Tryget(OVER)Phobia is an immersive virtual reality experience designed to support individuals, both children and adults, who suffer from Trypanophobia, the fear of needles and injections. Created in collaboration with my studio partner Louis Lambert, this project aims to reframe the injection experience in a clinical setting by using distraction-based therapy through engaging visual interaction.

The Project

The simulation transports the user to a calming, stylised mountain landscape, where they are invited to focus on a series of floating crystals. Using gaze-tracking technology, the user “locks on” to these crystals until they disappear, encouraging calm concentration and subtle cognitive redirection away from the medical procedure taking place in real life.

The design and functionality of Tryget(OVER)Phobia were shaped by three key considerations:

Hands-Free Interaction:
Given that the user would be seated during an injection and unable to use their hands, gaze-based interaction was chosen over traditional input methods. This allows for seamless, intuitive engagement with the simulation without requiring physical controllers, keyboard, or mouse.

Inclusive Visual Language:
The virtual environment was designed using low-poly, colourful visuals created in Blender. The landscape is playful and vibrant, striking a balance between imaginative and age-neutral. While it evokes a sense of escapism, it avoids overly childish aesthetics, making the experience suitable and engaging for both adults and children.

Time-Conscious Design:
The simulation is brief, designed to align with the typical duration of an injection appointment, from seating and preparation to the injection itself and aftercare. This ensures the experience is effective without overstaying its welcome or interfering with medical procedures.

Technically, the experience was built using the Oculus SDK with built-in gaze-tracking, ensuring responsiveness and comfort. All assets, including models and environments, were custom-designed in Blender, giving the project a unique and cohesive aesthetic.

Tryget(OVER)Phobia offers a practical, empathetic use of immersive technology to reduce anxiety in real-world medical settings, turning a moment of distress into one of calm engagement.