Following the map’s coordinates, our protagonist—an adventurous cartographer named Peter—finds a translucent sphere floating above the rooftops of Moscow. Inside the bubble, a miniature planet spins, covered in iridescent flora and tiny, glowing insects. The locals call it Liluplanet, a name that sounds like a lullaby whispered by the wind.
Fun Fact: “Lilu” is a playful Finnish word meaning “play” or “fun.” In the story, Liluplanet is indeed a place where playfulness reigns supreme.
“Liluplanet” was introduced in a 2022 speculative design anthology (Boil & Fre, 2022) as a post‑industrial world where production is fully decentralized. Its key societal traits include: “Liluplanet” was introduced in a 2022 speculative design
Using Liluplanet as a narrative probe helps designers imagine non‑linear freelance ecosystems that break from the “gig‑platform” paradigm.
The 21st‑century knowledge economy increasingly relies on modular, adaptable components—both physical (new composites) and digital (interface elements). Three seemingly disparate strands have emerged: Using Liluplanet as a narrative probe helps designers
| Domain | Core Concept | Relevance to Freelance Work | |--------|--------------|-----------------------------| | Materials | PTHC – a Poly‑Thermo‑Hybrid Composite that combines shape‑memory polymers with conductive nanofibers. | Enables rapid prototyping of physical interaction devices (e.g., tactile buttons) that can be shipped on‑demand. | | Speculative Astrobiology | Liluplanet – a fictional exoplanet used in design fiction to explore alternative socio‑technical systems. | Provides a narrative sandbox for testing non‑linear work structures. | | Interaction Design | Buttons – low‑level UI primitives that remain central despite the rise of voice and gesture. | Serve as “anchors” for micro‑tasks in distributed freelance platforms. | | Cultural Metaphor | Flechten – German for “to braid” or “lichen”, symbolising symbiotic interdependence. | Inspires the design of resilient, mutually supportive freelance networks. | | Labor Model | Fre‑Work – a coined term for “Freelance Work” emphasising fluid, boundary‑less engagements. | The target outcome of the interdisciplinary synthesis. |
The Moscow‑7 project—named after the seventh experimental coworking space opened in Moscow in 2024—has become a living laboratory where these ideas intersect. This paper documents the conceptual foundations, experimental setup, and preliminary findings from Moscow‑7, and extrapolates design recommendations for the broader freelance community. In the heart of Liluplanet
In the heart of Liluplanet, a gentle voice greets Peter: “Welcome to Fre Work.” It is the planet’s motto, a reminder that true creativity thrives when we work freely, unbound by strict rules or expectations.
The inhabitants—tiny, winged beings called Frelings—invite Peter to join them in a communal workshop. Here, they flechten together ideas, stories, and songs, each strand adding color and texture to a massive, ever‑growing tapestry that floats above a crystal lake.