Meet The Explorers

Madison Phelan is an advertising master’s student in the Texas Immersive sequence. She is passionate about storytelling and creating impactful experiences that evoke emotions and inspires learning in audiences. As a graduate of UT’s Texas Media and Analytics sequence, she also makes data-driven decisions that will reach objectives and encourage interaction. Madison’s passion for these interests grew after her experience receiving the 2020 Global Finalist Award in the NASA Space Apps Global Hackathon and winning TXI’s Spring 2022 Social Impact Build Fest. Now, she acts as co-founder and President of the student organization housed under the Texas Immersive Institute, D.I.V.E., where students from across campus can come together and build experiences with one another. She is currently looking for roles in UX design and project management.

Hello! My name is Melody Geiger(she/her), and I am a passionate developer of immersive experiences and games as well as a perpetual student of emerging technologies. I have experience with technical tools such as Unity and Unreal as well as a well rounded understanding of development pipelines and team management strategies. I have held several leadership positions over 4-18 person teams and am an effective communicator who’s always willing to learn something new. If given an opportunity, I will excel at anything I set my mind to. In addition to my technical background, I have directed and produced short films, ideated immersive experiences, acted as a guest lecturer, and conducted photoshoots. Thanks for taking the time to check out my profile and in exchange here are a few fun facts about me! I’ve fully funded my college tuition through scholarships! I've interned at Meta! I've studied abroad in Mexico! I enjoy playing basketball! I hope you saw something of interest and that we get the chance to talk soon. Thanks!

Zane is an immersive experience designer from Austin Texas with a passion for Technology, Design, and the magic that comes from combining the two. He will be a graduate of the UT School of Fines Arts in Art + Information Technology and the School of Communications Texas Immersive Institute. With a deep curiosity in VR, AR and AI, Zane managed the TXI Lab, won the top prize at the MIT Reality Hack 2022 event, created + facilitated the now annual Social Impact Buildfest (aka hackathon) at UT, co-founded an immersive club on campus and has lead a weekly one hour session on how these emerging technologies are changing industries from Fashion and Sports to Mental Health and Education. Zane is insatiably curious and eager to help others see what is possible as emerging tech enables and unlocks entirely new ways to create immersive and deeply engaging experiences in all facets of our lives.

I'm an Advertising and Communication & Leadership (CLD) student involved in the Texas Creative and the Texas Immersive programs at UT Austin. I have a passion for storytelling and crafting meaningful and enthralling experiences. My mission is to bring a positive, long-lasting impact to all projects I collaborate on by utilizing immersive technology, data insights, and out-of-the-box ideas. With my background in advertising, public relations, mentorship programs, research, and content creation, I have adopted a productive work ethic rooted in problem-solving, organizational skills, quick thinking, and teamwork -- all of which I hope to continue expanding upon. ​

I am an Audiovisual Communication and Multimedia Professional with an emphasis on interactive design. Bilingual (Spanish / English). Master Student in Learning Technologies at the University Of Texas at Austin (graduating May 2023). Experience in developing, designing, and managing interactive entertainment and educational content, such as video games, augmented reality, and online courses.

Most of the sentences that come out of Bryn's mouth start with "what if." A trait that has served her well in both the Texas Immersive and Texas Creative Programs, where she's learning experience design and copywriting. She likes brands, hates (most) ads, and loves trying new things. 

I am a bilingual (English and Spanish) professional with a passion for design and immersive experiences, and a unique skill set to bring them to life. With a Master's degree in Advertising with a focus on immersive experiences and a Bachelor's degree in Design with a minor in Business, I have a strong background in both the creative and strategic aspects of design. Inspired by the innovative and imaginative approach of Disney Imagineering and the power of experiential marketing, I am dedicated to creating memorable and engaging experiences for audiences. With my expertise in design, advertising, and business, I am able to understand the needs and desires of the target audience and design immersive experiences that connect with them on a deeper level. By bridging innovation, storytelling, and aesthetics, my goal is to create experiences and designs that are both impactful and unforgettable. I am driven by a desire to push the boundaries of what is possible and to create experiences that are truly one-of-a-kind.

I'm a data-driven storyteller and creator eager to solve problems in order to leave the world better than I found it. I have a passion for research and understanding the overall wants, needs, and motivations of audiences and humans altogether. During my time in my graduate program, I have fallen in love with experience design and using technology to enhance storytelling. I have worked in various research and communication spaces including marketing for nonprofits, copywriting, and design in the healthcare field. I am grateful to have a diverse background within my field and utilize each unique skill to mold myself and grow as a storyteller. I love grabbing coffee and chatting about fun projects, the world of immersive and random things like cool thrift store finds. Let's connect!

