Project Overview:

CTRL+POUR is a content series hosted on Substack that bridges coffee, culture, technology, user experience, and narrative design. Through the lens of hospitality, we dissect how narrative and immersive design play a role in the spaces we frequent, often through sensory-based storytelling techniques.

Key Features:

• Dual Focus on Digital and Physical Worlds: CTRL+POUR integrates the philosophy of memeχ (Media, Evolution, and Metamodernism Experiences), inspired by Vannevar Bush's "memex," to explore the oscillations [read: cultural shifts] that define media and design. These oscillations—movements between opposing forces like digital and analog or nostalgia and convenience—shape how we interact with the world.

• In-Depth Exploration of Narrative Design: The series unpacks the mechanics of storytelling across platforms, digital and physical, offering a unique perspective on how immersive design plays a large role in driving engagement and creating cohesion.

• Insight into Immersive Design in Hospitality: It also casts a spotlight on how immersive design principles are applied in real-world settings like coffee shops and bars, creating captivating sensory experiences through olfactory training.

• Expert Insights and Practical Examples: The series features discussions with industry experts, case studies, and real-world examples to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topics.

Project Impact:

CTRL+POUR aims to educate and inspire audiences across a variety of industries. By portraying narrative design through the lens of hospitality, Aireus encourages readers to recognize the subtle, yet powerful influence that olfactory senses hold in the realm of storytelling.