The Senses That Reveal Quality

Have you ever wondered which senses help us perceive quality? What gives us the impression that that luxury item or something feels well-crafted—and perhaps, expensive? Or why we can feel so different in seemingly similar clothes?

The Senses We Use to Perceive Quality

Sight
As obvious as the morning sun, our first impression of something is often shaped by our eyes. However, sight can be misleading, as design and marketing experts have mastered the art of deceiving this sense. To truly understand quality, we need to rely on our other senses, which provide a more complete picture of craftsmanship.

Touch
Touch is one of the key ways we recognize the texture of materials like wood or textiles. For example, the sensation of coolness tells us whether something is metal or plastic.

Simon, who has been crafting furniture and accessories as a hobby, loves discovering hidden gems in furniture stores. He’s learned from Japanese artisans who avoid nails altogether, creating furniture so well-fitted that when you close one drawer, another opens by itself. Simon can tell by touch whether a piece of furniture is solid and stable. He often finds rough finishes in places you can’t see, like underneath the top or inside drawers—something many furniture brands tend to overlook.

Hearing
Ladies, do you use lipsticks? Notice how those cheap plastic tubes make a harsh ‘click’ when they close. I’m convinced luxury brands like Chanel have acousticians working on perfecting the sound of their lipsticks closing. Some of them use a magnet for extra satisfaction. Next time you visit a drugstore, try comparing the sounds—you’ll feel the difference.

Sometimes, silence is best. There’s nothing more annoying than squeaky soles in comfortable shoes, right?

Smell
The scent of raw wood or leather is unmistakable. Luxury cars often carry the familiar aroma of leather and the distinct smell of waterproofing. We can identify materials by their smell—plastic and metal, for instance—provided they’re not coated in layers of paint or fixatives.

On a different note, retailers have been using scent marketing for years. Some stores use scent sprays to create a relaxed atmosphere, making customers more willing to reach for their wallets and purchase pricier items.

Can you think of other examples where seemingly odd sensations indicate the quality or craftsmanship of an object? For me, it's the sound of teacups clinking, the click of cosmetics closing, and the smell of a freshly printed book!