Swellsmell
Wearing a mask to avoid viruses are plus, but for the authentic smells in New York City? Maybe, not so much. SwellSmell is a multi-sensorial wayfinding system that expands beyond the horizons of sight, sound, and haptics. It reminds individuals that smell is a powerful tool to construct their unique experiences of Lower Manhattan. SwellSmell partnered up with Olfactory NYC located in Lower Manhattan, an authentic scent studio that emphasizes in creating unique smells tailor-fit to their customers. They pay attention to ethically sourcing their products and involve their customers in the creation process for the best produce. This collaboration will become a resource for both NYC locals and visitors to remember their time with the smells surrounding them.
The Challenge
One of the prominent challenges that surfaced in creating the project was identifying the necessary technology, and implementing the functioning system into a physical structure. Through meticulous research, a lot of information was gathered for learning to work with the E-nose. E-nose, a technological device that captures certain chemicals in existing scents to identify them. The identification process takes place within the E-nose by creating data patterns of the detected chemicals and establishing a data pool. This technology was already put in to use with multiple other projects but the actual obstacle was introducing an AI to revert the collected the data into coding material to create motion graphics. Continuing the expanded research, various combination of coding softwares were put into use to receive a successful outcome which led to utilizing a sequential design system. The AI would use Phyton coding software to develop a default 3D model for each chemical and eventually each smell. The AI would recognize each data that has previously entered its system and will automatically develop the 3D model. For real time data visualization, The AI would use Javascript coding software to translate the 3D model into a live motion graphic map.
Project Vision
The human brain associates smell with emotional memories. At the heart of Downtown, the intersection of multiple cultures comes together. There are more than thousands of odors present therefore more than a million distinct experiences can be formed and be remembered. Swellsmell will encourage individuals to step away from burst photos and encourage them to trust their noses for remembering their experiences.
The drawings feature the dimensions, the materials and the technical equipment of the signage. The drawings also feature zoomed in graphics and iconography belonging to the map.
The image showcases the day and night visions of the map signage. It also features the odor palette that is displayed
in the olfactometer side bar.
The image shows the color palette, the visual identity and the material palette. It also features snapshots of the swellsmell smartphone app for mobile use.
Design + Execution
The wayfinding system is made out of two components. The first one is map signage, a double sided rectangular led display screen with an implanted AI and an E-nose within its interior converting chemicals of smells into real-time numerical data. Each smell represents a unique color accompanied by a coded legend, Olfactometer, and a timestamp for the live display throughout the day and night. The second component for creating deeper user engagement, SwellSmell has a smartphone app that offers users to utilize the information without being present next to SwellSmell signage. The app will be able to import the data present from the signages with a percentage system. The app has a customization setting for users to create their own color for the wayfinding system. The users also have the ability to input the unique smells they are smelling to be featured as a part of the real-time data.
The render shows the signage’s day vision with a lighter background. The upper right corner contains a olfactometer side bar with the present smells in the area.
The image showcases the project’s custom iconography for landmarks, parks and underground transportation and
their representations on the map.
The render shows the signage’s night vision with a darker background. The upper right corner contains a olfactometer side bar with the present smells in the area.
Project Details
Design Team
Naz Ertugrul
Photo Credits
Naz Ertugrul
Open Date
February 2021