Lorenzo De Rosa and Ernesto Iadevaia are the team that makes up Sovrappensiero, a design studio in Milan that recently launched a collection of items geared towards the blind. The collection "Design per Non Vedenti" can also be taken conceptually, as a reminder that all senses are involved when it comes to experiencing real life and day-to-day living. An example of "slow" design, Sovrappensiero tells us to slow down and appreciate all sensual experiences. We asked Lorenzo about their work:

Are the products/ideas designed to be used by blind people, or are they for people with sight, in order that they may understand more about blindness?
"The products are designed to be used by blind people, with the exception of 'Rifletti'. The aim was to create objects pleasant to use for people with such disabilities because the objects they usually use can sometimes be really cold and unpleasant. For example: devices made for the blind are primarily based on robotic voices or braille writing. The objects we designed are based on deeper sensations, like the smell of flowers or the sound of leaves in a forest. During the exhibition at Salone Satellite, we let people test our designs, and we realized that everyone enjoyed using objects that can stimulate all senses. This kind of experience helped most people to understand more about blindness."

Shown above is Scented Time, the antithesis of a watch that marks time in a neutral manner, ignoring subjectivity. Sovrapensiero asks, "How long is a moment of pleasure? What is its smell?" Each candle is scented differently and lasts twenty minutes, lighting the next one before the flame goes out. The user decides when the period of time shall begin when the first candle is lit, and thus smells the passage of time.

+ sovrappensiero.com