February 2018 – Jayden

PDIV – | 6-2 form of smell

” SMELL. “

Heng Tong x Hong Sheng

We have talked about the story behind our concept and what we would like to achieve in the end product for our project, we then went on to look at forms which suggests/ invites different modes of interaction with the artwork.

Previously Ker Siang suggested us to look at how air freshener bottles/ containers were designed, in such a way where it suggest olfactory element within the product.

Upon looking at them, we found that they do have a similar design language as to suggest olfactory element in the product.

One would be the organic form which resembles a flower(?) that they take on so as to convey the message of ‘fresh’ and nice smelling scents. This led us to ponder over the nature aspect of the brief, if we could introduce forms from certain plants/ flowers as an inspiration for the project.

Another design element some air fresheners have are holes as part of their design. This would easily communicate the idea that a product can give off a certain smell. Another practical reason for the holes is that without holes, particles would not be able to be dispersed into the air. We took this design element into our form consideration as we felt that without holes, there would not be exchange of particles and smell would not be effectively given off.

The last element of our observation is the colour selection. Air fresheners tend to utilize bright colours in their packaging as well as their actual olfactory product. We would say that the bright colours used are the colours that can be seen on plants and flowers, again suggesting the ‘fresh’ and nice smelling scents from nature.

Moving on, we went to look at how we can encourage people to approach the installation and interact with it.

Having Verner Panton’s work, Visiona 2, we want to steer the form of our installation to be ambiguous, yet functional at the same time. Having said that, our installation will not dictate any functions, instead we will let the users who interact with our installation dictate its function.

In order to allow the installation to ‘look’ ambiguous, we looked at structures which were made up of patterns. We thought that structural aesthetics will be able to maintain the installation’s ambiguity, and at the same time have space for people to interact with/ in it.

Above images are what we envision the structure of our installation could be. These structures give space for us to incorporate our smell absorbent materials in them, due to maintenance and sustainability considerations.

We also looked at how we would want to encourage people to touch and interact with out installations. As sponges can come in different shapes and sizes (we will look into suppliers or factories if they provide custom-made services), having them to be part of the installation would stand out from the under utilized space. With irregular shapes, people would want to touch and have the tactile experience. We are also looking into how we can mask our smell-absorbents underneath a thin piece of material, so that it can give a different tactile experience and at the same time absorbing smell.

To be continued.. …

PDIV – | 5 Exercise Sponge

” SMELL. “

Heng Tong x Hong Sheng

In the last week, we were encouraged to try collecting smells with the use of materials, hence we carried out the experiment shortly after. We used the ‘magic sponge’ that was used for the very first class exercise.

We went around school to ‘plant’ sponges and see if they do actually collect smell.

Exercise Sponge

Objective: Collect various smells around NTU campus through sponge.
Duration: 12 Feb 1800hrs – 14 Feb 1000hrs (approx. 40hrs)
Material: ‘Magic’ Sponge
Weather: Humid, Sunny, sans-rain

Locations:
1) ADM Smoking Area
2) ADM Water Fountain
3) ADM Verdant Turfed Roof aka rooftop
4) Canteen 2 Bus Stop
5) Sheltered Walkway, Opposite Blk 35F
6) Binjai Hall, Umbrella Shelter
7) Graduates’ Hall Bus stop
8) Fire Assembly Area, opposite Graduates’ Hall
9) Lamp Post along running track
10) North Spine Bus Stop
11) North Spine Fast Food Area
12) N.S3 Locker Area

Images of the locations where sponges were placed at:

*Click on images to view larger

Experiment Observations:

Conclusion:
In that short 40-hour-span, sponges did collect different smells from the various locations they were placed in NTU. Different parts of the campus do have a distinct difference in smell. Even though some of the sponges collected distinct scents, we were not able to specify the specific scent.

Considerations:
1) Sponges could be wet prior to placement at various locations for possible better absorption of smell.
2) Duration of experiment can be prolonged further, for weather testing.

Possible site exploration:

1) ADM Verdant Turfed Roof under-utilized area, can be considered as an area for congregation, but may disrupt clean greenery feature of ADM.

2) Running Track, open space

To be continued…

PDIV- |3 smell

SMELL

Heng Tong

Hong Sheng

In the previous week we made two models; one with a fragrant scent and one with a foul smelling scent.

Diving more into the topic of ‘smell’, we went on to do more research.

SMELL

‘Olfactory filaments that allows a cognitive response to the brain.’

Through our research and observations, we found that smell is an accompanying agent with other senses, and we human acclimatize to smell quickly due to sensory adaptation. Despite being one of the five main senses, smell tends to become a subset of the other senses.

Smell is also subjective, a pleasant scent might not be pleasant to others and vice versa. For example, to us, the foul smell which the Rafflesia gives off, is actually a pleasant smell to attract flies and beetles to pollinate.

We can use smell to identify a certain place or memory, like a prominent perfume scent when we step into A&F, an apparel label, or the smell of machinery when we are in the workshop.

As such, our aim is

To amplify scent as a defining element to a given space.

The first concept was derived from a sunflower, morphing it into a seat which can be shared by the public.

By amplifying the a stalk of the pistils from a bougainvillea flower, this concept is a shelter where people can seek shade or avoid the rain. Similar to the first concept, this concept also gives off an inviting smell to attract people to approach this product.

The last concept, is an idea that was conceived by thinking in another perspective which is to create a smell, instead of a product which gives off a specific smell. This way, the product can possibly be a seat, where a possible material such as a carbon filter sponge which absorbs smell. This would then give the product a unique smell over time, which no other material can give.

FEEDBACKS

– Ideas tend to sway towards a more literal approach
-Concept 3 could be a direction worth diving into
– Possible to look at other materials or methods which can provide ‘smell’
– Smell is a difficult topic to approach due to its subjectivity, yet could be an interesting project to work on
– Look into materials which has natural fragrance or scent, avoid using man-made scents (air-freshener)
– Take into consideration the location where the product can be placed in NTU and how it can benefit the users who interacts with it.
– Have a story which gives the product its value and identity