Explorer in Residence

Explorer in Residence

At Texas Immersive, we strive to be a global leader in immersive storytelling, transforming how people experience and interact with the world through innovative and impactful technological solutions. Our Explorer-in-Residence program invites an industry leader from the immersive media landscape to join the UT Austin campus for a unique, in-depth residency.

The Explorer-in-Residence program is a prestigious annual appointment, recognizing prominent figures who have made notable achievements in innovation and digital media. This program brings a high-profile expert to engage the UT Austin community, igniting discussions on immersive technology, digital creativity, and storytelling. Each Explorer is invited to connect with students, faculty, and research teams over a series of events designed to foster collaborative ideas and explore practical solutions for the future of immersive media.

Explorer in Residence 2024

Explorer in Residence 2024 Graphic
Graphic art design by Ami Plasse, GonzoViz

For 2024, the Year of AI, we explored two prominent figures in the AI industry, Craig Allen and Rachel Joy Victor!

Our speakers

Rachel Joy Victor
Co-founder, FBRC.ai

Rachel Joy Victor is a consultant and the co-founder of FBRC.AI, a company focused on creating AI-supported tools for the future of content production–from films to games to location-based experiences. Rachel’s work as a designer, strategist, and worldbuilder for emerging technologies (XR/AI/web3) focuses on creating cohesive narrative, brand, and product experiences. She designs for a range of applications: from multiplatform narratives and gaming experiences, to tools and platforms, to spaces and cities. She draws from her education in computational neuroscience and spatial economics to facilitate the creation of data-informed emergent experience where world simulation, systems design, and cognitive architectures intersect. Rachel’s clients have included Disney, HBO, Technicolor, Vans, Ford, Nike, Havas, Meow Wolf, Niantic, and many more.

Craig Allen
CEO, Snackshop

Craig Allen works with teams at the intersection of media and technology from leading the first Call of Duty for consoles to Moxie AI – a social robot designed to help kids develop life skills and featured on the cover of Time magazine. Mr. Allen began his career as a member of the founding team of Disney Interactive in the 1990s, producing popular video games such as Toy Story, Hercules and Nightmare Ned (the first original video game to also be simultaneously developed as a network television show for ABC). Currently the CEO of Snackshop (www.snackshop.app), Mr. Allen is building an interactive webcomics platform to empower anyone to easily create and share their stories in a playful global community as we enter a new era of creation at the speed of imagination.

Explorer in Residence 2023

 
Interview with Chris Duffey, Adobe
Graphic Art for Explorer in Residence 2023
Graphic art design by Ami Plasse, GonzoViz
 

For More Information

Contact TXI Program Manager Azalea Laredo at azalea.laredo@austin.utexas.edu