Storytelling is as old as time itself, yet its magic endures as it ignites our lives and imagination. It has limitless powers to motivate, inspire, challenge, and change how we perceive ourselves and others. That is the core of Juliana Loh’s mission. Through her storytelling and XR design, Juliana elicits awe and wonder, inspiring us to fi nd our own wisdom and aspirations.
“I believe in the limitless belief of the Imagination and the power of well‑purposed design, empathy, and intention,” proclaims Juliana. “The moment you open up your soul to awe and wonder, the universe gifts you with a joyful, bold, and courageous voice.”
Described as a true artist and a pioneer in the XR storytelling space, she embodies immersive design by combining elements from her background in branding, education, games, visual arts, and narration to create beautiful, emotion‑fi lled immersive experiences.
She shares her knowledge of human behavior by creating workshops and experiences that build on diversity, empathy, commercial and imaginary design while utilizing emerging technologies. Her prominent project, ‘Awaken the Giants | Sinisteria,’ pioneered new ways to create social spaces, blurred the lines between art and technology, and united artists and audiences in mutual wonder. For this and her deû ning a new genre in XR design, she has received signiû cant worldwide recognition.
Last but not least, Juliana uses human design thinking techniques to build XR ‘exhibits,’ which were showcased in globally recognized VR and AR story‑centered international fi lm festivals. In 2022, as a Live VR Painter, she headlined the ‘Games in Music’ conference (held at the prestigious Chan Centre for Performing Arts, Vancouver, Canada) and painted in real‑time, accompanied by an orchestra. Currently, she is a sought‑after speaker and consultant within the social XR space.
Immersive Storytelling – with a Heart
At the heart of technology is the desire to improve our lives, but change sometimes causes disruption and confusion, especially between generations, cultures, and countries. Juliana’s work as an immersive designer helps to translate, bridge, educate and unite people so that they may cultivate meaning through their experiences.
“Whether new technologies are used to reach new audiences, re‑invent cultural institutions, or create new product opportunities, I create designs where technology is used in service of art and not the other way around,” Juliana shares.
Constantly pushing the envelope by empowering us with storytelling platforms, Juliana uses AI with stories and human‑centric design principles to provide a process‑oriented framework for discovery. She was selected as a jury member for Siggraph XR Theatre in 2022‑2023 and is looking forward to learning and sharing the best of what the world may offer through this.
Pioneer in XR
Juliana recently founded StoryXDesign to offer consultations for narrative‑based VR/AR projects, where she looks forward to facilitating creative strategies around story‑based projects. She designs projects for various clients, including VR Theatre and game companies, where she creates beautiful in‑world designs on numerous platforms.
The three pillars of her business include expertise in designing narrative‑focused emotional experiences in the XR space, workshop/education, and world/avatar design.
She is also thrilled to offer XR Empathy workshops using modern technologies to enable people to learn coping skills. “I designed and delivered an Empathy VR‑speci fi c workshop series called ‘Design to be Kind,’” recalls Juliana. “Contents were both site‑ and Zoom‑speci fi c, enabling children and/or adults to learn about empathy in a world of ‘misunderstandings.’ In the children‑focused workshops, the emphasis was on preventing bullying and role‑playing.
In Juliana’s words: “Hard work, humility, and the transformative belief that one person’s actions really can make a positive impact in our world.” Her pioneering work challenges conventional boundaries, captures the imagination of audiences worldwide, and cements her position as a trailblazer.
Diversity and inclusion, a human‑fi rst approach, and education are three themes at the forefront of Juliana’s worldview. “Representation is paramount,” states Juliana. “To fi nd a seat at the table, we must draw attention to biases while opening the door to opportunity.”
Emerging Technology, Emerging Talent
“Technology is always changing. Pioneering at the bleeding edge is not for the faint of heart. My work has disappeared so many times that I’ve learned to hold things lightly,” says Juliana. “Nothing is precious, yet everything is. Learning how to live within that paradigm is the key to success.”
Juliana’s artistic renditions have attracted worldwide attention for its enchanting depictions of diverse and enigmatic blue‑skinned humanoids. Her playful sense of humor is evident in her joyful AR projects, while her attention to detail is next to none. Juliana doesn’t just create worlds to visit; she creates complete destinations. She gives an insight into her creativity: “In essence, I am translating empathy into images and words that bring truth, play, and opportunities to a world in the midst of radical transformation.”
Immersive and Inspirational
As a creator of immersive and inspirational stories, what inspires her? Juliana says: “We are transitioning into an age of creativity and intuition.
While we still don’t see fl ying cars – yet – within a very short time, we fi nd ourselves at a precipice marked by the mainstream introduction of technological advancements: arti fi cial intelligence, augmented, mixed and virtual reality, digital twins, blockchain, robots, spatial computing and even neural brain implants. Combined with human ingenuity and care, they have the potential to bring great advancements to society as long as we respect the greater need for sound ethical practices, security, accessibility and transparency.
“All of these ‘breakthroughs’ compel us to decide how to use these tools for good,” she adds. “By affecting positive change and entertaining the impossible, we will continue to acknowledge, celebrate and use the arts as vehicles of in fl uence, inspiration, and change.”
A Message for the World
“It will take courage, empathy, inspiration, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical strength to navigate a new and ever‑changing world. Be curious. Be kind. Take care of your body. Challenge everything, ignore the naysayers, and, above all, embrace experimentation and play!”
VANCOUVER, CANADA
