s sense - an interpreting device for anosmics by omer polak

s sense – an interpreting device for anosmics by omer polak
all images courtesy of omer polak

this graduation project by israeli designer omer polak combines both design and neuroscience. the odor learning project ‘s sense’ was developed in collaboration with weizmann institute of science and the technology of ‘sent 2 you’. originally, the work came from personal research on odor where omer polka tried to experience the world through smells and without them. the designer experimented with a designated mask that helped him to learn his own smell. the key element to the project ‘s sense’ is a device that helps anosmic people, (those who have reduced smell receptors) to learn different types of odors by biofeedback. the device diffuses pleasant / unpleasant odors and simultaneously appears on the computer screen with a compatible image and sound. mysterious and elusive, smell affects almost every aspect of people’s lives and experiences in the world – it is also a major component in taste, memories, mood and sexual attraction. there is a strong connection between colors and emotions, various scientific studies prove how color affects human physiological responses. the developed device is based on the premise that we often experience the world through sight and hearing senses – by matching a compatible smell, sound and image, the anosmic user can understand whether a certain smell is positive or not.  

golden nose, self portrait in jungle, sharpen your sense

self olfactory experience

 
the movie ‘s sense’, an anosmic learns to smell by using a learning device + biofeedback software in the computer

pleasant imagery, biofeedback software for learning odor

unpleasant imagery, biofeedback software for learning odor

odor learning device

odors spreading boutonnière for explicit and extroverted use

odors spreading boutonnière for explicit and extroverted use

odors spreading ring for hidden and personal use 

odors spreading ring for hidden and personal use

 
demo for odor learning device

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.