Tamariki Toa was designed in collaboration with Yana Kulishenko. Tamariki Toa is an immersive hospital journey for children who experience chronic pain. It is in a fairytale format that is familiar to kids, so they have some more control over their experience. It has elements that distract, encourage play, and get kids moving - all things that decrease chronic pain. Tamariki Toa creates a defining endpoint that symbolises the end of each trip to the hospital for a sense of closure.
Kids are sent a storybook before their arrival to the hospital. A fairytale narrative is a structure they love and recognise. It soft launches the hospital before they get there and makes it less intimidating. Characters from the book are projected on the building, inviting kids inside with a friendly face. Kids can create a character and pick their costume on an interactive animated projection. They can see themselves projected alongside characters from the storybook. Trading cards give kids a sense of completion when they end their appointment, as well as being able to connect with others who are going through something similar to them.