May delivered a wave of breakthrough tools that blur the lines between AI creation, physical interaction, and consumer reality. Google’s I/O showcase dominated headlines with integrated AI workflows, while smart glasses evolved from prototype to practical. Meanwhile, immersive installations proved that spatial storytelling doesn’t always need complex tech – sometimes it’s about clever perspective and emotional design.

Here’s what caught our attention this month – and how we see it reshaping interactive experiences.

April marked a noticeable move toward more embodied, hands-free, and responsive XR experiences. Wearables progressed rapidly with new capabilities from Meta, Google, and Apple. Meanwhile, gesture-based spaces, real-time AI, and adaptive visuals pointed to a future where interaction centres on environment, instinct, and personalisation rather than screens.

Here’s what stood out this month – and how it’s shaping the next phase of interactive design.

Hologram display technology has moved far beyond science fiction. Today, as explained by our CTO Stuart Cupit, a wide range of display types bring floating imagery and depth-rich visuals into real-world spaces—from brand activations and pop-ups to exhibitions and retail windows.

This guide breaks down the core categories of holographic displays, outlines key use cases, and offers practical thoughts on where each works best.

While the term “hologram” is often used, most current technologies don’t use true holography. Instead, they create the visual impression of images suspended in space.

March was huge with innovation—from GDC 2025 headlines to major breakthroughs in generative AI, XR design tools, and next-gen AR hardware. We could easily dedicate this entire report to the progress in AI alone, but we’ve focused on the tools that genuinely shift how brands and creative teams can prototype, tell stories, and engage audiences.

It’s no small task narrowing this down from over 100 updates, but here’s our take on the innovations that matter most this month—with our thoughts on why they’re relevant, what we like, and where we see immediate application.

Emerging innovations in AI tracking and face-swapping are transforming interactive content. This month, real-time motion tracking gets a major boost with TouchDesigner’s new OpenPose plugin, while DeepFaceLab’s latest update makes AI face-swaps smoother and more realistic than ever.

Each month, we highlight the latest technological advancements alongside creative experiments that inspire us. This includes new AI tools, XR applications, and interactive experiences that can drive brand activations and immersive events. Our goal is to showcase innovations that are relevant for brands looking to push creative boundaries.

Here’s what’s new, how it’s shaping interactive experiences, and where these tools can be applied.

The metaverse has undergone a significant shift in the past few years. The initial wave of excitement from 2021-2023 led to major investment, but by 2024, scepticism grew as some platforms struggled to retain users. Headlines suggested the metaverse had failed, with brands pulling back or refining their strategies.

However, this is more of an evolution than a collapse. The focus has moved from speculation and over-promised potential to a practical evaluation of platforms, engagement strategies, and return on investment. This article explores where the metaverse stands today, how people are engaging, and what brands should consider when entering this space. Our insights are based on real project briefs, industry discussions, and hands-on experience in creating digital activations.

As technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, brand experiences are being reinvented. In 2025, the convergence of physical and digital realms—powered by innovations in VR, AI, biometrics, interactive LED technology, AR, wearables, and hybrid activations—is creating opportunities for brands to engage audiences in new, immersive ways. This post explores these trends in depth and demonstrates how forward-thinking brands can harness these technologies for unforgettable experiences.

As we move further into 2025, we reflect on a remarkable year of innovation, creativity, and boundary-pushing experiential projects. The digital experience landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and Solarflare Studio remains at the forefront, blending immersive technology with compelling storytelling across multiple industries. From large-scale interactive installations to AI-powered experiences, our work in 2024 set new benchmarks in engagement and innovation, and we are carrying that momentum forward into this year.

Festivals have always been a canvas for cultural expression – a place where art, music, and performance blend to create unforgettable experiences. Today, this canvas is being dramatically transformed by the integration of immersive technologies and innovative engineering, heralding a new era where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, offering festival-goers experiences that are as diverse and dynamic as the attendees themselves.