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P R O J E C T
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Environmental Type is a multi-step project that investigates the
E
progresses from photographic documentation to expressive design
S
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relationship between word, image, meaning and place. The project
E
and storytelling. Each step was built upon the last. O C E
interpret the area surrounding me; a chance to step outside of myself.
A
us. Th is project provided me with the opportunity to engage and
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in our own bubbles, removed from the environment that surrounds
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taken for granted or barely explored at all. It is easy for us to live
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The project gave me an in depth view of an area that I may have
T A B L E
O F
C O N T E N T S A
P H O T O
2.
P H O T O
D O C U M E N T A T I O N
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C O L L A G E S
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S
1.
E N S
&
CATALOG
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COLLAGES
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INDEX & CATALOG - COLOR & TEXTURE
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TYPE
O
TYPE
4. V E R N A C U L A R
-
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3. I N D E X
F
5.
STORY
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S T O R I E S
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A
C
DESIGN
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G R I D
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7. M A K E
&
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6. I N D E X I N G
E
8.
C O M B I N I N G
E P Y T L A T N E M N O R I V N E
1
P H O T O D O C U M E N TAT I O N
To tell a story about a place, one must first experience what the place has to offer by themselves. I took several pictures of typographic examples around Downtown Sarasota as I walked down Main Street and studied how they worked with the
general environment and what they represented.
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The most interesting thing I can say about this first stage of the
Sense of Place project is that I had no idea what the objective was, and how it related to taking these pictures, which means I paid
little attention to capture the “most representative� images of Main
Street Sarasota. Ironically enough, these images served me very well in portraying the idea of the place through its typographic
elements, which brings me to the point that this whole project makes: that the type present in a place helps define not only its
aesthetic, but the feeling of being there.
A S E N S E O F P L A C E
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E P Y T L A T N E M N O R I V N E
2
P H O T O C
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I built collages using the images collected from photographing the area. The juxtaposition of typographic and environmental elements was crucial to capture the feeling of walking down
Main Street in one single image.
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E P Y T L A T N E M N O R I V N E
3
I N D E X& C ATA LO G T
Y
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Each picture taken was filled with information that can be
easily overseen. Many aspects form the environmental and
typographic elements in each photo. This is an index compiling the type present in the pictures.
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E P Y T L A T N E M N O R I V N E
4
VERNAC U
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COLLAGES
The different ways type is used in signage, store fronts, and
advertisement across Main Street are, in themselves, great
representations of the look and feel of Downtown Sarasota.
These collages were made with just those elements.
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E P Y T L A T N E M N O R I V N E
5
INDEX& C ATA L O G COLOR& TEXTURE
It was important to study the color and textures present in the pictures taken before incorporating those elements into
the next few steps of this project. This is an index containing colors and textures that inspired the visual language present throughout this magazine.
26
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E P Y T L A T N E M N O R I V N E
6
I N D E X I G
N R
G
&
I
D
Moving further from the subject matter, the next step was to
create compositions on a grid utilizing only the text present on
the photos taken from Main Street. The challenge, this time,
was to convey the idea of a place using only the placement of the type on a grided composition.
28
A
EXPLORATION OF FOOD SHOT BOCA BLISS CASK DRINK BANK VODKA BUTTER WATER FIRES HOMER OPEN MAIN &ALE TOYS LOCAL 15161519 WORK CLEAR SPKR THEFT AUTO OADOS JUNE SPICES FOOD
S E N S E O F P L C E
29
A
ShockTop
GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE G T E G T E G T E G T E G T E G T E G T E G T E G T E G T E G T E G T E G T E G T E GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE
Lemon Ave
GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE GTE A U T O S P K R .
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CockTailsCockTailsCockTails CockTailsCockTailsCockTails CockTailsCockTails
i
o
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february
11
Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello Picobello
CockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTails CockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTails CockTailsCockTailsCockTails
CockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTails CockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTails CockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTails
&
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30
CockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTails CockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTailsCockTails
entertainment, and general commerce.
