UnMonsters
Partnering with BayCare to create a unique experience for hospitilized kids
Making Hospital Visits Less Scary for Kids
When BayCare’s creative director and our team sat down for a coffee, no one could have predicted that the conversation would spark the creation of UnMonsters, a groundbreaking mobile game aimed at easing the fears of young patients facing medical treatment.
The challenge was clear: how can you make a hospital experience, which many children find intimidating, feel a bit less scary and more approachable? The solution? Take the very concept of “monsters”, something children naturally fear, and reframe it into something fun, friendly, and ultimately conquerable, just like the medical challenges the children face.
The Concept
The UnMonsters app was designed to help children better cope with their hospital experiences by presenting traditionally scary things like hospital procedures as friendly, non-threatening characters. The game’s central theme revolved around monsters who weren’t frightening at all; in fact, they were often quirky, endearing, and sometimes even silly.
The monsters, including characters like Jitters, Tizzy, Fretta, and Ooz, represented various elements of the hospital environment, things that might intimidate kids but were, in fact, part of the process they could master. Just like the hospital staff and treatments, these monsters weren’t to be feared. Instead, they were to be overcome in an adventurous, playful way.
Fleshing Out the Character and Game Design
At the heart of UnMonsters was a deep collaboration between our team and BayCare’s marketing team. We were responsible for crafting the game’s visual elements, creating and illustrating the monster characters, and imbuing them with personalities that would resonate with children. The team wanted to ensure that these characters weren’t just lovable, they had to be fun, engaging, and filled with positive traits.
The game’s illustrations were designed to be colorful, approachable, and full of personality, helping children connect with the characters on an emotional level. The development process was iterative, with regular input from pediatric patients and their families to ensure the monsters and gameplay would truly resonate.
Building the Game
The game itself is a round-up style game built in Unity, where kids can “catch” the monsters in different areas of the hospital, gradually learning about and conquering each one. The monsters aren’t just obstacles, they’re challenges to be understood, managed, and ultimately befriended. This not only helps normalize the experience but also educates kids in a fun, engaging way.
By interacting with the monsters, children are gently introduced to the sights, spaces, and experience of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, helping reduce anxiety and build confidence before they ever walk through the doors.
UnMonsters’ Impact
Since its release, UnMonsters has helped young patients view their hospital experience in a new light. By the time they’ve “caught” all the monsters, many children are more comfortable with hospital visits, whether for a check-up or a more intensive treatment.
The game has received positive feedback from both parents and hospital staff, with many commenting on how it eases the anxiety children often feel when entering the hospital environment. The positive reception was a testament to the success of the collaboration and the importance of creativity in healthcare.
A Lasting Legacy
The game continued to evolve, with BayCare expanding its reach and impact. In 2019, the UnMonsters initiative expanded further with an exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa, where children could interact with the characters in real life. This exhibit further solidified the app’s role in reshaping the hospital experience, blending entertainment with education in a unique, meaningful way.
