Betwixt
adventure, purpose, choice, relaxation, contentment, curiosity, emotion regulation, resilience, self-knowledge, insight
Betwixt was created by a team of psychologists and writers. You are the main character in a story. A blend of imagery, sound, and sensory-rich descriptions give the story an almost hypnotic feel. At the same time, choices offered encourage active participation at every turn.
Who is this for?
Adults or teens experiencing stress, anxiety, sadness, a sense of powerlessness, or struggles involving life purpose. Anyone experiencing difficulty sustaining attention may also benefit.
Commentary
One of the things that drew me to this app was its serene yet absorbing pace. In a screen-dominated world where media creators compete for attention with frenetic video sequences and clickbait, it was a simultaneously refreshing and soothing experience. Opening Betwixt is like stepping into another realm, a liminal space that instantly and naturally lulls the mind and heart into an open, receptive state.
The stories in Betwixt are dreams. As the main character, you’re given choices. How do you want to respond to your experience? Ordinarily, it might be tempting to click through choices just to get through the story, but this app creates such an immersive world that taking the time to think about each choice is calming and enjoyable.
Imagery from Betwixt:
The Impact
The creators of Betwixt have conducted research on the effects of their interactive narrative on emotion regulation, stress, and well-being with positive results. A clear overview of the science and research behind their design is available on their website.
Quotes
“The distinct combination of story and play that you find in Betwixt goes beyond delight; it’s actually key to the app’s positive impacts. Interactive narrative creates a low-stakes environment that enables experiential learning: a potent way of mastering new skills through self-driven exploration, rather than instruction. What’s more, Betwixt’s immersive experience has been designed to strengthen and focus attention, directing it to those areas where self-awareness can make the biggest difference.”
Source: Betwixt website
About the Illustration
A man hikes out into the snowy wilderness and stares at a distant horizon. For reference, I used a photo by Dino Reichmuth on Unsplash. Mr. Reichmuth is a filmmaker and photographer from Switzerland who is available for hire.
This is a quick illustration to help fill the blank “walls” of IMPACT illustrated. Please consider submitting your original artwork for inclusion in our gallery sections. All mediums and skill levels are welcome, as long as it’s from the heart.