These gridded compositions show how
Main Street is a place that offers plenty
of opportunities to a variety of people,
TAKE A SHOT AT KARAOKE WITH A SMIRNOFF ON W E D N E S D AY N I G H T
boca supports local farmers warhol flowers in a factory warning do not fill support your local antifa water
A S E N S E
TOY LAB
whether they are locals or visiting town.
t he ft
for exploring things such as food, art,
report
walking down Main Street. It is a place
warning
variety of activities that can be done while
RICHARD GERE IS A DECENT ACTOR LEMON FARMER FLOWER TRADER ARTHUR BAR BOHEMIAN TOY BANK VODKA BUTTER WATER FIRE ANTIFA HOMER WARNING REPORT MAIN CLEAR
of words creates patterns that convey the
RICHARD GERE IS A DECENT ACTOR LEMON FARMER FLOWER TRADER ARTHUR BAR BOHEMIAN TOY BANK VODKA BUTTER WATER FIRE ANTIFA HOMER WARNING REPORT MAIN CLEAR
Across the compositions, the repetition
O F P L A C
Picobello Main Street Traders Kennedy Studios Graphics & Framing Evelyn & Arthur Nemati Boca Kitchen Bar Market Penzeys Spices ShockTop Bohemian Bliss Boutique Cask & Ale Kitchen Cocktails MéLange Exploration of food Art & Drink Harshman & Company, Inc. Commercial Real Estate Broker Prague Amar Jewelery Toy Lab Bank of the Ozarks JMCL WARNING REPORT THEFT SARASOTA FOR Yodock in transit no traces thisworks 1516
E
E P Y
Picobello Main Street Traders Kennedy Studios Graphics & Framing Evelyn & Arthur Nemati Boca Kitchen Bar Market Penzeys Spices ShockTop Bohemian Bliss Boutique Cask & Ale Kitchen Cocktails MéLange Exploration of food Art & Drink Harshman & Company, Inc. Commercial Real Estate Broker Prague Amar Jewelery Toy Lab Bank of the Ozarks JMCL WARNING REPORT THEFT SARASOTA FOR Yodock in transit no traces thisworks 1516
T L A T N
ENTER CLEAR CANCEL
E M N O R I V N E
OPEN
15191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151 61519159215161519159215161519159215161519159215161519159215161 615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 291592151615191592151615191592151615191592151 29159215161519159215161519159215161519159215 1 1915921516151915921516151915921516151915921516151915161519159215161519159215161 5191592 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 15191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151 61519159215161519159215161519159215161519159215161519159215161 615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 291592151615191592151615191592151615191592151615191592 2915921516151915921516151915921516151915921516151915921516151915921516151915921516151915921516151915161519159215161519159215161 5191592 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 6 1 5 1 9 1 5 9 2
Take a shot at KARAOKE Wednesday night Take a shot at KARAOKE KARAOKE a shot at KARAOKE night Take a shot at KARAOKE on Wednesday night Take a shot at KARAOKE KARAOKE
32
The color and texture incorporated into
these compositions are visual elements that
also represent different ideas of Main Street.
It is a place where a mixture of different
people gather for all types of attractions,
but also a place in a city of many profiles:
the extravagant hotels and restaurants, the
alternative coffee shops, and the inequality between peoples of different upbringings.
