PERT Chart!

Timeline!

Bookworm for the day

I took Steve Jones' advice and went to Borders to check out a couple of tourist guides on San Francisco. Though there were many guides, only a few were actually informative in terms of content and visual aid. After flipping through several books, I was attracted by certain elements and highlights. Maps of the city were color coded; there were reference guides with everyday relevant information including standard business hours and restaurant tipping percentages; key points in Chinatown that has a long history and are note worthy.

Along Grant St, there were 9 points of interest that were highly recommended in the guide books: The Dragon Gate, Dragon House, Old St. Mary Church, Wok Shop, Clarion Music Center, Kite Shop, Chinese Cultural Center, and the United Commercial Bank. I'd figured these 9 points of interest can aid me in developing my visual guide. (Better take note..!)

Went to the 'bubble' for the first time and did some research on wayfinding and signages. Headed over to Japantown's Kinokuniya, looked at design books. Back to Borders, looked at more design books... yadada... not worth mentioning. That concludes my 9.29.09.


W.

Field Research

Went to visit Grant St. at around 2:00PM on Thursday. I picked up a few brochures along the way from SW, a hotel located on Broadway St. I wasn't exactly sure what to find during my walk but I took as many pictures as I could.

As I closely observed the people around me, I can easily distinguish between visitors, tourists, and locals. Obviously, the similar groups dress alike. Tourists carry cameras, travel packs, wears "I love SF" shirts, and rides Gray Line Tour Buses. Locals carry practically nothing; maybe a coffee or tapioca, an Asian dessert drink. I also took notice that many tourists traveling in groups tend to stop in open areas to look at their SF maps. (BINGO!)

Spoke with my Panel of Expert on Friday to see if there was any other hint or tips to easily tackle this research. I was told to look at books on tourism to see is effective and not. Looks like that's my next step.

W.

Problem & Purpose Statement

Problem Statement:
Grant Street in San Francisco Chinatown, a popular destination for tourists, lacks an informational guide to assist visitors.

Purpose Statement:
The purpose of this study was to explore ways of designating informational components to assist visitors.

Intro ~

My name is Wilson Chiu, currently a graduating senior at SFSU studying graphic design with an emphasis in visual communications. Prior enrolling to the Design and Industry, I've always had an interest in drawing, sketching, painting, and even digital drawings with photoshop manipulation. I haven't had the slightest clue what graphic design even was, considering how the term was widely used and has become so general it can almost practically be anything related to colors and art. What first inspired me to proceed down to where I am presently, were art drawings and renderings of comical characters made up by a community of artists and designers throughout the world. I wanted to become like them and take part in something creative. I knew already that I did not want to become another business local but instead become someone who can impact creatively. My mind was set on becoming a great designer, although that dream may be hard to achieve, I want to try.

I'd like to picture myself becoming a designer who's talent can be as great as this but unfortunately I'm no where close enough yet.

Conservative, Team Player, Driven, Passionate, Discerning, and Humorous is what I would best describe myself.