Memory Bottle
What if we could bottle memories to survive climate collapse?
The Memory Bottle uses scent-capture technology to store specific scents people want to cherish. This design aims to evoke critical thoughts about the impacts of air pollution and its likely effects on mental health. Designed to be a commonplace item in the future, it evokes feelings of uneasiness about the direct negative impacts of climate change on humans, while instilling a sense of urgency to protect what remains of our natural environment.
UI/UX Mobile
Speculative Design
Paper Prototype
Timeline
October 2024 - November 2024
Role
Speculative Designer
Tools
Paper Prototype
Figma
Class
Designing Interactive Experiences
Speculative Future
How might humans use technology to preserve their most meaningful experiences in a changing world
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Inspired by Dunne and Raby’s Speculative Everything, I explored how design can provoke reflection on future emotional and environmental challenges rather than provide direct solutions
Research Process
I began by researching how air quality impacts human well-being as I wanted to understand the invisible relationship between our environment and our mind/mental well-being. I thought of scents as familiar smells instantly transport me back to specific moments, making scent a powerful medium for evoking memory.
Initial Ideas
My initial idea was to create four specific scents that users could choose from and experience through a mask resembling an oxygen mask. I imagined “air stations” installed in public spaces, similar to water fountains, where people could refill their Memory Bottles with these scents as part of their daily routine.
Physical prototypes
Memory Bottle Features:
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Protruding button on the side that users would press to start the scent capture process
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Little tag where users can write something short to personalize the bottle (e.g. the scene, their feeling), like a mini diary
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Lid that opens and closes with a filter that filters out toxins and only takes in the scent molecules
First prototype
Iteration
While making my storyboard, I noticed several issues with my current bottle design:
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Change of form (rounder sides) to better represent comforting purpose and emotional nature of bottle
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Protruding side button is difficult to press without having to hold the bottle still
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Some kind of way to store a visual to better remember the specific memory/experience
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Easier way to “charge” the necklace
Final prototype
While making my storyboard, I noticed several issues with my current bottle design:
Mobile Interface
For the mobile interface, I focused on creating an intuitive experience with a dreamy aesthetic that reflects the bottle’s values and visual identity.
Key Takeaways
1. Design as a tool for conversation
2. Transforming abstract ideas into narrative driven design
3. Cohesive design language between the physical and digital
Through Memory Bottle, I explored how design can serve as a tool for conversation, inviting reflection on the emotional and environmental themes embedded in the concept. I also expanded my technical skills in Figma, developing a mobile interface that captures the sensory and emotional essence of the product. A key learning was creating a cohesive design language between the physical bottle and its digital counterpart, ensuring that both experiences feel connected and immersive.
Moving forward, adding a feature where users can share scents with each other will allow more social interaction and meaning.