RIT Croatia’s winning project, The Last Weavers, to shine at Imagine RIT 2026
Photo credit: Travis LaCoss / RIT
We are proud to announce that a student team from the Zagreb campus has been selected to represent RIT Croatia at the Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival, taking place at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York!
The team consists of Mia Katarina Borjanović McGuire, a senior New Media Design student, Laura Kentera, a junior Web and Mobile Computing student, and Isabell Repalust, a senior International Business student. Their project, The Last Weavers, is an immersive virtual reality experience designed to preserve the endangered craft of traditional basket weaving from Međimurje, a region in northern Croatia with a rich artisan heritage. Through the VR experience, visitors are guided step-by-step through the process of weaving a basket by a virtual craftswoman named Kata.
Visitors at Imagine RIT will be able to step into a virtual workshop in Međimurje, progressing through interactive stages of the weaving process using VR controllers while spectators follow the experience on a screen in real time. After completing the virtual experience, participants will also have the opportunity to examine an authentic handwoven basket sourced from a local artisan.
The team's mentor, Professor Velebit Mirić, believes the project stands out for its ability to combine technology with cultural preservation. “This allows every attendee to step out of the Imagine RIT floor and into a different dimension, while learning by doing and building something with their own hands,” he explains.
About Imagine RIT
Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival is an annual event at the Rochester Institute of Technology that showcases the ingenuity and talent of students, faculty, and staff across all disciplines. Featuring cutting-edge exhibits, interactive demonstrations, and groundbreaking research, Imagine RIT serves as a platform for forward-thinking ideas that push the boundaries of technology, art, and design. The Global Competition recognizes outstanding projects from RIT’s international locations, celebrating innovation on a worldwide scale.
We congratulate Mia Katarina Borjanović McGuire, Laura Kentera, Isabell Repalust, and Professor Velebit Mirić on this remarkable achievement and wish them great success as they present their project at Imagine RIT on April 25, 2026.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to all the teams who applied, showcasing an incredible range of creativity, innovation, and dedication. Your hard work and inspiring projects contribute to the vibrant and forward-thinking spirit of RIT Croatia, and we look forward to seeing your continued success in the future!
