Caleb Vanden Boom
Designer, Graphic Designer, Co-Founder
In their own words
We liked the idea of making a small art object for the home that looked exactly like what it smelled like.
There was something very charming about elevating an everyday item, especially one that borders on looking like garbage, into a precious object.
We wanted the final set of drawings to feel truly varied and to represent a mix of styles, voices, and perspectives.
Translating scent into sight is a process we found very inspiring.
Oftentimes I listen to the work while reading the lyrics and taking lots of notes. This helps identify both overarching themes and little gems of imagery to excavate and make use of.
Design can expand an artist’s world beyond their audio output. In many cases the visual component may be the first thing to pique someone’s interest, and therefore colour how they experience it, which I don’t take lightly.
Articles & interviews
- How being weird can save branding in 2026
In this Creative Boom insight piece, Mother Design’s Bentzion Goldman argues that branding has become overly safe and forgettable. He calls for a return to creative risk-taking and 'weirdness' in 2026, highlighting recent projects by Cotton Design, Mother Design, and Clue Perfumery as examples of bold, emotionally resonant work. The article positions experimentation and eccentricity as essential to revitalizing brand identity design.
- Keeping the doctor away! Clue perfumey asks 29 artists to draw an apple
Clue Perfumery’s co-founders Caleb Vanden Boom and Laura Oberwetter launched 'Every Apple', a stone sculpture infused with aromatic oil, celebrating the apple’s form and scent. To mark the release, they invited 29 artists to create unique interpretations of the fruit, resulting in a diverse collection of illustrations. The project highlights Clue’s collaborative ethos and its blend of art, scent, and design.
- "Design Translates Fragrance into Visuals and Emotions"