Designing Olfactory Experiences for Museums and Exhibitions

Scent has the unique ability to evoke immediate emotional resonance and memory, yet integrating olfactory elements into public spaces requires careful curation and planning. This text-based course guides you through the practical and interpretive principles of developing scent-based exhibition elements that enrich visitor engagement without overwhelming the senses. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational olfactory terminology and the science behind how scent impacts visitor memory and interpretation. - Apply narrative frameworks to select historical, artistic, and thematic scents that support curatorial goals. - Evaluate scent diffusion mechanisms, spatial airflow considerations, and collection preservation standards. - Design for sensory accessibility, including visitor consent, allergen safety protocols, and scent-neutral rest areas. - Practice mapping an end-to-end olfactory interpretation strategy for an exhibition space. The course opens with essential concepts in sensory design and olfactory science before walking you through interpretive curation, technical delivery methods, and spatial design strategies. Designed for museum professionals, curators, cultural programmers, and design enthusiasts, this course requires no prior experience with sensory or olfactory design. Start reading today to bring multisensory storytelling into your exhibition practice.