On 22 October, at the close of the Forum at Fiera Milano Rho, Marco Vigini and I led a Profumo di Network experience. With a scent strip in hand and a few words of introduction, scent became the starting point for conversation.
Marco wrote that, after twenty minutes, it had become difficult to bring the activity to an end. That observation rings true for me. Of everything I took away from the event, it is what pleased me most.
Beginning with a perception
When we introduce ourselves in a professional setting, our role and company are often the first things we share. In this experience, we suggested beginning with a perception: smelling, finding words to describe it and listening to the words of others.
This starting point interests me a great deal. A scent can feel familiar without our immediately knowing why. To describe it, we might turn to a place, a memory or a sensation. In choosing our words, we reveal something of how we see the world.
The listener also plays an active part. They may recognise themselves in that description or encounter an association they had not considered. There is already something to talk about.
Designing the conditions for connection
My work with Marco brings together his experience in professional relationships and my research into scent. Profumo di Network allows us to create activities in which these two fields work together.
For me, there is a very practical design question: what are we asking scent to make possible, in this setting and with these people?
This question runs through my Scent Identity Design work. An olfactory choice takes shape alongside the intention, the space and the way people will be involved. At the Forum, our aim was to offer people a chance to get to know one another through a shared experience.
Seeing the conversations continue gave us immediate feedback on participation. I want to begin there, with what happened between people, as we continue to develop this work.
Looking at the photographs brings back the pleasure of that moment: the scent strips, the people gathered around the table, the attention given to whoever is speaking.
Thank you to Marco for designing and leading this experience together, to the organisers of the Wellbeing Happiness Forum and to everyone who took part. That wish to stay a little longer is a memory I am happy to keep.
