In this episode, cultural professional Ed Rodley discusses innovative experience design. Topics include virtual reality, building immersive worlds, and the concept of immersion. Ed introduces the ideas of the 'magic circle' and 'story worlds' to emphasize the diverse nature of immersion experiences.
Immersion is not a one-size-fits-all experience and can be achieved through various means such as VR, AR, and physical spaces like museums, utilizing concepts like the 'magic circle' and 'story worlds'.
Agency is crucial in creating immersive experiences, allowing individuals to actively engage with the environment and have a sense of influence over their own experience.
Immersive experiences play a significant role in world building and community development, fostering a sense of belonging and community, and creating environments that offer agency and meaningful engagement.
Deep dives
The Power of Immersion in Creating Engaging Experiences
Immersion is a key factor in creating engaging experiences. It involves a psychological state where the individual feels completely absorbed in a different reality or environment. This can be achieved through various means, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or even in physical spaces like museums. The concept of the "magic circle" comes into play, where individuals voluntarily take on different roles and follow different norms within a defined space. Agency, or the sense of control and decision-making, is crucial in creating immersive experiences. It allows individuals to actively engage with the environment and have a sense of influence over their own experience. The transition from immersion to absorption and eventually to saturation and overflow is a progression that leads to deeper engagement and a lasting impact. Understanding and harnessing the power of immersive experiences can help in creating more meaningful and memorable interactions with audiences.
Preparing for the Future of Immersive Experiences
As the future of technology evolves, so does the potential for immersive experiences. This includes the advancement of augmented reality (AR), mixed reality, and virtual reality (VR). These technologies have the ability to mediate our lived environments and create digital communal experiences. To prepare for this future, it is important to stay updated with the latest developments in these technologies and understand their applications in different fields. Collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches are key in exploring the possibilities of immersive design. Learning from the research and experiments conducted in VR and AR can offer insights into the design of experiences in the physical world. Additionally, being aware of the importance of agency, the role it plays in immersive experiences, and finding ways to provide individuals with meaningful choices and interactions can contribute to creating more engaging and impactful immersive experiences.
The Role of Immersion in World Building and Community Experiences
Immersive experiences play a significant role in world building and community development. By creating immersive environments, organizations can foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and community among individuals. Whether it's through augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or physical spaces, immersion allows individuals to step into different roles and engage with others within a defined context. Understanding the power of immersion and leveraging it to build narratives, evoke emotions, and spark imagination can deepen the connections and interactions within a community. By creating environments that offer agency, individuals can actively participate, co-create, and shape their own experiences, fostering a sense of ownership and meaningful engagement.
Lessons from Virtual Reality and Gaming for Immersive Experiences
Virtual reality (VR) and gaming have provided valuable insights into immersion and the design of immersive experiences. Plausibility and place illusion are two psychological illusions that contribute to the sense of presence and believability in a virtual environment. The notion of the magic circle, where individuals willingly adopt different roles and behaviors, is a key concept in creating immersive experiences. The concept of agency, or the sense of control and decision-making, is crucial for individuals to feel engaged and connected to the immersive world. Learning from the successes and challenges in designing VR and gaming experiences can inform the design of immersive experiences in various fields, such as museums and community interactions.
The Future of Immersive Experiences and the Importance of Agency
Looking ahead, the future of immersive experiences holds great potential for creating engaging and transformative interactions. As technology continues to advance, the possibilities for augmented reality (AR), mixed reality, and virtual reality (VR) are expanding. However, it is important to be mindful of the volatility of these technologies and the need for ongoing innovation. Agency, or the sense of control and decision-making, is a critical element in creating immersive experiences. By providing individuals with meaningful choices and the ability to shape their own experiences, immersive environments can empower and engage participants. Collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches will be key in navigating the evolving landscape of immersive experiences and preparing for the future. By staying updated with the latest developments, exploring new possibilities, and focusing on agency, we can unlock the full potential of immersion as a transformative tool.
On this episode of the Cohere podcast, Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas chat with cultural professional Ed Rodley about innovative experience design. Ed shares how his experience as a museum technologist has prepared him to explore and challenge the concept of ‘immersion’. This season, we are identifying the critical mindsets, skill sets, and toolsets community professionals need to hone for the next iteration of the Internet. Ed introduces the concepts of the ‘magic circle’ and ‘story worlds’ to illustrate ‘immersion’ is not a one-size-fits-all experience.
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