What makes an experience truly immersive, and how can it help us imagine better futures?
In this episode of Futures Hub, experience designer and creative strategist Sarah Brin joins us to explore the intersection of art, technology, and futures thinking. Drawing on her work with projects like Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, Sarah shares how playful, hands-on design can spark critical reflection on the systems that shape our lives.
We dive into:
- How immersive experiences engage more than just our senses
- The power of creative R&D and “doing it bad” as a path to innovation
- How design can be used to spark reflections on personal agency; and
- Trends in art, entertainment, and technology that are shaping futures work
Sarah’s message is clear: futures work doesn’t just belong to tech giants or elite institutions – it belongs to all of us. Whether you’re an artist, futurist, or simply curious about where culture and creativity are headed, this episode will leave you inspired to experiment, play, and take action toward building a thriving world.
Timestamps
03:14 – Sarah’s Interdisciplinary Journey from Art History to Futures Work
04:35 – Describing & Contextualizing Futures Work Across Sectors
05:30 – What Makes an Immersive Experience
07:17 – Inside Omega Mart: An example of Sarah’s Work
09:44 – From Art Pranks to Experience Design: How small, playful interventions can grow into large-scale creative ecosystems
11:35 – Creative R&D Explained
14:00 – The Biggest Sticking Point in Creative R&D: The Fear of Failure
15:20 – Designing for Impact and Agency
17:30 – Shifts, Changes and Critical Criteria for Immersive Experiences
23:10 – Building a Thriving Future
25:30 – What’s Next? Working with Sarah Brin & Where to Find Her