Scent Distiller Experiment No.2/3

Cinnamon powder

Diced apples

Herbal Chrysanthemum 

I also tried using the glassware I purchased a few weeks ago, however it did not seem to work (unable to retrieve pure liquid). It was boiling but looked like it was going to give way anytime.

I have a target to distill at least 3 scent per day for my scent library however I did not keep to the rule, but I promise I will! Over the past few days, I tried out a few other materials/objects such as cinnamon which does not really smell very pleasing. I am planning to distill by categories, but I am also planning to distill objects that are recognisable and are one of a kind. 

Problems encountered :

• Boiling flask is getting dirty and it is difficult to wash because of its shape
• Only have one boiling flask which is needed for the video shoot (needs to be in tiptop condition)
• Powder form are not nice things to distill because they tend to stain the glass
• Do not run on high heat/fire because it will cause powder to stain the glass

Also, I am currently waiting for the replacement of the broken flask I bought to arrive soon in case this current boiling flask decides to give up on me.

Recently, I found myself constantly sniffing objects in my everyday activity and considering if I should distill it. If not I would always be on a search on objects/materials that has smell. It is nice to know that I behave this way because I am paying attention to my senses more than usual and this is what I want to achieve with my outcome. 

Made Up Curiosity App Updates

New updates and layouts for the App, changes that are given much thought to and changing for the better. I looked through the function of the app again and edited them after realising some mistakes and errors which I overlooked during the earlier times. Also, thinking in the mindset of a user to make sure that the pages are linked and makes sense. Some of the functions and pages were relinked to keep the app as simple and as straightforward as possible.

New additions :

Login page 
Description page - reveals description of experience when user taps on picture
Profile page - Personal information and details to know a bit more of the user
Profile page - Icons that categorise experiences by the 5 senses

The app is in progress now and waiting for it to be done and transferred into a smart phone and then proceed with the video shoot and to be ready for edit in the couple of weeks to come. I've got so many things to learn and I learn on the way because I have not plan and done an app before.  I am excited yet nervous but also grateful for the help I'm getting for the making of the app.

@Madeupcuriosity

I created an Instagram account for this project which is linked to this blog space. Because I am constantly having my phone around, and it is so convenient to snap pictures on the go, I also like to take pictures of my process for my works. Sometimes when I am out for research or chanced upon interesting happenings I would always want to document the process. So I created an instagram for this project, to document the milestones and achievements of this project. Also, a space for others to view the process of this project and show some appreciation. 

App Playboard

The app play board that was used for the WIP showcase last week. The app play board is a transparent sheet of diagram with the app mock up being sandwiched in between two clear acrylic board. The main purpose of it was to allow people to understand how the app works through the simplest form. It is like a graphic table or chart that shows which screen page links to which on the real app. The play board was chosen to show on WIP because of the lack of time in churning out a prototype into the smart phone, hence an alternative was thought of to replace the prototype. However, I received feedback that it was rather confusing and perhaps a video of how the app functions would work better.

I've thought of other alternatives such a making a prototype and transferring into a smart phone and make a simple video showing someone using it. Or animate it through flash or after effects. Currently I am still trying to get the designs to be created into an app on a smart phone and video the function of it.

The Comments & Suggestions Box

During the WIP showcase, I specially left some slips of transparency with the header "Comments and Suggestions" on the table beside my works for people to leave a note. What I received were interesting comments and questions which sure helped me think of my project, while some left me feeling encouraged and some leaving me....clueless or at least something to ponder on. 

Amongst the five responses, two mentioned about the missing link in the idea of curiosity in the project. Also, through WIP and the peer critique I found out that my works did not really talk much about the concept and problem in depth, I jumped too fast into churning out outcomes based on my hypothesis. Hence I found the need in thinking about a way to talk about the problem, hypothesis and solution perhaps through a medium such as booklets or posters. A very minor outcome that speaks a lot about my project. Also, I realised that while I was doing my essay during the past semester and weeks, I had so many figures, research and information that can help people understand my project better. Which is lacking right now, so I am planning on sitting down and gather all the information and ideas I previously had in my head and CPJ, then translate them into my work. Yes, queen bunny.

Scent Distiller Experiment No.1

Today I finally got started with the experimentation of the scent distiller machine. I gathered a few materials and objects that has a distinctive and strong smell to start off the experiment because they have it will be easier to start with. I am also planning to try out with other objects that are not dealt with on our everyday life basis, or smells that will make people curious and wonder. Smells that will be categorised into different sections, and objects that are different be it a fruit, a flower, paper or even hair.

To make sure that the water will not sip through the opening of the condenser, I taped the rubber tube onto the condenser. In this way, water will not escape that easily and constant water will run through and not obstruct the experiment process.

At first, I struggled quite a little with the placement of the distiller. It was no where near the tap for input of water source, also the tube was not long enough. Hence some fine tuning and adjustment was made before conducting the experiment. 

The input of room temperature water from the tap and a small pail to collect the "wasted" water at the other end of the condenser which will be flushed out through the tube.

I tested out the experiment with a few objects that has a distinctive smell that is almost recognisable by anyone because it is commonly found in our daily activities. Objects that has stronger smell will determine if the distiller works well, hence I tried out lavender flowers, coffee and earl grey tea leaves. 

Firstly, pour clean water into the boiling flask and fill it up at the half mark, place the object with smell into the flask and then switch on the heat source which in this case is the fire stove. Once the water in the flask starts boiling, switch on the tap so that room temperature water will run through the condenser. The point of using cold water is to allow the gas formed in the boiling flask to pass through the condenser and change into liquid state. This way, the liquid collected at the other end will be pure with no impurities but has the exact smell. Once collected, I transferred the liquid into the glass bottles.

