Scent as Memory.

Smell has a unusually direct link to the brain’s emotional and memory centers. A smell doesn’t just help us recognize something, it often brings back the feeling of that moment too.

Sometimes I’ll tell my sister, “This smells like the air in Shanghai.” In that moment, I’m immediately taken back to scenes from my childhood. Scent as Memory is an illustrated project inspired by moments like this, that explores the connection between scent and memory. I believe many people have similar experiences, where a familiar smell can suddenly bring back a place, a time, or a version of themselves they thought they had forgotten.

Through a series of illustrations, fleeting sensory experiences are translated into visual forms, and subtle motion enhances the visual experience of each piece. The project is paired with custom scent cards, inviting viewers to engage not only visually, but also through smell—creating a multi-sensory experience that evokes personal memories and emotional resonance.