Sniff Sneff

The sense of smell is very powerful. Scents can transport us back in time, evoke emotions, and aids in our survival. It is arguably one of the most important senses that we have. However, the study of olfaction has been largely overlooked due to its lack of tangibility and visibility. We, as humans, find it incredibly difficult to describe scents because the part of the brain that interprets smell is quite distant from the area that processes language. 

Smells can seduce or repel us, but we can not comprehend how the human brain gives them meaning. Although we process scents similarly, depending on varying personal experiences, everyone will have a slightly different reaction. It is for this reason that I chose to explore the mind map behind the sense of smell. 

Throughout my life, I have always had such visceral reactions to smells, good or bad. In my thesis, I recall the smells that have stuck with me and analyze the memories and feelings associated with them. As designers, we seldom consider the sense of smell as an influence or design tool. By focusing on how the sense of smell has impacted my life thus far and acknowledging it in the present, I will explore how scents can become a tool for design.