Drawing of the neural network hummingbird, by Karin Victorin
Some say the hummingbird should not be able to fly. Its wings move so fast that it creates the illusion of existing in multiple places at once—like a quantum state, like a neural network, like an intricate web of connections spanning time and space.
Fragile yet powerful, it is so delicate that it is said to never survive more than 24 hours in captivity. And yet, it is one of the most resilient creatures in the world—a being of pure movement, thriving only in freedom, adaptation, and connection. In many Indigenous traditions, the hummingbird is a messenger of joy, a bringer of lightness in heavy times of challenge, reminding us to seek delight even in the most complex landscapes. HUMMINGBIRD carries a message from deep time—that the future is not something to be captured or controlled, but something to be danced with, embraced, and co-created with curiosity and care.
This is why the hummingbird became our symbol of Beyond Blueprints—one of four future scenarios we developed within The Futures We Build, a project led by Media Evolution and funded by Formas & the Swedish Energy Agency.
Beyond Blueprints – A Vision for Living Cities
The transdisciplinary team behind Beyond Blueprints—Vanessa Ware, Malin Lampa, Maria Lindelöf, Bo Baudin, and myself, Karin Victorin—believes cities should be living, breathing ecosystems, shaped by imagination, adaptability, and co-creation. Instead of static blueprints and rigid masterplans, we need urban environments that grow, regenerate, and respond to life—where people don’t just live, but actively shape the places that care for them.
🔥 Now, this vision is alive at Form/Design Center in Malmö until March 16th, where you can step into the future through LumenMind, a sensory AI fireplace I built as part of the exhibition. It invites visitors to reflect on the city we know and imagine the city that could be.
Wild Ride – Taking the Vision Further
As Beyond Blueprints launches into the world, Vanessa Ware and I are now exploring the path forward.
Together, through my company Wild Ride, we create immersive experiences, speculative storytelling, and strategic futures work—helping organizations navigate change with imagination and intelligence.
I come from a background as an artist, AI expert, and senior creative director with a master’s degree in social sciences, specializing in transdisciplinary work at the intersection of technology, storytelling, and human experience. Vanessa brings expertise in innovation and urban processes, making her an invaluable partner in shaping new futures.
Our work is about rewilding imagination—helping cities, businesses, and institutions break free from outdated structures and embrace the cycles of change and regeneration.
Step Into the Future with Us
📍 Visit the exhibition at Form/Design Center before March 16!
Experience Beyond Blueprints and three other visions shaping the future of cities.
💡 We are expanding our work and seeking new partners & projects. If you’re working with urban futures, AI, speculative design, or cultural transformation, let’s talk!
👥 Please get in touch if you are working at the intersection of tech, culture, and urban development!
🔗 More details: beyondblueprints.se