The collecting point where the liquid passed through the condenser settles. The coffee and earl grey tea also worked perfectly, I did try out with milo powder as well but it sort of got burnt at the bottom of the flask and stained the flask. Which I learned that powder formed objects is not something good to deal with in this experiment. So far, I managed to retrieve three colourless liquid that has the exact same smell as the object tested (collected).

From the experiment, I've made a few observations and learning points which will be useful if indicated in the manual for users:

• Water in the boiling flask should be filled till at least the halfway mark so that the water inside will not run dry so fast and the user do not have to keep refilling which will take a longer time to boil because both liquids are of different temperature
• Best to run on low heat once water is boiled, however it will be a slow process to retrieve scent liquid
• Tube connected to the tap and input into condenser should be attached to a high angle so that water can flow down stream which is easier that having water to flow upstream which will require more pressure which slows down the process of condensation in the condenser
• Controlling of the fire source is important because water should not be boiled too vigorously and rise too high that will allow the unsure substance in the flask to sip into the condenser which will not allow contents in the condenser to be pure  

A few more experiments will be done over these few weeks, so that by assessment I would be able to have a scent library that would serve as inspirations for designers.

The Essential Oil Burner by Page Thirty Three

While researching on how other designers go about designing products or coming up with solutions that are similar to mine, I found another interesting way of design, infusing the chemistry theme and applying it in another usual form. This is actually a essential oil burner that is kept very minimal with the use of science apparatus to make it more special. The design looks appealing and user friendly as well, might be something I want to achieve for my scent distiller kit.
"The Essential Oil Burner by Page Thirty Three draws reference to a classic yet refined science theme. The dark heaviness of the metal components and clamp create a beautiful contrast with the Tasmanian Oak hardwood base, and glass flask.The height of the clamp is adjustable, so the scientist can personalize to suit the size and strength of the candle and liquid."

Credits : http://www.pagethirtythree.com/collection/essential-oil-burner/

Scenter by Kawamura Ganjavian

"One particular scent can bring back more memories than a thousand pictures. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to store smells the same way we store photographs? SCENTER is a depository of scents. Concentrated personal fragrances can be stored inside compact cartridges, their scent being released through a nozzle upon pressing the bellows thus evoking the memories embedded in them."

An interesting idea and concept, which talks about how scents can link back to memories. Other than using a scent machine or distiller, this idea is another alternative that can contain smell. The design is portable and smart, which is something that I am looking for for my scent machine. 

By using the pump liked thing to push up the air into the container of objects that contains smell is easy and does not require much energy and effort. Most importantly, it works as a good solution to the problem. Definitely a good reference for my scent machine design. 



Credits : http://www.studio-kg.com/scenter/

Glow tea set : Augstina Bottoni

Augustina Bottoni is a product designer whose design in this case is a interesting alternative to boil tea and enjoy it. Also, it is visually pleasing to the eye because the design is just one of a kind. In the dark, it glows and acts like a dim light that contributes to the ambience and art of drinking tea. The boiling flask and bottom stand also look like something that can be found in a chemistry laboratory.

Recently I've been studying how distillation, evaporation and how heat can induce smell and taste. I've also been looking at different designs for essential oil burners and tea warmers. This idea of this design is a blend of both essential oil and tea warmer. 

"The aim of the project is to maximize the luminance and heat potential of a small candle. The tea set celebrates the process of slow tea making while showing it through a light effect, becoming a decorative object that brings a pleasant moment of contemplation.

The spherical shape of the glass bottle acts as a lens, magnifying the light of the candle, and showing the beauty of the tea.

Tea can be brewed slowly in 3-‐4 hours or can be used to maintain the infusion hot. The flask rotates in every direction for serving the tea. The strainer fits the cup, which has cork as thermal insulation."

Credits : http://agustinabottoni.com/post/61033186670/glow-the-aim-of-the-project-is-to-maximize-the

Play On Perspectives : Kaleidoscope projector

Play on perspectives is a project based on a collaboration of Detour and Made Up Curiosity. As both Detour and Made Up Curiosity both share a similiar goal which is to help designers get inspirations through seeing things in a different perspective. So the collaboration will be encouraging designers to have fun while drawing inspirations through using the sense of sight. 

Previously I had plans to build a kaleidoscope out of a test tube, it encourages designers to go around and collect objects that makes them curious and trusting their senses, it could taste unique or has a special texture. However there were some problem faced ; it is hard for the user to place the plastic stopper into the test-tube and glass allows too much light to enter and the visuals reflected on the acrylic mirror does not look clear. 

Wanlin, the project owner of Detour and I discussed on friday about our collaboration and the ideation of the outcomes we want to complete together. We've decided to do a series of outcomes, and for the kaleidoscope idea, we are planning to use the same brief but produce outcomes that has the same goal and objective but has different functions. We would most probably use a same logo to indicate that it is a shared project.

Hence, I showed her what I sourced a couple of weeks ago, that was the kaleidoscope projector. The contents of the tube is removable and can be exchanged with other objects, hence if it is possible I will replace it with a test tube if the dimension fits so as to sync with the other outcomes, which is the usage of chemistry apparatus. The purpose of this kaleidoscope still remains the same as before, which is to encourage designers to collect objects with the use of their senses that makes them curious and place into the test tube. After, the user will project the images formed by the objects through the kaleidoscope lens and from there see things in a new perspective and at the same time draw inspiration. Also, bringing play into the whole process of doing so. 

I've placed my order online and it will take 2 weeks before reaching my door step. In the meantime I will think of how to brand it, perhaps come up with a description or manual to help users understand the use of it and also an alternative if this product backfires.