Revolutionizing Souvenirs: Scent Traveling Taiwan By Smell

Award-Winning Essential Oil Packaging Design by Jia-Rong Chang and Shu-Shan Tsai

The design, which won the Silver A' Packaging Design Award in 2022, was inspired by the need to create unique and engaging souvenirs that truly reflect Taiwan's character. The designers noted that while tourism is a significant source of income for Taiwan and a way to boost its international reputation, the country's souvenirs have become overly commercialized and unvarying, making it difficult to attract international tourists' attention.

Chang and Tsai sought to address this issue by transforming Taiwan's natural, cultural, and historical architecture into fragrance products. The 'Scent Traveling Taiwan By Smell' design uses scent to create an immersive experience, evoke emotional memories, and relive the international tourism scents that are touched by travel. The designers believe that in addition to commemorating the trip, one can also use the scent to introduce Taiwan to others.

The essential oil packaging design was realized using various materials, including gypsum and pigment for the diffuser stone, glass and a plastic cap for the essential oil bottle, and a matte plastic outer box, hardcover carton, sponge, and art paper for the packing box. The design is operated by dropping the essential oil on the diffuser stone, allowing the user to observe the essential oil winding along with the pattern of the diffuser stone while smelling the fragrance. This creates a simultaneous memory in two senses - smell and sight.

The project, which started in Taichung, Taiwan in August 2021, was completed in April 2022 and exhibited in Taipei, Taiwan in June 2022. The design process involved extensive research, including scent chemical extraction experiments and observation of daily life. The designers faced challenges in the development of taste and design thinking but overcame these through discussions with teachers, online research, and seeking professional assistance.

In conclusion, 'Scent Traveling Taiwan By Smell' is a unique and innovative design that offers a fresh perspective on souvenirs. By using scent to create an immersive experience, designers Jia-Rong Chang and Shu-Shan Tsai have successfully brought Taiwan's natural, cultural, and historical characteristics to life, offering a unique way for tourists to remember their visit and share their experiences with others.