Evolving Through Immersion

Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Make STEAM Work For You

(Photograph courtesy of Amy Peck, and used with permission.) Can immersive technology allow us to create a better world? Amid the uncertainty of COVID-19, immersive technology strategist Michelle Excell sees, and guides others in, the ways that might happen. Michelle, who is the founder of hybrid consultancy and production collective The Antipodean, has been researching some of the new ways people immersive technologies can allow people to connect during quarantine. These uses include creative collaboration, teaching, and social events. But they can also involve creation of new environments, imaginative gatherings and, possibly, even new opportunities in the virtual space. While Michelle shared some great resources and suggestions for growing and connecting with others through virtual platforms, we still had much more we could have covered! Consequently, check out her article, "Covid as a Catalyst for Transformation", on LinkedIn. In Michelle's LinkedIn article, you'll find a list of the resources she shared during our conversation . She also shares lots of additional suggestions for ways to use, and grow with, immersive technology in our current daily life. Small business, interacting with grandparents, new and engaging events with friends AND ways to position your brand, are all areas she discusses. And you'll also see a preview of her forthcoming new startup, VOIIJER! (Since our conversation in 2019, she has co-founded both VOIIJER and another new startup, Quartet Agency!) On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear: How existing immersive technologies are getting new roles during the pandemic; Some of the current resources for AR and VR which can be helpful for virtual collaboration; How educators can use immersive technology for distance education; How Michelle and her husband and friends used a virtual platform to create an imaginative social event; Some great suggestions for learning and education (both for adult learning and keeping young students engaged); How to use virtual platforms to combine immersive learning and social catch-up for everyone in the family; The most powerful tool you can use, when starting to work with immersive technology, and a perspective to keep in mind; Why immersive technology may create more value online for small businesses than in-person interactions; How attitudes are currently changing, towards immersive technologies--and where we could go from there; Some of the exciting new free AR tools; A look at Michelle's two new startups, and what's currently happening at The Antipodean.