ISE 2025 Wrapped

Looking for the next big thing in immersive experiences? We braved the crowds at ISE 2025 so you didn’t have to, to hunt down the technologies that are set to change the way we interact with audiences.

A clear champion

Remember our 2024 trends report? Well, someone (ahem, us) called it: Transparency is officially everywhere. ISE was practically swimming in holographic-like displays, and honestly, we’re not even a little surprised. This technology’s surge in popularity stems from its unique ability to seamlessly blend physical and digital realms, unlocking a whole new level of immersive fun that’s shaking things up.

The event showcased numerous mind-blowing applications that highlighted the technology’s versatility. SAMSUNG wowed us with museum displays that resurrected ancient artifacts right before our eyes. LG was playing the retail game right, too, letting shoppers get hands-on with products while also playing around with digital customization on transparent OLED.

LANG stole the show with a Muxwave waterfall installation. You didn’t just see it; you felt like you were wading through a waterfall!  Complete with mirror pools reflecting digital water splashes, the experience was a great example of how this technology can be masterfully integrated with set design to create truly magic environments.

While Muxwave continues to lead the pack with unparalleled transparency and content clarity, the market is diversifying. A range of products at various price points is emerging, making this technology accessible to a broader spectrum of clients and projects. This technology is not just a passing trend; it’s shifting the trajectory of visual communication. We may even begin to see transparent LED creating immersive and interactive experiences in our everyday environments. Forget boring old appliances; imagine smart fridges showing off your dwindling milk supply or mirrors turning into your personal newsfeed. We feel confident in predicting that this technology won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Smoke and mirrors done right

Let’s talk about illusions—and no, we’re not talking about trickery or deception. At ISE, we saw some incredible examples of how clever design can deliver jaw-dropping effects without breaking the bank. Take Epson’s projection onto a quarter sphere. By strategically positioning mirrors, it created the illusion of a full 360-degree glowing orb.

Or the subtle yet genius use of projected shadows on the floor beneath SAMSUNG’s LED screens displaying 3D content—those shadows made the 3D visuals feel even more tangible and immersive. Here’s the thing: just because something isn’t real doesn’t mean it’s not effective.

Would you feel cheated when you realized it wasn’t a full sphere? Probably not. Why? Because it still looked incredible, drew you in, and made you feel something. Visual impact and emotional resonance are what truly matter in immersive experiences. If an illusion works, does it even count as an illusion anymore? Or is it just smart design?

The takeaway is simple but powerful: creativity beats complexity. When budgets or technical constraints come into play, clever illusions can achieve just as much—if not more—than costly, over-engineered solutions. It’s about designing with purpose and focusing on how an audience experiences the moment. Sometimes, a little creative sleight of hand is all you need to leave a lasting impression.

Sustainable solutions

Sustainability was at the forefront of conversations at ISE, and we are here for it. We stumbled upon some game-changing innovations that are sustainable in more ways than just ‘green’.

First up, LED Studio knocked our socks off with their award winning new product: Eclipse, an energy-saving LED display that:

1. Automatically shuts off when there’s no video input; resulting in an average decline in power usage between 8%-15%. Talk about a no-brainer for cutting down on those sneaky standby power costs.
2. Stay’s cool to the touch, opening up endless possibilities for installations in heat-sensitive environments.

No more sweating over scorching displays or eye-watering energy bills. It’s a win-win for both planet and pocket!

Now, let’s talk about Beeblade’s ‘Nexus’, Hives powerful new media engine – It is the first stable 8K 60fps SDM media engine with HDMI genlock. In plain English? It can play very high-resolution videos at a high frame rate, which results in a smoother and more realistic viewing experience. Its clever design also means it can be inserted directly into projectors and displays. This seemingly simple feature is a game-changer, driving industry-wide efficiency and cost reductions.

The takeaway? Sustainability in our industry isn’t just about being green anymore. It’s about smart, efficient designs that make sense for businesses, creatives, and the environment. These innovations are proving that we can have our cake and eat it too – stunning visuals, practical applications, and a cleaner conscience.

CAN touch this

There were plenty of opportunities to get hands-on with interactive demos at ISE 2025, but a few standouts had us convinced that interactive experiences are about to level up big time.

Stage Precision and Augmenta are basically handing creatives the keys to the kingdom by breaking down barriers to entry and reducing development times. Stage Precision’s SP Grid is a visual programming interface, like Photoshop for interactive experiences. It makes it easier to build and control complex media systems. Think drag-and-drop, not lines of code. Augmenta revealed their upgraded multi-person tracking. It is so smooth and intuitive; it’s practically reading minds. The result? Interactive spaces that actually feel interactive, with seamless real-time connections between audiences and visuals. This means artists get to spend less time waiting on tech development and more time, you know, being artistic.

Another demo that really excited us was Displax and Interactive Scape’s touch displays that recognize objects. Yes, you read that right. Your phone, a product, a custom-designed puck and even a magnifying glass can trigger different actions. It’s like giving a screen a brain. And it gets better – their touch-ready foil can transform virtually any surface into an interactive playground.

We’re rapidly approaching a reality where almost any surface can become a canvas, and everyday objects become the key to unlocking richer, more engaging experiences.

Ready to bring some of this magic to your next project? Give us a shout – we’ve got ideas to share!