Innovative Scent Creation A Sensory Experience

by Mats Drent

What does the Scent Table medium look like that uses light, tactile design and object detection to allow users to explore the depth of scent, thereby revealing the world of scent to its users?

Scent Creation | Tech | Perfume | R&D | EveryHuman

During the course of my graduation project I have demonstrated through application and combination of several disciplines in the fields of scent design, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and industrial design that the conceptual idea of a Scent Table is a viable one and holds great promise to one day revolutionize the world of personalized fragrances.

“Creating an immersive, multi-sensory experience that redefines fragrance creation through interactive technology and innovative design.”

The world of fragrance is very much dictated by the fragrance houses, meaning there is little opportunity for ordinary people to experiment on their own. This is quite unfortunate because the sense of smell is such an important and emotional experience for us all, even when we’re not always actively aware of it.

The problem lies in the creation process. A lot of knowledge is needed to create a fragrance, so much so that an ordinary person would not know where to begin and would need a lot of time to learn even the basics of scent creation. So how can this process be made accessible to every human?

The company EveryHuman created a platform in which users can create their own fragrances based on their personality with the help of a questionnaire and three AI models. This is a great way to help people create their own fragrances, but it is not complete yet, because after the questionaire the user does not play a role in the further creation of the fragrance.

Creating a new way to open the world of fragrance

The Scent Table is an innovative, interactive platform designed to create personalized fragrances. Commissioned by EveryHuman, this project combines advanced technology and human-centered design to offer users a multi-sensory experience. By using object detection, tactile interaction, and visual feedback to the user, the Scent Table guides them in exploring various fragrance accords and lets them craft unique perfumes that match with their personal preferences.

The project involved extensive research and development across multiple disciplines, such as mechanical engineering, fragrance formulation, and interactive design. The main challenges were in the area of developing the optimal method to deliver scent, increasing the tactile experience, and making sure the technology integration was responsive and reliable. The result in the form of the final prototype is a solid basis for further developments in the personalized fragrance technology.

This project shows the explorative approach to scent creation, and focuses on the combination of art and technology to offer a deeper, more engaging user journey into the world of fragrance.

About Me

As a designer, I thrive at the intersection of art and technology, where aesthetics and functionality meet. My fascination with technology fuels my passion for creating new technical solutions tailored to my project needs.

I excel in rapid prototyping, using my extensive knowledge of CAD software and expertise in various additive manufacturing techniques. By observing and adapting existing real-world techniques, I can efficiently develop complex prototypes. My approach to experimentation blends engineering precision with a playful testing phase. I prefer to create numerous prototypes, each providing valuable insights, rather than trying to create a single perfect product version.

To keep growing as a designer, I constantly try to develop in new areas. I’m quick to adapt to different scenarios, such as new teams and new techniques, and with these skills I excel in teams, but I can also work alone to really immerse myself in the problems I’m trying to solve.

Exploring Fragrance

In my research for the Scent Table, I focused primarily on how users would experience scents, investigating both the delivery method and the composition of fragrances. Initially, I explored common fragrance sampling methods, such as blotter sticks. I did this by observing people smelling parfume at different locations. Although blotter sticks proved unsuitable for the Scent Table due to air contamination from sprayed molecules, this investigation led to the idea of using odorless materials like porous stones and ceramics. I experimented with various materials to find those that maintain purity and longevity of scents. I did this by setting up test stations and with the help of a perfumer from EveryHuman we were able to find the best materials. I also investigated different dilutions to find one that would have the right strength and would last the longest. (Details cannot be disclosed due to company confidentiality.)

This phase of the project also involved using reed sticks to effectively absorb and diffuse fragrances into the chosen materials, refining the setup to prevent scent absorption by the test station itself. This comprehensive approach, supported by the perfumer team, helped me fine-tune the scent delivery and formulation aspects of the Scent Table, ensuring a more engaging and enduring user experience.

A Tactile Experience

While developing the Scent Table, I prioritized creating an immersive tactile experience for users through fragrance containers called "Scent Domes." These domes are designed to be visually uniform to prevent optical bias and are shaped to encourage playful interaction without needing instructions. I began my design process by researching how object properties can encourage touch, utilizing insights from the paper "Please Touch: Object Properties that Invite Touch." This highlighted the importance of creating a sense of mystery in the design to encourage user interaction.

Initially, I used a 3D printer to create plastic Scent Domes, but the texture and weight were too light and did not encourage touching. I then shifted to clay and ceramics, which offered a better tactile experience. To overcome challenges with molding domes by hand, I built a 3D clay printer, allowing more controlled and uniform production. After optimizing the printing process through adjustments in clay density and air pressure, I successfully produced ceramic Scent Domes that were received positively for their weight and texture. Future iterations will focus on refining the dome shapes based on customer feedback to optimize the sensory experience.

A Deep Dive Into Tech

For the Scent Table project, I categorized the necessary technology into two primary types: experience-oriented and scent-oriented. The experience-oriented technology involves rapid object detection and visual light representation to ensure users receive immediate feedback during their interaction with the Scent Domes. Quick feedback is critical because a long delay can interrupt the natural experience and decrease user engagement. The scent-oriented technology is crucial for maintaining the integrity of fragrance accords, focusing on preventing oxidation and cross-contamination to ensure the scents remain true to their design.

To understand these technical requirements, I explored RFID and NFC technologies, which are ideal for accurate and fast object detection. Transitioning to a lower frequency RFID system allowed for robust detection through materials like wood and plastic, which helps in seamlessly integrating the technology into the table's design. This system also supported simultaneous readings from multiple units without signal interference. For visual feedback, LED rings were implemented around the Scent Domes to indicate proper placement and enhance user interaction with dynamic color displays.

To address cross-contamination, I engineered a mechanical solution using a cam design mechanism to conceal reed sticks within the table when not in use, ensuring an efficient system with minimal maintenance requirements. This mechanism is scalable and adaptable, designed to meet the final specifications of the table effectively.

Designing The Table

The design of the Scent Table is crucial as it serves as the centerpiece, housing RFID readers, fragrances, domes, lights, and software, and is the first element noticed by users. Prioritizing form over function, I focused on creating an inviting and aesthetically pleasing form. This approach stemmed from observations that people were not naturally drawn to a basic table setup during trials. Inspired by the eye-catching perfume machine from EveryHuman, which stands out due to its industrial look with sharp metal corners and exposed electronics, I aimed for a contrasting design for the Scent Table, going for a more organic shape and natural materials like wood or stone to create a softer, more approachable look.

Further insights were gained from a desktop version of the Scent Table showcased at Milan Design Week, which highlighted the importance of layout and spacing of the scent elements for user interaction. Users felt hesitant to handle the closely packed fragrance bottles. This led to the decision to space the domes at 70mm apart in the final design, balancing compactness with ease of access. Transitioning from parametric to organic modeling posed a challenge. I undertook online workshops to learn about T-splines and organic modeling, enabling me to create several scale models for the table. These models were orignally out of shape, but later were refined to enhance visual appeal and functionality.

A Functioning Prototype For Future Development

The final result of my graduation project is a functioning prototype that is capable of bringing the essence of the Scent Table to life. With the help of object detection, visual stimulation and tactile interaction, all combined in an organically and aesthetically designed object, future users of the Scent Table will be able to embark on a new type of journey: discovering and composing their own unique and personal fragrance, by themselves.

With the Scent Table, every human can now become a perfumer, exploring and expressing their identity through a personalized scent, without the need for a master’s degree in perfumery.