Aera

Inspiration

Fragrance is one of the most personal products people use, yet the way we choose perfumes today is surprisingly imprecise. A scent that smells incredible on one person can smell completely different on another. This happens because every individual has a unique body scent chemistry influenced by skin pH, natural oils, and microbial activity.

Despite this, fragrance selection is still largely based on guesswork. We were inspired to explore what it would look like if technology could reveal this invisible layer of human sensory experience and help people understand how scent interacts with their body.

Aera was designed to imagine a future where people can discover their true scent identity and make fragrance choices that feel more natural, comfortable, and personal.

What it does

Aera is a speculative wellness tool that reveals a user’s invisible scent identity.

Using electronic nose sensing technology, Aera analyzes subtle scent compounds released from the skin and translates them into a visual scent profile. The system then recommends fragrances that naturally harmonize with the user’s body chemistry.

Instead of choosing perfumes through trial and error, Aera helps users understand how fragrances interact with their skin and discover scents that truly work for them.

How we built it

Aera was developed as a conceptual user experience prototype. We designed the interface using Figma, creating interactive flows that demonstrate how users would scan their scent chemistry, view their scent identity profile, and receive fragrance recommendations.

The visual design draws inspiration from Art Nouveau aesthetics, particularly the flowing organic lines and botanical motifs found in the work of Alphonse Mucha. We combined this inspiration with a minimal interface to ensure the design felt elegant while still remaining clean and functional for a mobile application.

Challenges we ran into

One of the main challenges was translating a complex and invisible phenomenon like scent chemistry into a simple and understandable interface. We had to carefully balance scientific accuracy with visual clarity so users would not feel overwhelmed by technical information.

Another challenge was maintaining a consistent design language. We wanted the interface to reflect the elegance of Art Nouveau while still feeling modern and minimal enough for a mobile app environment.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of creating a cohesive concept that connects technology, wellness, and sensory design. The project successfully demonstrates how an invisible biological process can be translated into an intuitive and visually engaging user experience.

We are also proud of the visual identity and interface design, which combines Art Nouveau inspiration with a clean and modern product interface.

What we learned

Through this project we learned how design can help make complex scientific ideas accessible to everyday users. We explored how speculative technology can inspire new ways of thinking about human senses and personal wellbeing.

We also gained experience collaborating on a design system that balances aesthetics, usability, and storytelling within a short project timeline.

What's next for Aera

In the future, Aera could expand into a more comprehensive scent intelligence platform. This could include deeper fragrance compatibility analysis, integration with retail environments, and personalized scent recommendations based on mood, environment, or daily routines.

We also envision Aera evolving alongside advances in sensor technology, allowing users to better understand the invisible sensory signals that shape their everyday experiences.

Built With

• figma