision enables these designers to think more expansively, see patterns, connections and opportunitie- making for more resilient societies and environents.
You, too, are part of this office. Welcome.