Abstract
This study presents Scent Camera, an interactive olfactory device designed to facilitate emotional regulation among young individuals experiencing stress. It investigates the potential of scent in triggering emotional memory and modulating mood through a multisensory interaction that bridges visual and olfactory perception. Users take or upload an image, which is then analyzed by the device in terms of visual elements and color composition; based on this analysis, a corresponding scent is emitted to evoke related emotional responses. Drawing inspiration from the “capture-and-preserve” logic of analog photography, the design reimagines visual memory as an olfactory experience—shifting the act of remembrance from seeing to smelling. Importantly, this metaphor is framed conceptually rather than literally: the device does not record actual scents but generates approximate blends that reinterpret visual data into mood-related olfactory outputs. The system also supports customized scent-memory associations, enabling users to relive personal moments via a unique sensory pathway. By transforming static imagery into immersive olfactory interactions, this work extends the scope of aromatherapy and proposes a novel, emotionally resonant medium for mental wellness.
Keywords
interactive prototype; sensory design; olfactory interface; emotional wellbeing
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.480
Citation
Li, C., Jiang, Y., Luo, X., Feng, R.,and Huang, K.(2025) Scent Camera—An Aromatherapy-Based Emotional Soothing Device., IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taipei, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.480
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 3 - Design, Art & Technology
Scent Camera—An Aromatherapy-Based Emotional Soothing Device
This study presents Scent Camera, an interactive olfactory device designed to facilitate emotional regulation among young individuals experiencing stress. It investigates the potential of scent in triggering emotional memory and modulating mood through a multisensory interaction that bridges visual and olfactory perception. Users take or upload an image, which is then analyzed by the device in terms of visual elements and color composition; based on this analysis, a corresponding scent is emitted to evoke related emotional responses. Drawing inspiration from the “capture-and-preserve” logic of analog photography, the design reimagines visual memory as an olfactory experience—shifting the act of remembrance from seeing to smelling. Importantly, this metaphor is framed conceptually rather than literally: the device does not record actual scents but generates approximate blends that reinterpret visual data into mood-related olfactory outputs. The system also supports customized scent-memory associations, enabling users to relive personal moments via a unique sensory pathway. By transforming static imagery into immersive olfactory interactions, this work extends the scope of aromatherapy and proposes a novel, emotionally resonant medium for mental wellness.