The Architecture of Presence: Surprising ways IRL experiences converge with XR

Session by：
Liya Safina / Independent (Google XR)

Spectrum Tokyo Design Fest 2026 Day 2 (2026/02/15)

Transcript

1. The Architecture of Presence Liya Safina hi@liyasafina.com 1 FROM IRL TO XR Spectrum
5. 5 Spectrum Sleep No More Immersive Theatre PUNCHDRUNK
14. It felt like being inside of a dream — but awake, embodied.
15. 360 environment & locations Smells and tastes Actors and interaction Sensory deprivation Sounds and music Tactility and discoverability Multi-sensory immersion: 15 Spectrum
16. 16 Spectrum When I left, I was not the same person who had entered. SLEEP NO MORE
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26. Why are there so few experiences that deeply impact us?
27. Do they have to be physical and in person to create change?
28. 28 Spectrum Face Jumping VR Experience TENDER CLAWS
34. 34 Embodiment creates empathy faster than words ever could. Empathy = impact. FACE JUMPING VR Spectrum
35. 35 Everything I Know About Teacher Li Mixed Reality Documentary ZHUZMO Spectrum
41. 41 You have to take action to move forward. The puzzle will not assemble without participation. EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT TEACHER LI Spectrum
42. 42 Alice in Borderland Live Action Roleplay IMMERSIVE FORT TOKYO Spectrum
45. 45 Sometimes we need to raise the stakes and take risks to feel something. ALICE IN BORDERLAND Spectrum
46. 46 Presence is not accidental. It is designed. Here are the core principles you could use to consistently create it in your work Spectrum
47. Emotional Transformation 47 Design for change, not for clicks. Map out who was your guest before and who will they become after: more inspired, more empathetic, more empowered? Inspire to get there. Yonex Fail Fast Campaign PRINCIPLE 1 Spectrum
48. 48 Sensory Coherence It’s not about more senses — it’s about aligned senses. Sound, light, texture, narrative, interaction must all reinforce the same reality. Nothing breaks the spell. PRINCIPLE 2 Spectrum Vacation Sunscreen Brand
49. Participation As Meaning 49 Make an invitation to solve a mystery. Sell an incomplete product. Require assembly or remixing.
 A cohesive world doesn't unravel all its secrets at once. Topologie strap selection PRINCIPLE 3 Spectrum
50. 50 Raise the Stakes, Make it Safe Lock away the phones. Require time & focus. Create something worth a sacrifice.
 Find ways to "yank" people out of their distractions. PRINCIPLE 4 Nokki Matcha Requires 60 minutes Spectrum
51. 01 02 03 04 01 51 02 03 04 Designing for Presence EMOTIONAL TRANSFORMATION Design for change, not for clicks. Map out the before and (the desired) after. SENSORY COHERENCE It’s not about more senses — it’s about aligned senses. Sound, light, texture, narrative, interaction must all reinforce the same reality. Nothing breaks the spell. PARTICIPATION AS MEANING A cohesive world doesn't unravel all its secrets at once. The puzzle will not assemble without active participation. RAISE THE STAKES Lock away the phones. Require time & focus. Create something worth a sacrifice. Find ways to "yank" people out of their distractions. Spectrum
52. Sometimes the best way to start is to fully reset your senses.
53. 53 Want to learn more? I’ll be sharing more world building tips on my newsletter. Join me! https://theg000ds.substack.com/ Spectrum
54. Thank you Questions? hi@liyasafina.com