I am a passion-driven individual interested in the areas where creativity and technology intersect. I seek to create quality products and user experiences utilizing my diverse skillset with the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Figma, Miro, and other industry standard creative tools. I have a strong desire to contribute to meaningful work that impacts the lives of others in a positive manner through my abilities to adapt, learn quickly, and effectively communicate.

Hi, I’m Marlo, a second-year graduate student in the Texas Immersive Institute. I have learned how to combine technology and storytelling to create engaging experiences throughout my time here. In my free time, I enjoy, watching movies, writing, and going to concerts. I am interested in creating experiences, project management, and client-facing roles. 

I am a fourth year advertising student specializing in media and analytics through the Texas Media and Analytics program with a minor in entrepreneurship. I currently own a video production company and am interested in obtaining a role at a media production company that dabbles in experimental storytelling.

I am a creative advertiser with a passion for immersive storytelling, motivated by creating unique experiences for the masses.

Daniel recently graduated from UT with a B.S. in Computer Science alongside certifications from the Digital Arts & Media Bridging Disciplines Program and the Texas Immersive Institute. Daniel applied for Ph.D. programs in Human-Computer Interaction with a focus on making XR devices more accessible and is awaiting admissions decisions this spring. Daniel is currently working as a research assistant in the UT CS HCI lab investigating methods to enhance the accessibility of livestreaming platforms for visually impaired people. Daniel has worked on projects with the immersive institute since Summer 2019, when he coordinated and executed the student pitch competition for ATX Digital Diversity Day that October. Daniel was also the lead developer on SolAR Run, a skin cancer prevention research project and social awareness campaign for students in Singapore, as well as a contract developer for the Roses of the Rubble capstone experience Spring 2022. Last summer, Daniel completed an internship at Fair Worlds as a software engineering intern on multiple AR & VR experiences (primarily using Niantic's 8thWall platform). Daniel is now seeking paid internship opportunities starting this May through August before moving to wherever he gets into grad school. If you can help with that, please send him an email! :)

My name is Will, and I'm currently an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. I have a background in working audio for live productions, but I'm working on taking my existing skillsets and applying them to video game production. I'm very passionate about game development, and focus on audio design, production, and implementation. Along with audio design, I have experience working as a producer on projects, as well as UI/UX design and implementation. I've worked with a wide variety of different systems to bring immersive audio design to life and make an unforgettable experience for listeners. Audio is something that can make or break an experience for the audience, and I try my best to make experiences the best they possibly can be by bringing them to life through the sounds that they hear.

I am an Advertising Graduate Student graduating in May ’23 and involved in the Texas Creative and Texas Immersive programs at UT Austin. Originally from the UK and with a BA in Advertising from UAL, I moved to the US to be with my longterm partner and to learn more about the American Advertising world. Through my time here in Austin, I have developed a unique sense of style, combing both US and UK design together. My mission is to continue developing this style in the US and become more involved in the world of Immersive Advertising, combining everything I have learnt over the years and providing the best creative solution to an array of brands and people.

I'm Hingis Chang, currently a graduate student in UT Austin majoring Information Studies and also a member of Texas Immersive Institute. I define myself as a passionate artist and storyteller, I hope to convey energy and positive value by telling a good story. To achieve this goal, I do UX design and research to understand user's perspective; I do illustration and animation to better visualize the story; I also do data analysis to make insightful data a persuasive and visualized story.

Hey, I am Insiyah! A millennial digital native. I am currently a graduate MSIS student pursuing user experience design and research. I have a bachelor's degree in communication Design and have worked as a UI designer with Deloitte for 3 years. I’m especially interested in UX Research and Accessibility and I am curious about immersive design. My work is restless, curious and evolving to be future proof. I am passionate about inclusivity, immersive technology and building connections through design, technology and community. The future is exciting and it’s here, let’s design for it!

Having grown up around the world, Arianna is a worldly and creative thinker. Her academic and professional background have refined her communication skills as well as her ability to collaborate with people of all backgrounds and identities. With a passion for all things design related, she aims to use design + technology to tell stories, promote products, or improve brands. On top of the experience outlined on her resume, she has worked for a start-up beverage company, a podcasting agency, a London-based Fashion brand, and as a visual arts tutor for neurodivergent young-adults. In her academic and professional life, she has been consistently praised as a hard-working individual. If you’re looking for a creative problem-solver who is passionate about their work and will be a positive asset for your company or organization, then Arianna would be an excellent fit.

