An exclusive opportunity to explore the design of collective immersive experiences with one of the leading voices in immersive storytelling.
Shared Realities is the central theme of IDFA DocLab 2026, as well as the name of a collaborative research program bringing together IDFA DocLab, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS), and a network of prominent Dutch immersive makers and industry organisations.
In the context of this program, we are delighted to invite a select group of makers, designers and researchers to an interactive masterclass led by Kent Bye, renowned host of the Voices of VR podcast.
For over a decade, Bye has documented the evolution of immersive storytelling through more than 700 in-depth oral history interviews with pioneers and practitioners in the field. Drawing on this extraordinary body of knowledge, he has developed a comprehensive theory of experiential design, offering a unique framework for understanding and creating immersive experiences.
What happens when immersion becomes a shared experience?
In this two-hour masterclass, Bye will introduce his framework for experiential design. Together with the participants, he will explore how this analytical framework could also be used to think about the design of new experiences. We are especially interested in exploring the emerging possibilities of collective immersive experiences, from location-based VR and shared virtual worlds to planetarium domes, interactive installations, and participatory performances. We are also interested in potential community development practices during the onboarding or offboarding phases.
When immersive experiences become collective rather than individual, familiar concepts such as presence take on a new meaning. How do we design for shared presence, social interaction, and collective agency? And what creative possibilities and design trade-offs emerge, between cognitive, social, participatory, experiential, emotional, sensory and immersive elements?Participants may bring their own ideas for immersive experiences and explore them through Kent Bye’s experiential design framework (but this is not mandatory). Through hands-on exercises and discussion, the masterclass offers a rare opportunity to challenge assumptions, exchange perspectives, and develop new approaches to designing shared realities.
Practical Information
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 15:00-17:00.
Location: Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS), Amsterdam – Theo Thijssenhuis Wibautstraat 2-4.
Participation: Free, registration mandatory
Organisation: Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Civic Interaction Design Research Group www.civicixd.com
Contact: Martijn de Waal b.g.m.de.waal@hva.nl