Inside the Collaboration Behind Hyde & Seek
Immersive experiences rarely begin with a perfectly mapped out plan. More often, they start with a spark of curiosity, an idea that catches someone’s attention and refuses to let go.
That’s exactly how my collaboration with the Hyde & Seek team began.
How the Collaboration Started
I first discovered Tristen through a post on LinkedIn. Her story immediately stood out to me because I’ve always been interested in creating immersive pop up events and portable escape room style experiences. When I saw what she was building with Hyde & Seek, it felt strikingly familiar to the types of projects I had been imagining for years.
The concept caught my attention right away. Hyde & Seek wasn’t just another themed event. It was something entirely different, a dark romance inspired immersive experience designed specifically for women.
So I reached out.
What started as a simple connection quickly turned into nonstop conversations about ideas, storytelling, and how immersive events could evolve into something new.
When Creative Minds Click
Sometimes collaborations feel forced, but other times everything just flows naturally. That was the case here.
One of the first things I noticed when talking with Tristen was the excitement she had when brainstorming ideas. That same excitement is something I feel whenever I start imagining interactive puzzles or immersive environments, so it was clear pretty quickly that we shared a similar creative mindset.
When Vanessa joined the collaboration as well, the ideas really started to take off. Conversations that started with a single concept quickly evolved into dozens of possibilities.
Instead of protecting individual ideas, we build on each other’s thoughts. Even when an idea doesn’t immediately fit the event, we still explore it and often find that parts of it can inspire something better later on.
That openness to experimentation is what makes creative partnerships truly work.
The Roles Behind Hyde & Seek
Each of us brings a different strength to the project.
Vanessa leads the storytelling and narrative direction, shaping the world and tone of the experience.
I focus on designing the interactive puzzles and prop mechanics that allow guests to engage directly with the environment.
Tristen is the driving force behind Hyde & Seek, overseeing the vision and making sure all the moving pieces come together.
Together, the goal is to create an experience that feels cohesive, immersive, and exciting for guests from the moment they arrive.
Designing a Dark Romance Experience
If I had to describe Hyde & Seek in one sentence, it would be this:
It’s like stepping into a live dark romance novel.
The experience blends elements of immersive theater, mystery, nightlife, and interactive storytelling into something that feels seductive, mysterious, and unpredictable.
The upcoming Gangsters and Flappers themed event brings this world to life through atmosphere, performance, and interactive moments scattered throughout the venue.
My role has been designing puzzle elements that guests encounter throughout the night. Some involve electronic props and hidden mechanics, while others rely on observation, interaction, and collaboration between guests.
These puzzles lead participants to special prizes and unexpected surprises during the event.
There are also performance moments woven into the experience, including three live scenes where selected VIP guests are invited to join performers on stage, adding another layer of excitement and unpredictability to the night.
One of the most exciting challenges has been designing puzzles that match the seductive tone of the event. It’s a completely new creative space for me and one that pushes puzzle design in fun and unexpected directions.
Why Immersive Experiences Matter
Experiences like Hyde & Seek are becoming more popular for a reason.
People crave environments where they can step away from everyday life and become part of something different. Immersive events allow guests to focus on their surroundings, interact with other people, and engage with the experience rather than simply watching it.
Instead of scrolling on their phones, participants are solving puzzles, exploring the environment, and collaborating with other guests.
When done well, immersive experiences create moments that people remember long after the event ends.
What’s Next for Hyde & Seek
Right now we’re deep in the creative process, shaping puzzles, story elements, and guest interactions that will bring the Gangsters and Flappers experience to life.
What excites me most about this collaboration isn’t just the concept itself, but the energy behind it. Working alongside Tristen and Vanessa has reminded me how powerful the right creative partnership can be.
When people share a passion for building immersive experiences and respect each other’s ideas, something truly unique can start to take shape.
Hyde & Seek is just getting started, and I’m excited to see where this collaboration leads.