Hey there! My name is Sam Hewitt. I am completing my degree in philosophy, with a history minor and a certificate in immersive design. I am interested in exploring opportunities in user experience, user interaction design, and impact centered design. I have experience with many different forms of writing, brand work, and design frameworks. Some areas of interest include environmental sustainability, education, and understanding the societal consequences of emerging tech/how to design for a better future.

Kristen Osborn is an Austin-based experience designer who is passionate about nurturing human connection through live storytelling. Kristen is an ensemble member at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble in Chicago where she curated and produced the inaugural Solo Voices Workshop, and was formerly the literary manager and casting associate at Northlight Theatre and associate director at the Ojai Playwrights Conference. She is the founder and producing artistic director of JoyistLA and was the assistant coordinating producer for In & Of Itself at the Geffen Playhouse and Daryl Roth Theatre. Select directing credits: Renae Simone Jarrett’s Community Garden, Sam Chanse’s The Opportunities of Extinction (North Central College,) Kristin Idaszak’s Tidy (developmental reading, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble,) Eugene O’Neill’s Fog (UCLA,) JoyistLA’s First Embrace (site specific, Los Angeles,) and an original adaptation of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, Lift (Montserrat, DTLA.) Selected assistant directing credits: Henry IV, (dir. Daniel Sullivan, Shakespeare Center LA,) The Scene (dir. Kimberly Senior, Writers Theatre,) Mother of the Maid (dir. BJ Jones, Northlight Theatre,) Choir Boy (dir. Trip Cullman, Geffen Playhouse). She is a graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, an MFA Directing candidate at UT Austin and an explorer with the Texas Immersive Institute. 

If you're looking for someone creative, passionate, and willing to learn what I need to in order to get a project done, then you have come to the right person. I have worked to gain skills in different software such as Adobe CC, Blender, Figma, and many other software's to be able to create quality content that is easy for the user while meeting project goals.

Hi! My name is Keaten and I’m a senior at UT Austin currently pursuing a degree in advertisement with a minor in business. I’m in the Texas Immersive Institute which focuses on UX/UI design and the creation of immersive experiences. Through this program I’ve been able to work with a real world client and have gained a number of skills. From conducting research to designing apps, this program has been essential to opening me to the immersive world. Furthermore, as an advertising major, I love to utilize my creativity in any way I can. I’m excited for my final advertising class, as I will be working with a real world client as a member in the creative department.

I am a UX designer with a mechanical engineering background, and my specialties lie in accessible design and immersive experience design. I believe care is the new currency in the post-pandemic era, and I aspire to help companies vocalize their ethical products by optimizing user experience while giving users a sense of caring.

Mavyn Anh Vu is a driven designer and multidisciplinary artist whose creative and intellectual passions revolve around the core belief that one must be bold enough to imagine and affirm that a more sustainable, accessible, compassionate future can exist in order to build towards it. With a background in a variety of fields and specific interests in research (user interviews, wet lab protocols, literature reviews), and experiential world building (visual design, sound design, environment/interaction design).

I am a creative, enthusiastic, and driven Advertising student at the University of Texas at Austin. Beyond the classroom, I enjoy being part of organizations such as the Texas Immersive Institute, Texas Convergent, and Linked Consulting which continue to expose me to different insights and skills from various industries that pique my interest! Throughout my undergrad career so far, I have gained experience in Business Development, Marketing, Product Growth, and Immersive Experience Designing. Also, I have taken on learning skills such as UI/UX designing, sewing, and photography. I have a passion for disruptive technology innovation, diversity and inclusion, and community building, and I plan on pursuing these passions alongside my future teammates and colleagues!

Lucas Hood is a designer looking to design for an audience in search of a good show. His work combines mediums to create experiences driven by rich narratives in vivid worlds to create memories for his audience that will last a lifetime. Growing up surrounded by influences from some of the great American showmen of the past, his work has grown with the mission to continue the tradition of creating some of the greatest shows on earth. Lucas aims to use his talents across multiple mediums, including graphic design, industrial design, and experience design, to build experiences that will bring audiences together and make a lasting impression. His passion for learning and developing his skills across mediums is fueled by his desire to build rich and intricate story worlds that audiences can engage and connect with in revolutionary ways.

