This study explores the integration of human responses to odors in the context of a tool for design research. Recommendations for using smells as a design research tool were based on studies from cognitive and behavioral psychology, socio-cultural studies as well as the designing-for experiencing paradigm. Many of the challenges encountered resulted from the diversity of material available on the subject of human olfaction as lack of a universal system for classifying human responses to odors. Additionally, it proved difficult to apply the particularly subjective characteristics of human responses to odors towards a contribution to the field of design. Inputs from experts in the design process, food technology, sociology, cultural anthropology and cognitive psychology helped give shape to a robust framework, within which findings from primary research constituting participatory design sessions and probes-for-discussion were integrated.
The designing-for-experience approach was used to evaluate the relevancy of information collected from both, primary and secondary research. The paradigm was also useful in planning exploration and presenting contributions to the design process in a comprehensive and tangible manner. Learning, discussions and recommendations from the explorations were translated into a workbook designed to be used independent of the thesis. The workbook contains information in the form of, a brief introduction to the advantages of using odors stimuli, recommended design methods within which smells can be integrated, study plans and checklists concluding with a note on the limitations of using odor stimuli. Design researchers interested in composing convincing personas and conducting participatory design sessions with a special emphasis on the emotional dimension will find this thesis and the attached workbook a particularly useful and usable resource.