Future of Entertainment

Innovation Diploma (iD) challenges students to think like innovators and be problem-solvers. A core element of the program is the “Future of” Design Series, now in its fourth year, which invites students to explore and reimagine the future of major industries. Following past explorations into retail, food, and air transportation, this year’s focus was entertainment.

Consistent with the approach to learning at Mount Vernon, The Future of offers the most sophisticated example of how design thinking principles and transdisciplinary learning intersect, where students work collaboratively on projects that blend research, prototyping, and real-world application. These experiences prepare students to tackle complex challenges while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Transforming Ideas into Immersive Experiences

Each year, iD students work in teams to develop four unique immersive experiences that envision the future of an industry. This year, teams were tasked with transforming spaces within the Upper School 3 North wing into interactive entertainment environments. Armed with a $500 budget, each team was responsible for designing and building their concept, pushing the boundaries of technology, storytelling, and wellness.

Room 1: Third Spaces – VAZIO

The VAZIO team explored how the future of public “third spaces” like coffee shops, parks, and other communal areas might look 20 years from now. Their project reimagined a dynamic, adaptable hub that evolves throughout the day. From a workspace in the morning to a social hangout by evening, a membership to VAZIO offered visitors virtual golf, game rooms, and collaborative zones to encourage connection and inclusivity across all age groups.

Room 2: The Ray Bradbury Library – VELDTORIUM

Inspired by Ray Bradbury’s dystopian story The Veldt, the VELDTORIUM team reimagined libraries as immersive educational spaces. Their project featured AI and VR technology that allowed users to explore the worlds of classic literature. By creating a fully immersive experience, visitors could step inside literary environments inspired by the content of the book they chose, such as exploring the desert while reading Dune, being surrounded in vastness of space, or the depths of an ocean; the experiences bridged the gap between technology and storytelling.

Room 3: Virtual Reality Living Room – FUTURE OF VR

The FUTURE OF VR team tackled the challenge of making immersive virtual reality experiences more accessible for in-home entertainment. Their design envisioned a living room equipped with cost-effective mixed reality technology, providing users with affordable and seamless integration of VR for gaming, exploration, and education.

Room 4: Social Media & Mental Health – VIBE ALIGN

Focusing on the intersection of social media, entertainment, and wellness, the VIBE ALIGN team designed a mental health-centered app and experience. The app uses biometric data to create personalized virtual environments that adjust to the user’s mood. Whether calming anxiety or boosting energy, VIBE ALIGN offered a glimpse into how entertainment can support emotional well-being.

The Process: From Research to Reality

The “Future of” Design Series immerses students in a professional-grade innovation process. Each team began by conducting research, interviewing experts in technology, design, and entertainment, and gathering feedback from community members. From there, they moved into brainstorming and prototyping, utilizing tools in the school’s Maker spaces to fabricate their designs.

Collaboration was key as students navigated challenges, refined their ideas, and worked within budget constraints to bring their visions to life. The iterative process emphasized resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving—skills essential for success in any industry.

Showcasing the Future

The project culminated in a public showcase, where Mount Vernon students, families, local corporate executives, and even the press toured the immersive rooms. Guests experienced firsthand the innovative concepts and professional-level execution that define the iD program.

Preparing for Tomorrow

By combining Mount Vernon’s design thinking principles with transdisciplinary work, iD’s Future Of design work equips students to tackle the challenges of the future proactively. This year’s exploration into entertainment highlighted the power of imagination and technology to create meaningful, human-centered experiences. Whether reinventing community spaces, libraries, or wellness apps, these students are not only designing the future—they are leading it.