Debbie Deer Productions

What happens when technology doesn’t just inform us… but holds us?

We’re beginning that exploration through Roots & Realities, an industry partnership with the Masters of Digital Media program at .

Led by my company  in collaboration with Saran James-Vaughan of Wellness by Saran, this studio and research initiative sits at the intersection of immersive technology, wellness, and human-centred design. Special thanks to Namir Ahmed for his partnership and guidance!

Together, we’re asking:
1) How can digital experiences support cultural belonging?
2) How might interactive storytelling build emotional resilience?
3) What new forms of universal connection become possible through design?

We’re honoured to explore these questions alongside emerging creators shaping thoughtful digital futures:

Introducing:

Ushna Khalid — Working through systems, infrastructures, and speculative design to understand how rules, interfaces, and frameworks shape the stories we experience.

Sathyaprakash Mahendiran — Bringing a fine arts lens into digital media, crafting visual experiences where motion, emotion, and storytelling meet.

Lucie Hunter — Exploring UX/UI, narrative, and creative technology to design digital experiences that connect, resonate, and invite reflection.
Roots & Realities is more than a project.
It’s a collaborative studio and research space investigating how technology can support identity, care, and community.

This partnership reflects our shared commitment to:

- Equity-centred design
- Wellness-informed technology
- Youth leadership and creative research
 - Immersive storytelling for impact
We’re curious about what emerges when students, research, and industry create together.
More soon!

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