Student FAQs

What is “Immersive”?

Immersive isn’t new. It’s been around since humans discovered the power of storytelling. Attached to the drawings on the caves of our ancestors is a story and a message. An experience so inherently “immersive” that it inspired humans to create greater and better things. But as our species continues to advance, so do our standards for what qualifies as Immersive.

At TXI, we believe three crucial components must be satisfied for an experience to be considered immersive. First, the design must be intimate. A sincere and honest connection must be made with the audience through libraries worth of research that deeply understands the user’s pains, gains, wants, and needs. An experience must also be interactive such that the user feels they have a personal stake in the story being told. The story cannot move forward without their participation, and the user should be acutely aware that they are needed. Lastly we require the design to integrate experiential elements so that the story feels real. Friction between the story’s reality and the user’s reality can break engagement.

If an experience truly satisfies these needs then an audience will be immersed in a story that can provoke genuine action and true connections.

What does TXI do?

We combine audience and community research, storytelling and emerging technology to create innovative immersive experiences. TXI Students (aka Explorers) work in trans-disciplinary teams to turn real-world problems into authentic, memorable, and relevant user experiences.

What is an immersive experience?

An immersive experience is one that fully engages your senses and attention, making you feel like you're part of the environment or activity and inviting you to participate! It often involves elements like virtual reality, detailed storytelling, or interactive technology that draw you in completely. Some examples include escape rooms, virtual worlds, augmented reality games, role-playing games (RPGs), interactive theater, and many more! Immersive experiences can exist in a variety of environments and worlds, from physical to digital and everything in between.

Who can apply to TXI?

TXI is open to students of ALL major and backgrounds. We invite both graduate and undergraduate students to apply to the program.

How often does TXI accept new students?

We open the TXI application every semester, you can find it here.

How many classes do I have to take as part of the TXI program?

As of Spring 2025 TXI will have 4 classes as part of the program

1. Audience Development and Engagement: Understand an audience’s intention, expectation, interaction and relationship with space and emerging technologies to create resilient and inspired engagement.
2. Immersive Media Studio: Understand how immersive technologies work, how they afford new means of communicating and sharing information, what structures of control and power they embody, and how they might work differently for people in different contexts. 
3. Experimental Storytelling: Understand the expansion of characters, afford new ways of story structure, and apply them to world-building scenarios that create personalization and interaction. 
4. Immersive Experience: Combine the understanding of an audience, the language of development and awareness of the affordances of each medium to design immersive user experiences.

How many semesters does it take to complete the TXI program?

For undergraduate students
You will need 4 semesters to complete the TXI courses. One class per semester in the order indicated above.

For graduate students
You will need 3-4 semesters to complete the TXI courses. 
You can take the second class (Immersive Media Studio) together with either Audience Development and Engagement or Experimental Storytelling.

Feel free to review the courses and pathways here. 

What kinds of jobs exist in Immersive and who’s hiring?

Immersive is a field in constant development, TXI is preparing you for jobs that may not exist yet! A TXI Explorers can become an Experience Designer, Activation Strategist, Brand Manager, Engagement Specialist. Producer, Digital Creative Director, Consultant, Interactive Specialist, UX/UI Designer, Project Manager, and more!

Can I see what past TXI Explorer have been up to?

Absolutely, take a look here!