How can one translate smell digitally? How does smell work in digital worlds? And to what purpose?
In collaboration with the Global Innovation Practice at CHANEL, NYC Media Lab at NYU Tandon School of Engineering is excited to announce an open call for applications for the Virtual Synesthesia Challenge, which is designed to identify and explore creative, cutting-edge concepts related to the sense of smell and synesthesia in the virtual world.
Selected teams will pitch, build, and either research or prototype over the course of the nine-week program in close collaboration with CHANEL and NYCML.
Please spread the word within your networks and learn more about the Challenge at one of our virtual info sessions:
Wednesday November 1 from 12-1pm ET
Friday November 3 from 2-3pm ET
What kind of teams are we looking for?
We’re seeking students (current and alumni), startups and university teams. It is not necessary for these projects to have been originally developed for the luxury industry.
What will the teams do during the Challenge?
The teams will work with CHANEL, NYCML mentors and guests working in different applications of olfaction and synesthesia to advance their thinking and projects and prepare a presentation of their solution.
Winning teams that are based in NYC will have the benefit of being able to work from Tandon @ the Yard, NYU Tandon’s cutting edge emerging media playground, including use of its technologies including OW Smell Digital, with non-local teams (if any) dialing in via conference call.
The Challenge will be led by Winslow Porter, Adjunct Professor; TREE, Forager, producer in conjunction with the NYCML leadership team.
Program Timeline & Deadlines
- Applications close: Sunday, November 5, 2023 11:59 pm ET
- First phase: mid-November to mid-December 2023*
- Second phase & demo day: February 2024*
*dates subject to change
Info sessions on Wednesday November 1 from 12-1pm ET and November 3 from 2-3pm ET.