A S
EXPLORATION OF FOOD SHOT BOCA BLISS CASK FIRES BANK VODKA BUTTER WATER DRINK HOMER OPEN MAIN &ALE TOYS LOCAL 15161519 WORK CLEAR SPKR THEFT AUTO OADOS JUNE SPICES FOOD
E N S E O F P L A C E
33
E P Y T L A T N E M N O R I V E
N
SUPPORT Y O U R LOCAL A N T I FA
FEBRUARY 1 1
1516 OADOS 539 PICOBELLO JMCL ANTIFA NEMATI 1582
JUNE 30
flowers in the factory boca kitchen bar market
34
S
t h e f t
N E O F P L A C E
35
E
boca supports local farmers warhol flowers in a factory warning do not fill support your local antifa water
S
RICHARD GERE IS A DECENT ACTOR LEMON FARMER FLOWER TRADER ARTHUR BAR BOHEMIAN TOY BANK VODKA BUTTER WATER FIRE ANTIFA HOMER WARNING REPORT MAIN CLEAR
report
W E D N E S D AY N I G H T
A
WITH A SMIRNOFF ON
TOY LAB
warning
RICHARD GERE IS A DECENT ACTOR LEMON FARMER FLOWER TRADER ARTHUR BAR BOHEMIAN TOY BANK VODKA BUTTER WATER FIRE ANTIFA HOMER WARNING REPORT MAIN CLEAR
TAKE A SHOT AT KARAOKE
E P Y T L A T N E M N O R I V N E
7
M A K E & D E S I G N
A
STORY
After exploring the look and feel of what defines Main Street as a location, I wrote a story based on a personal experience
that I had on the making of this publication. In addition, I
incorporated the story with the visual language I developed
over the course of making this magazine.
36
OLD MAN RICK
E O F P L A C E
37
S
for the existence of so many Ricks in the f irst place. Did I give those ten dollars to Rick, or did he just claim them back from me?
N
I know I cannot help everyone around me, but I wish there was a better way to help more of the Ricks out there. However, I can’t help but think that I could be worrying about it just to feel a bit better about myself. To distract myself from acknowledging my responsibility
E
By then, I had already decided to help him with his soup kitchen and shower errand. I only had a ten dollar bill in my wallet and was pretty sure Rick was not taking any credit cards. I knew it was a bit of a stretch, but his story made me feel like he needed that money more than I did, so I gave it to him. Seeing the joy coming to his face as he saw how much I was giving him made it worth it for me, even though my girlfriend was a bit skeptical about Rick ’s story. That being said, I felt like it was the right thing to do. But I am not writing this to pat myself on the back for doing something good for someone in need.
Rick then introduced himself and told us the same story from before. I was not surprised, since I assumed he was probably a regular of the soup kitchen and veteran support center. However, on that day, I had absolutely zero cash – not even coins – and was probably not going to give him as much money as our prior encounter. I apologized to him and wished him luck as I saw a trace of frustration on his face. This whole story made me think about how we, as people who actually have the privileges of a ceiling over our heads and a plate on our tables, struggle to support those in need around us. Is it hypocritical to help someone only once and expect them to have life figured out after we touched their poor soul with our holy blessing? Although I am still far from having a stable financial life and established career, I could have given Rick so much more of my time to help him survive this hard world we live in. But no. I decided to leave him in the rain and have my dinner at the pho place with my friends.
S
He introduced himself as Rick, a Vietnam War veteran who was looking forward to having his monthly dinner and shower at the local soup kitchen and veteran support center. That information alone was enough to make us feel the usual pity that people get when approached by someone who has much less than you do. Rick was asking us if we had any money to give him so that he could afford the small fee of seventeen dollars. He explained his story further by telling us how he approached a man earlier asking for some money was well, but the man had refused to give him anything because he “doesn’t help any negro on the street”. This kind of statement would enrage anyone that has a minimum of compassion for others – especially minorities – so it was clear that my girlfriend and I were saddened by what had happened with Rick.