Hello! My name is Miu Nakata. I am double majoring in B.S. Advertising and Radio-Television-Film with a certificate in Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin. With my passion for advertising, filmmaking, and computer science, I am currently a part of the Texas Immersive program, learning to combine creativity and technology fields together to create immersive spaces through user experience design. Last semester, I had the opportunity to work on an experience design project with Dell Technologies through Texas Immersive. I have been working as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant since Spring 2022, where I have given two guest lectures and facilitated engagement for over 100 students through class activities and reinforced understanding of lecture material. My software skills include Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva, Python, HTML, and Javascript. My interpersonal skills include public speaking, creative directing, digital marketing, and project management. I am interested in roles such as creative directing, UI/UX design, project management, social media management, event planning, marketing, and post-production. Currently, I am looking for internships for the summer of 2023, and possibly the fall as well. Thank you so much!

I’m a lifelong creative who is fascinated by the possibilities of AI and “the metaverse” to streamline processes and enhance our lives. I’m a professional photographer, social media manager, and love to write in my off-time. I’m also an Air Force veteran who changed paths in order to pursue a career where I can utilize my natural talents for problem-solving, ideas, and creativity. I’m currently studying Advertising at the University of Texas at Austin, and am a proud Texas Immersive Explorer. I’m currently looking for internships and part-time opportunities to augment my education outside of the classroom.

I'm Kenneth, a software engineer graduating in May 2023. I'm interested in web design and development. I like how web development allows me to display my creativity while I come up with my own solution and product. I find it fun so I like to learn about new tools and techniques as I work on my mini-projects. Other hobbies I have are playing games, watching anime, collecting Pokémon cards, and going to the Gym. Overall, I hope I can use my skills to create unique interactive experiences and make a positive impact.

Hi! I’m a sophomore pursuing an Advertising major at the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations with an Elements of Computing Certificate at UT Austin. I'm hoping to create experiences that can improve others' lives. My interests include user experience design and creative brand strategy. I'm hoping to expand my skillset through a summer internship and am eager to learn new things by gaining new experience within the industry.

I am currently studying machine learning and statistical analysis of real-world data. I have worked as a data analyst and a software developer for Benchmark Labs. In addition to being proficient in coding, I am also an illustrator has raised about $2,000 for charity through art commissions. I am currently looking for an internship that would make full use of my creativity and experience as a programmer!

Avery Tellam has a BA in Mass Communication from Loyola University New Orleans and is currently working toward a Master's in Advertising at The University of Texas at Austin. She is working as a Teaching Assistant and has been accepted into the Texas Immersive and Texas Creative programs at the Stan Richards School of Advertising. She is seeking an internship where she can contribute her creativity to communications projects.

I am a Human-Computer Interaction master's student, seeking a career as a customer-centric, data-driven product manager. Passionate about immersive technology and utilizing user-centered design principles. Strong analytical skills and ability to gather customer feedback to drive product development. Committed to staying current with industry trends and advancements!

Hello there! I'm Phoebe, an experience and game designer in the Texas Immersive program pursuing a B.S. in Arts and Entertainment Technologies at the University of Texas at Austin. I enjoy throwing frisbees and wrangling chickens in my free time. More than anything, I find educational games and the future fascinating. Currently, I am a UX/UI intern at a startup called Locol, where I'm working with a product team both remotely and in person to design a digital freelance marketplace for college students and small businesses. -While volunteering for an environmental nonprofit called Keep Sugar Land Beautiful in the past three years, I developed eco-themed educational games to increase young audience engagement at local school outreach events. Last summer, I fine-tuned my communication and leadership skills by overseeing staff training, hiring, and online business presence for Yellowtail Sushi & Ramen, a new small restaurant business in Pearland. As a camp instructor this past summer, I also developed lesson plans to teach STEAM topics to elementary schoolers through physical games and new ways of presenting content for early learning development. I am currently seeking UX and game design internships for the summer of 2023!

My name is Kelly Zhang, and I’m pursuing an Arts & Entertainment Technologies major and a CS certificate, while also completing the Texas Immersive program. I love to leverage 2D and 3D artistic skills along with programming languages, such as python, C#, C++, and JavaScript to develop immersive experiences and games. My work includes developing augmented reality experiences in Meta Spark Studio and Snapchat Lens Studio, creating 3D & 2D levels and environments in Unity and Unreal, and 3D modeling in Maya and Fusion 360. I’m currently creating virtual reality video games in Meta Quest 2, rigging characters and creating particle effects in Unreal and Unity as a technical artist, and producing meaningful immersive experiences that solve issues for underserved communities around the world. My purpose is to use extended reality and games to translate cultural and social contentions into common understanding, build educational training simulations, and develop accessible immersive experiences to spread awareness on humanitarian crises. Also, a fun fact: I raised chickens as a kid in my backyard. I love creating and impacting, so I am open to any roles that could fulfill that. Feel free to contact me at zhang.kelly@utexas.edu.

