Trace is a discreet, scent-delivery tool designed to support emotional regulation, focus, and memory through the power of aroma.
Named for the trace smells that linger in memory long after a moment has passed, Trace helps users harness scent as a personal tool for mental wellness. With a compact, pen-like form, Trace delivers targeted aromatic experiences—from calming florals to energizing mints—without drawing attention to itself.
Users can associate specific scents with certain tasks, environments, or emotional states. For example, pairing a scent with study sessions and reintroducing it during a test can help trigger recall—leveraging the power of olfactory memory. This concept draws from research in cognitive psychology and neurobiology, giving Trace real potential as a form of gentle bio-hacking.
This is not a writing tool. It’s a tool for inner clarity—quietly powerful, personally transformative, and always at hand.
This first concept takes the form of a soft triangular body, comfortably cradled in the hand. A simple twist mechanism allows users to rotate between three distinct aromas, each selected for a different emotional or cognitive effect—like lavender for calm, mint for clarity, or citrus for energy.
This version of Trace offers enhanced control. With the press of a button, users can choose from three aromas and adjust intensity to match their needs.
Power and scent level buttons let users personalize each experience—whether they’re resetting, focusing, or winding down.
Designed for flexibility, this iteration adds interactivity while staying true to Trace’s quiet, sensory-first purpose.
This concept explores a fully gesture-based interaction, activated by simple taps to cycle through scents. A soft pulse confirms your input, while a discreet display shows the selected aroma—like “Awake” in this example.
A spiraling surface texture wraps the form, offering a visually distinct and tactilely engaging grip. The result is a deeply haptic experience—quiet, responsive, and sensory in every sense.
This concept features a twistable end cap that lets users cycle through scent options with a smooth, deliberate motion. A soft indicator light communicates the selected aroma or mood—calm, focus, or energy.
A linear texture runs tip to tip, enhancing grip and guiding the hand intuitively toward interaction. Tactile and ambient, this design balances analog control with quiet feedback.
Designed with intentional stillness, one side of the device is flat to prevent rolling when not docked in its base. When laid flat, the display is hidden, minimizing visual distractions and encouraging presence.
This version of Trace is both intuitive and grounding—blending digital control with a subtle, calming physical presence
This concept draws inspiration from bamboo, with a segmented form that feels both natural and sculptural. Each node houses a different aroma, and by gently spreading the segments, users reveal an internal wick to release scent.
The interaction is quiet and intentional—no screens, no buttons, just a moment of tactile engagement. This version of Trace invites users to slow down, connect, and breathe.
This concept features four mechanical selectors at the top—each linked to a distinct aroma.
Similar to a classic multi-ink pen, users click down the desired selector to engage a scent. Only one can be active at a time, making the interaction intuitive and satisfying.
Compact and familiar in form, this version of Trace brings nostalgic tactility to modern scent-driven wellness.
This concept uses a push-push mechanism that toggles between two states. When collapsed, it's compact and pocketable. When extended, the device powers on and becomes active.
The interaction is simple and tactile—press to open, press to close—making scent access feel purposeful and discreet. It's Trace in its most minimal and mobile form.
