Poplar Studio and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity collaborated on a world effect that allows children to virtually place a Christmas tree in their environment. The effect is an 8th Wall-powered Web AR experience, so all users need in order to access it is a mobile browser, rather than having to download any mobile app.

The tree comes with twinkling lights and decorations, including different-coloured Christmas baubles and animal decorations (Bumblebee, Butterfly, Caterpillar, Lion, Elephant, Kingfisher, Falcon, Fox, Robin, Koala, Bear and Panther). These animals represent the different wards in the Great Ormond Street Hospital, each of which is named after an animal. This creates a personalised experience for users, such as visitors and families, who are familiar with the animal theme.

When the Christmas tree first appears on the screen it rotates, so the user has a 360º perspective on it. They are then able to place it in their environment in whatever position they prefer. After this, the user is able to interact with the tree, making snow appear on the scene.

A ‘Try again’ button allows users to reactivate the experience and reload the tree, so that they can place it elsewhere if they wish to.

Finally, an image capture option allows users to take photos of themselves or their family around the Christmas tree, making it a family-friendly AR experience that can help families build memories around Christmas within the hospital.