Kaorium

Fragrance Experience Device for Scentmatic Inc.

This interactive signage system offering a new way to experience and enjoy fragrances through the fusion of scent and language. Utilizing the AI powered technology Kaorium, which visualizes the characteristics of fragrances, users can delve into their personal perceptions of scents and explore descriptive words that resonate with their impressions. This allows them to discover fragrances that perfectly align with their individual sensibilities.

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Download Press Kit № 166218 Fragrance Experience Device for Scentmatic Inc. by Toshiharu Kurisu to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Kaorium by Toshiharu Kurisu

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Fragrance Experience Device by Toshiharu Kurisu

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Toshiharu Kurisu Kaorium

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Toshiharu Kurisu Fragrance Experience Device

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Scentmatic Inc Brand Logo

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Unique Properties

This interactive signage uses AI to put scents into words and visualize the characteristics of each scent, offering new ways to encounter and enjoy scents. To allow users to focus on the images evoked by the scent and words, visual elements are kept to a minimum, with text floating up on the tabletop for a simple UI. Finally, the desired scent is presented in a scene like a "babbling brook of fresh greenery," encouraging emotional engagement.

Tags

Kaorium, AI, fragrance, signage, device

Production Technology

Everyone perceives scents differently. Kaorium puts these diverse perceptions into words and presents them, but it wants to respect "how the user themselves felt" and not unilaterally limit its interpretation. With cognitive diversity gaining attention in the context of education and business, Kaorium believes it can contribute to fostering a culture of respect and mutual acceptance of differences in how people perceive scents.

Design Challenge

When the prototype was actually completed, it became clear that it would be difficult to elevate the scent into a valuable experience simply by describing it in words. Rather than assigning a fragrance professional, they took a more consumer-oriented approach, pursuing what consumers "want" and collaborated with the sake, sports, and education sectors to improve social and experiential value.

Project Duration

The project started in Japan in November 2019. The extrasensory experience of scent that Kaorium brings can be applied to various fields such as education, food and drink, art and entertainment, and shopping. Currently, we are developing tools for sensory education, food and drink experiences, and purchasing experiences for brick-and-mortar retail stores. We are researching further possibilities for use.

Operation Flow

Using natural language processing, Kaorium can replace scents with simpler expressions that beginners can understand, such as "soft," "soapy," and "clean." Existing methods to support product selection include "diagnostic content," which suggests products that suit users by answering questions in a questionnaire, but KAORIUM provides an experience that allows users to actually smell different scents and delve deeper into how they feel, creating a more satisfying experience.

Research

In order to verify the value of KAORIUM from a neuroscience perspective, joint research was conducted with the University of Tokyo. In a demonstration experiment at a fragrance shop, the entrance rate increased by 139% and the purchase rate increased by 287% compared to before the introduction. The use of KAORIUM overseas is also increasing, including an exhibition at the London Design Festival 2023 and its introduction at The Fragrance Shop, the largest in the UK.

Inspiration

This project began with the vision of "enriching people's sensibilities and senses through fragrance." Fragrances enrich our lives, but scents are vague and difficult to grasp, and each person perceives them differently. For many people, it is difficult to choose a scent that suits them from the vast selection available, so we thought that "words" would be the key to creating an experience that allows many people, including beginners, to enjoy scents.

Image Credits

Image #1: SCENTMATIC.Inc, Kaorium, 2025. Image #2: SCENTMATIC.Inc, Kaorium, 2025. Image #3: SCENTMATIC.Inc, Kaorium, 2025. Image #4: SCENTMATIC.Inc, Kaorium, 2025. Image #5: SCENTMATIC.Inc, Kaorium, 2025.

Project Overview

Kaorium Fragrance Experience Device has been a Silver winner in the Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

Toshiharu Kurisu was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Kaorium Fragrance Experience Device.

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