I'm Demi, a multimedia designer interested in creating immersive experiences through both physical and XR products! I am currently a sophomore at UT pursuing a bachelor's in design and certificate in computer science. Coming from an illustration background, I did not expect to be drawn to a field as tech-heavy as interaction/experiential design, but now it's something I consider a passion--one where I can problem-solve but still incorporate whimsical, artistic touches into my work!

Lily Odekirk (she/her) is a multimedia theatre artist, facilitator, and storyteller, currently pursuing her MFA in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities at UT Austin. Lily has lived and worked in Boston, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Juneau, Portland (Maine), and across Appalachia. She had the privilege of touring The Winter Bear Project, a play that advocates for mental health, throughout Alaska, and in 2019, she launched a pilot project, Raincheck Art Magazine: an online forum that shared the stories of artists in Southeast Alaska. Throughout the pandemic, Lily facilitated projects such as "Point Home (Insta)llation", an international youth collaboration on nuclear disarmament. She created and produced Perseverance Theatre's first virtual STAR summer theatre camp and helped produce the civic-minded event Voice the Vote. She holds a certificate in Documentary Studies (Film) from The Salt Institute and a dual-B.A. in Theatre Studies and English from Wellesley College. Her interactive digital documentary project Bearing Witness premiered at the Portland Museum of Art, and her participatory piece Ritual will premiere at the Cohen New Works Festival this spring.

I am an aspiring game and experience designer that has mad multiple types of games in small and larger groups. My areas of expertise for are mainly systems and general gameplay design, and I have some coding and scripting knowledge. I am currently looking for a summer internship in the game design field and would be willing to join for experience design as well.

I am an international student from China. I chose to major in advertising during both my undergraduate and graduate studies because I wanted to better explore the value of creative advertising in our society. Right now, I have 2 internship experience in my home country and gain some software skills in media industry. As an explorer in TXI, I wish I could use more powerful technology to make the creative things to get audience attraction and better help them. I am really looking forward to getting a new internship experience at the first year of MA and dive deep into the career.

My name is Anthony, and I am currently in my third year of study at The University of Texas at Austin. My major is in Advertising, and I am also pursuing a minor in Informatics. I have been actively developing my graphic design skills through my involvement (graphics chair) in a social organization, and I am eager to gain real-world experience in order to further advance my craft.

Hello! I'm Cat. I have 2+ years of design experience in multiple field areas and approach design from a user-centered and storytelling perspective. I believe that each product has a process to explore behind it from initial ideation to final render and implementation. These products might be digital, analog, or a combination of both to help achieve the intended impact and response. I have a strong desire to go into UI/UX Design and find out where the physical world intersects the digital. In that realm, I believe some of the strongest connections can be forged. However, making the user the hero is always the end goal. Through this, product design becomes transformative. As for software, I have experience with Framer (similar to figma) as well as conducting basic design research. I am familiar with the basics of ps.j5 and javascript and would love to learn about unreal engine and other immersive technologies during an internship.

With a keen eye for design and a passion for digital marketing, I am a creative force to be reckoned with. During my internship at Urban Hydration, I led product campaign launches and kick-started TikTok as a primary social platform. At The Vortex, I honed my UI/UX design skills and took on event promotion. Currently, I am polishing my art direction abilities in the Texas Creative Portfolio Program & Texas Immersive Pathway, with the aspiration of leading immersive projects that transport audiences to new worlds. My portfolio encompasses an array of mediums, from typography to film, reflecting my unique storytelling abilities. With a passion for innovation and an innate talent for bringing ideas to life, I am eager to work with a company that values creativity and storytelling. Let's shape the future of the industry together.

Amanda Miller is a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin studying Information Studies with a specialization in UX Design. Amanda graduated from The Ohio State University with a BFA in Art and Technology. Miller has extensive experience in 3D Animation, Photography, Graphic Design and Adobe Creative Suites.

My name is Yuhua, and I am now a graduate student studying advertising at the University of Texas at Austin. Before, I took my undergraduate study at Pennsylvania State University and also majored in advertising. So..as you can see, I was perusing advertising for more than four and a half years. Through my learning process, I gradually mastered many hard skills such as adobe photoshop/premiere, photo shooting, and copywriting as well as soft skills like communicating, teamworking, problem-solving, and of course, working under great pressure. I like creating ads because I like seeing how things are gradually being constructed, and I also love how ads could convey messages to the public in a very short span of time. Ultimately, I hope to apply my skill of creation in my future career. In my spare time, I love watching movies as a way of absorbing others' creations. A recent obsession of mine is doing puzzles because seeing how vacancies are filled is satisfying.