One design technique which is shifting its way into futurist/consulting work is the "microscenario" process. Rather than imagining how the world will change, then thinking about how best to make products/services for that changed world, the microscenario process involves thinking of individuals living in the changed world, then coming up with ways to make individual lives better. It's a subtle difference, but one with real applicability (I've used it with a variety of consulting clients over the years, and they are constantly surprised at the results). It turns out that Bruce Sterling -- design afficianado and WC Ally #1 -- wrote a story called "User-Centric" for the December 1999 issue of DesignFax, a design engineer journal, which ably illuminates just how the microscenario process works.