An experimental format for turning open questions into tangible futures, prototypes, and practical learning.
A Lab is a multi-step format for exploring a complex question, challenge, or opportunity through futures thinking, experimentation, and prototyping.
Rather than moving too quickly toward one answer, we create a space where participants can explore different directions, test early ideas, and learn what has traction before committing to a fixed solution.
Labs can run as a focused short programme or across several sessions, depending on the ambition, audience, and desired output.
What you get
A facilitated process combining futures tools, creative exploration, practical experiments, and concrete outputs. This can include signals of change, opportunity areas, future concepts, prototypes, strategic directions, learning briefs, or tested ideas that can be shared and developed further.
The format is designed to move between imagination and action. Participants are not only asked to think about the future, but to build, test, challenge, and refine possible responses to it.
How it works
Labs are useful when the question is too open for a traditional workshop, too early for a fixed strategy process, or too uncertain for immediate implementation.
They work well when you want to explore what could work, involve different perspectives, create tangible outputs, and learn through iteration without forcing premature answers or false confidence.
When it fits
Formats
❋ :Reimagined (Futures Literacy)A futures literacy format that expands how people imagine, question, and talk about the future, building shared language and comfort with uncertainty
❋ Futures PrototypingA creation-focused lab turning futures insights into tangible future prototypes and artefact that make implications concrete and testable
❋ Unconference & Open FormatsParticipant-driven labs where the agenda emerges in the room, designed for peer learning and fast sensemaking (including zine-making, AI scenario simulations, time capsules, and other experimental formats)
❋ ThematicBased around one of our Themes
CaseEmpowering democracy tech entrepreneurs frontline democracies to tackle misinformation and autocratic threats through an interactive lab-experience, where we defined systems change and solutions to reinforce democracy.
ClientFocusDemocracy Technology
Democracy & Governance; Technology & Media; Logistics & Defense
ThemesYear2024-25
More cases
Testimonials
Get in touch
Looking to do host a futures lab format?
Fill out the form, and let's explore the futures together!
Or send us an email via hi@anticipate.dk
"Thank you once again for your great workshop at the Maersk Design Days!
It was fun, quite thought-provoking, and I can’t wait to bring some of the thinking and insights back to my work."
Lead Service Designer, Maersk