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• 1 2017-06-13T15:54:38-07:00 The Essence of Moods- A Textual Analysis 26 gallery 2017-06-16T10:29:55-07:00

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  Purpose

  The application allows users to choose between different "moods." Each mood stands for an essential oil derived from mostly plants and flowers. The description of each representative mood and correlating scent are below. Each mood has a unique background musical tone and color scheme in the background. However, the color backgrounds are not restricted to a certain mood. The pictures above show that the color schemes variate amongst moods but have a similar structure and blend of two complimentary colors. For example, Ylang blends sea-foam green from the top left into a soft lavender in the bottom right. In addition, as the user changes the different modes in the app, classic, infinitive, or freestyle, the colors of the backgrounds are not necessarily the same for the same mood. 

  Neroli: The top of the list starts with neroli which is the sweet, honeyed oil that is derived from the blossom of the orange tree. There is a distinct difference between the odor of neroli and an orange blossom due to the extraction process. However, the scents are noted to be similar. To read more about this mood, click this link!
  
  Vetiver: Also known as, Chrysopogon zizaniodes is a bunchgrass that is native to India. This scent is noted to improve with age and renders a sweet, woody, and smoky fragrance. More information about this scent can be found here!
  
  Ylang: Ylang-Ylang is the perfume that is extracted from the cananga tree that originates from Indonesia. Fragrance characteristics are noted to be rich and deep with rubber and custard and bright hints of neroli and jasmine. Read more here!
  
  Bergamot: The bergamot orange is a citrus fruit the size of an orange but has a color close the the bright green of a lime. The scent that has a spiciness on top of its citrus base. The use of this scent has a wide range of applications. From being used in perfumes or deodorants to the aromatherapy application acting as a relaxant and sedative. More information about the health benefits and other information can be found in the external links highlighted. 
  
  Benzoin: Styrax benzoin is a tree that grows in Malaysia and produces oval, hairy leaves and flowers that are greenish yellow. The tree itself produces resin that is extracted and used for the oil. The scent that comes from this resin is very aromatic and has a strong aroma of vanilla. Benzoin can be used in a homemade beauty solution. Combining it with a couple other essential oils and distilled water the solution is helpful for lightening brown marks on the face and hands. Interested in the other benefits and uses of benzoin? Click here.
  
  Orris: Orris oil is cultivated close to Florence from the iris plants. The scent that the oil creates is a warm and sweet floral with fruit undertones. Orris is used in soaps and violet based perfumes. More information could be found in this link.
   
  Labdanum: This mood is the sticky brown resin that is derived from the Cistus plants. It is noted for its sweet, woody, animalistic, and leathery smell. Labdanum is most distinguished by its amber odor.
   
  Ambrette: The seeds from the shrub native to India that is known for its musky aroma. It has a pale yellow color that exudes warm, sweet, musky aromas with overtones of flowers. The oil is known beyond its aromatherapy benefits to help get rid of motion sickness or aid indigestion or stomach cramps. More information can be found here. 
  
  Tolu: Tolu is a resign that is steam distilled from the Tolu balsam plant from Peru. It has scents of vanilla and a soft cinnamon aroma. Tolu blends well with some other moods mentioned such as ylang-ylang, as well as sandalwood, rose, and jasmine. For more about tolu's background or even to purchase a sample of the essential oil, follow this link. 
  
  Cedar: Cedar may have been the first recognizable mood on the list. Extracted from the pieces of cedar wood by steam distillation, cedar has a number of health benefits. The aroma improves focus, can reduce a cough, and can help reduce dryness of the scalp. Other benefits and recipes for home remedies can be found here. 
  
  Civet: Civet musk is produced by the civet cat most commonly found in Ethiopia. These animals produce three to four grams of oil a week. The odor is strong when pure but diluted produces a sweet and pleasant aroma. The United States no longer allows the import of civet cats but does allow the oil to be imported as long as it has been treated. Interested in more information? Follow this link to the Wikipedia page. 
  
  Skatole: Oddly, skatole is the foul-smelling chemical produced in the digestive tract. Yet, in low concentrations renders a pleasant smell of flowers like jasmine and orange blossoms. Of course, we found a beautiful out liar in the array of moods chosen by Brian Eno. This may be representative to some personal views on life and the power of ambient music. Check out this link or this Link for more information. 

  
  Ambient, as defined by Dictionary.com, is "of the surrounding area or environment." Brian Eno's expertise in the ambient music and the effect of Bloom is just that. The power of the subtle melody in the background before the layers of user created key tones takes the mind away from the world and leaves you present, in the moment of each touch. I say in the iPhone interaction video, that the colors of the application are visually "very pleasing." They have soft tones with vibrant bubbles that dissipate as the tone is born then fades away. The range of those, what I would say is piano keys, tones are limited but do span from deep, low keys to high pitch keys. The power of the graphics and the music allows the stresses of every day to fade away. I personally think that this app couold run for hours in the background of studying or reading. Or it could captivate audiences for just as long playing with the different possibilities. Although I have no medical background or expertise, I could see this app being used as a type of anti-anxiety therapy by its tranquil characteristics. 
  
  I thought that the mood names were particularly interesting because, after research, I see that they all represent essential oils. Now there is no way for the iPad or iPhone today to be able to produce the linked essential oil for the user to experience. However, Eno was starting to develop the olfactory responses on top of the visual, auditory, and haptic interaction and engagement. 
  
  Page ​by: Macy Miller
  
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