Short answer

Designers should actively consider and experiment with the use of scent to enhance user experience and create more profound connections.

Field: Classic Design
Source: Open Repository of the University of Porto (University of Porto) (2019)
Method: Literature review and artistic practice-based research.
Evidence: Moderate effect

The historical marginalization of smell in Western aesthetics has limited its recognition as a potent medium for artistic and design expression, despite its deep cultural significance elsewhere. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Open Repository of the University of Porto (University of Porto). Using Literature review and artistic practice-based research., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should actively consider and experiment with the use of scent to enhance user experience and create more profound connections.

Study

Classic DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Smell's Untapped Aesthetic Potential: Reclaiming Olfaction in Design

The historical marginalization of smell in Western aesthetics has limited its recognition as a potent medium for artistic and design expression, despite its deep cultural significance elsewhere.

Open Repository of the University of Porto (University of Porto) · 2019

Key Findings

01Western philosophical tradition has largely excluded smell from aesthetic discourse, prioritizing sight and hearing.
02In many non-Western cultures, smell plays an integral role in social and cultural organization.
03Contemporary artists are increasingly utilizing smell as a medium, challenging traditional aesthetic hierarchies.
04The perceived limitations of smell as an artistic medium stem from a lack of education and exploitation rather than inherent deficiency.

Application

Design takeaway

Designers should actively consider and experiment with the use of scent to enhance user experience and create more profound connections.

How to apply

When designing spaces, products, or experiences, consider how scent can be used to set a mood, communicate information, or enhance memory recall.

Project actions

01Research the cultural significance of different scents.
02Experiment with scent diffusion in prototypes to test user reactions.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the historical and cultural biases against olfaction in Western aesthetics and explore its potential as a medium for artistic and design creation.

MethodLiterature review and artistic practice-based research.

ProcedureThe research involved examining philosophical traditions that have historically devalued smell, contrasting this with cultures where olfaction is central, and engaging in practical artistic creation using smell as a primary medium to understand its expressive potential.

ContextArtistic and design practice, cultural studies.

Variables

IVUse of smell as a design element.

DVUser emotional response, memory recall, aesthetic perception.

CVVisual and auditory stimuli, context of the experience.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Highlights an under-explored area of sensory design.
+Connects artistic practice with theoretical exploration.

Limitations

It can be challenging to objectively measure the impact of scent and to ensure consistency in its perception across different individuals.

Reliability & validity

Reliability would be a concern due to the subjective nature of smell perception. Validity could be improved by using standardized scent delivery methods and a larger, more diverse participant group.

Think critically

To what extent can scent be considered a universal language of emotion and memory, or is its interpretation highly subjective and culturally dependent?

Design Principles

"Design should engage multiple senses to create holistic and impactful experiences, recognizing the aesthetic and communicative power of olfaction."

Designers often overlook the olfactory dimension, focusing predominantly on visual and auditory elements. Recognizing smell's aesthetic capabilities can unlock new avenues for creating richer, more immersive, and emotionally resonant user experiences.

What This Means for Your Design

We tend to focus on what things look and sound like, but smell is also a powerful way to create feelings and experiences, and designers can use it more.

How to use in your project

1.You can discuss how historical biases in design have overlooked certain sensory inputs, and how your project aims to address this by incorporating smell.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the historical underutilization of olfaction in Western design due to philosophical biases. By exploring smell as an aesthetic medium, it challenges designers to move beyond conventional sensory hierarchies and consider its potential for creating richer, more evocative user experiences.

Source

Open Repository of the University of Porto (University of Porto)

Chasing the Fragrant Silence - Smell as a Medium for Artistic Creation

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about smell's untapped aesthetic potential: reclaiming olfaction in design?: Designers should actively consider and experiment with the use of scent to enhance user experience and create more profound connections. Evidence: Open Repository of the University of Porto (University of Porto) (2019).
Why does "Smell's Untapped Aesthetic Potential: Reclaiming Olfaction in Design" matter for design?: Designers often overlook the olfactory dimension, focusing predominantly on visual and auditory elements. Recognizing smell's aesthetic capabilities can unlock new avenues for creating richer, more immersive, and emotionally resonant user experiences.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers should actively consider and experiment with the use of scent to enhance user experience and create more profound connections.
What were the main findings?: Western philosophical tradition has largely excluded smell from aesthetic discourse, prioritizing sight and hearing.. In many non-Western cultures, smell plays an integral role in social and cultural organization.. Contemporary artists are increasingly utilizing smell as a medium, challenging traditional aesthetic hierarchies.. The perceived limitations of smell as an artistic medium stem from a lack of education and exploitation rather than inherent deficiency.
What research method was used?: Literature review and artistic practice-based research..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2019 journal from Open Repository of the University of Porto (University of Porto).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing spaces, products, or experiences, consider how scent can be used to set a mood, communicate information, or enhance memory recall.
What are the limitations?: The research is heavily based on the author's personal artistic practice and subjective interpretation of smell's capabilities.