Designed while working at Spanner Product Development.

With a single press of a button, Memory Air cycles through 40 individual scents overnight, using a gentle built-in fan directed toward the sleeper. This aromatherapy stimulates olfactory centers, which studies have found to aid memory improvement and even help reverse memory loss in individuals with dementia. Designed for medical use yet needing to live on a nightstand, Memory Air blends beauty with functionality. As our industrial design team worked in tandem with electrical and mechanical engineers, the final form evolved into a sophisticated, elegant device.

How It Works

• After installing the belt with the wax-filled reservoirs, the user presses the Start Button once to set the bedtime and closes the door

• During the sleeping cycle, the wheel slowly rotates through each scent on the belt, allowing the heater block to raise/lower to melt wax in each reservoir and release the scent

• The fan blows the scented air towards the user stimulating their olfactory centers

Process

From Proof of concept to a final design

Collaborating closely with mechanical and electrical engineers ensured that the industrial design vision was aligned with manufacturing feasibility and functional requirements.

Industrial Design Development

Form & Concept Exploration | Using the architecture of the proof of concept, we established an initial volume to begin sketching. Challenges to address: (1) reduce the visual height and make (2) aesthetically “elegant” to fit into a bedside environment appropriate for the target audience (seniors). From exploring square, cylindrical, and pill shaped forms, the square top profile provided the tightest wrap around the interior components for space optimization. The height also benefits from the use of a pattern and color trim, which helps break up its scale, creating the effect of two stacked objects while maintaining cohesion.

Door & UX | With the device living on a bedstand there is limited space and the user should be able to easily align the belt into the device. Having the door in front with the top partially removed protects the interior components while still allowing access and visibility for belt insertion.

Industrial & Product Design Refinement

CMF | Conservative yet elegant colors chosen to fit into any room and interior environment. Settling on a light and dark tone gave options for more feminine vs. masculine aesthetic preferences. Testing the Pantone Metallic Copper against colored paint swatches in various lighting conditions helped identify the optimal combination while also allowing for a comparison with the renderings.

Logo Application | The final logo was pad-printed on top, making it visible from any angle while remaining small and subtle enough not to dominate the surface.

Venting | This exercise combined both ID visuals and PD functional exploration. Venting was needed for the exhaust, inside of the tunnel, as well as the intake grill on the back of the product. Testing ranged from size and volume to detailing the cross section of the venting to maximize flow. We found a lenticular cross section integrated cleanest into the form while providing enough open surface area for air flow. Additional tests using a fog machine were made with different disk sizes to see which optimized steady airflow while also providing adequate protection against fingers reaching the fan. The design finalized into a smaller disc with an outer ring for extra safety and reinforcement while maintaining fan functionality.

Belt POC Fabrication | For the working prototype, we fabricated a belt system assembled with vacuum-formed blisters, each holding a different essential-oil-infused gram of wax. Mesh was heat-sealed onto the blisters and then the unit was attached onto the laser-cut belt using 3M double sided tape. Material tests and CAD form adjustments to the 3D printed molds were made to ensure functional needs, a tight fit, and successful sealing. 40+ essential oils were mixed at specific wax/essential oil ratios to confirm a potent smell was released when heated and blown. Once all was assembled, we were able to have a fit check and use the belt on the POC drive wheel.

Final Design

A fun day in the office when both cosmetic models and works like/looks like units came in for assembly. Our team of designers, electrical, and mechanical engineers worked to build the units to be reviewed and set for further testing.

Study on aromatherapy research with Memory Air’s founder: How Scents Can improve Memory, Autism and Depression | Dr. Michael Leon

Read the America ByDesign article here and follow Memory Air’s progress on their site, learn.memoryair.com!