Illusory アロマディフューザー

Press Kit

Unique Properties

In this aromatherapy diffuser design, the sponge is both the packaging lining and the diffuser itself, fully utilizing the soft, cushioning, and porous properties of sponge. When using, spray the fragrance liquid onto the surface of diffuser. Due to the porous nature of sponge, liquid can evenly adhere to its surface, making the aroma more lasting and charming.
The porosity of sponge creates a beautiful illusory effect at the edges of the product, like a charming aroma, pleasant and ethereal.

Dimensions & Packaging

During the design process, we created product models of different sizes and obtained the optimal product size through statistical analysis of fragrance holding time and expansion effect. After ergonomic testing, the product was selected in the following dimensions: 80 mm x 40 mm x 160 mm.
The translucent frosting design of the outer package allows users to vaguely see the shape of the inner product like a perfume bottle, and can better present the beauty and innovation of the whole design.

Tags

Aromatherapy, Diffuser, Sustainable Design, Packaging Lining, Sponge

Production Technology

This product has an efficient and convenient production process, which can reduce costs and significantly save energy. The diffuser is made by pressing the sponge raw material with a knife mold, with a simple process and high production efficiency.
Every year, up to 90% of packaging linings are discarded, resulting in significant waste. This design selects BONDED FOAM (recycled sponge) as the main material, which is environmentally friendly, aging resistant, and has high compressive strength.

Design Challenge

In the early stages of project development, a long research cycle and heavy data statistics are a challenge, as we hope to conduct preliminary research and material research on this project as comprehensively as possible. In order to produce a material that holds fragrance for a longer time, has better fragrance expansion effect, and is durable and shock-absorbing, the production and selection of sponges have also undergone repeated debugging and research and development during the process.

Research

Through research on academic papers and publications, telephone interviews, and on-site visits to a large number of users, we have learned that up to 90% of packaging lining are discarded every year, resulting in a huge waste. This waste behavior has a wide range and large amount, and is easily overlooked by people. We hope to propose a new environmentally friendly approach through this design, using packaging as a part of the product itself to reduce material waste and production costs.

Inspiration

Sponges have the characteristics of softness and porosity, with cushioning and fragrance emitting functions, and their texture exhibits various aesthetic sensations as the size of surface pores changes.
This design allows the packaging lining to become the product itself, truly integrating the packaging with the product, in line with the concept of sustainable development. It utilizes the functionality of the sponge lining while exploring its aesthetic properties to maximize the material value.

Project Duration

The project started in July 2022 and finished in April 2023 in Guangzhou, China, and was exhibited in the Art Museum of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in June 2023.

Operation Flow

During transportation, the sponge diffuser serves as a packaging lining to protect the fragrance bottle.
After receiving the product, the user can take out the packaging lining (sponge diffuser). When using, take out the fragrance bottle and spray the aromatherapy liquids onto the sponge diffuser. After spraying, put the bottle back into the diffuser.
Due to the porous nature of sponges, aromatherapy liquids can evenly adhere to the surfaces and continuously emit fragrance for a long time.

Patents

Copyrights belong to Jingyi Miao, 2023.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Qian Kai, Illusory, 2023.
Image #2: Photographer Qian Kai, Illusory, 2023.
Image #3: Photographer Qian Kai, Illusory, 2023.
Image #4: Photographer Qian Kai, Illusory, 2023.
Image #5: Photographer Qian Kai, Illusory, 2023.