A few weeks later, we were walking around the same area, going to our usual pho place to have a delicious dinner, when we spotted Rick walking around with that same lost-but-not-really face, trying to escape the light rain that had started to fall. He approached us, as I expected him to, but did not seem to remember me or my girlfriend from before. Today, I feel a bit stupid for thinking that he would remember us, but at the time I was probably still full of myself for helping him that one time, that I almost expected him to remember us. Silly me. A
There I was, walking down Main Street, taking pictures with my girlfriend’s superior phone so my teacher would at least like the quality of my photos, wondering what kind of letters were interesting enough to use on my project. I usually feel uneasy walking downtown, which is odd, since it is supposed to be a fairly safe region in Sarasota. But sometimes I feel that people look at me with suspicion, as if I am invading their space just by making eye contact with them. That being said, my girlfriend and I were approached by this old man as we were walking down the street. We had seen him there a few minutes before, looking a bit lost, walking around the area as if he had nowhere to go, but, at the same time, he had the look of someone who knew exactly where he wanted to go.
OLD MAN RICK
Th ere I was, walking down Main Street, taking pictures with my girlfriend ’s superior phone so my teacher would at least like the quality of my photos, wondering what kind of letters were interesting enough to use on my project. I usually feel uneasy walking downtown, which is odd, since it is supposed to be a fairly safe region in Sarasota. But sometimes I feel that people look at me with suspicion, as if I am invading their space just by making eye contact with them. Th at being said, my girlfriend and I were approached by this old man as we were walking down the street. We had seen him there a few minutes before, looking a
bit lost, walking around the area as if he had nowhere to go, but, at the same time, he had the look of someone who knew exactly where he wanted to go. He introduced himself as Rick, a Vietnam War veteran who was looking forward to having his monthly dinner and shower at the local soup kitchen and veteran support center. Th at information alone was enough to make us feel the usual pity that people get when approached by someone who has much less than you do. Rick was asking us if we had any money to give him so that he could afford the small fee of seventeen dollars. He explained his story further by telling us how he approached a man earlier asking for some money was well, but the man had refused to give him anything because he “doesn’t help any negro on the street”. Th is kind of statement would enrage anyone that has a minimum of compassion for others – especially minorities – so it was clear that my girlfriend and I were saddened by what had happened with Rick. By then, I had already decided to help him with his soup kitchen and shower errand. I only had a ten dollar bill in my wallet and was pretty sure Rick was not taking any credit cards. I knew it was a bit of a stretch, but
HE INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS RICK, A VIETNAM WAR VETERAN
39
E P Y T L A T N E M N O R I V N E
his story made me feel like he needed that money more than I did, so I gave it to him. Seeing the joy coming to his face as he saw how much I was giving him made it worth it for me, even though my girlfriend was a bit skeptical about Rick’s story. Th at being said, I felt like it was the right thing to do. But I am not writing this to pat myself on the back for doing something good for someone in need. A few weeks later, we were walking around the same area, going to our usual pho place to have a delicious dinner, when we spotted Rick walking around with that same lost-but-not-really face, trying to escape the light rain that had started to fall. He approached us, as I expected him to, but did not seem to remember me or my girlfriend from before. Today, I feel a bit stupid for thinking that he would remember us, but at the time I was probably still full of myself for helping him that one time, that I almost expected him to remember us. Silly me. Rick then introduced himself and told us the same story from before. I was not surprised, since I assumed he was probably a regular of the soup kitchen and veteran support center. However, on that day, I had absolutely zero cash – not even coins – and was probably not going to give him as much money as our prior encounter. I apologized to him and wished him luck as I saw a trace of frustration on his face.
WE STRUGGLE TO SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED AROUND US
40
DID HE JUST CLAIM THEM BACK FROM ME?
A
Th is whole story made me think about how we, as people who actually have the privileges of a ceiling over our heads and a plate on our tables, struggle to support those in need around us. Is it hypocritical to help someone only once and expect them to have life fi gured out after we touched their poor soul with our holy blessing? Although I am still far from hav ing a stable f inancia l life and established career, I could have given Rick so much more of my time to help him survive this hard world we live in. But no. I decided to leave him in the rain and have my dinner at the pho place with my friends.
S E N S E O F P L A C E
I know I cannot help ever yone around me, but I wish there was a better way to help more of the R icks out there. However, I can’t help but think that I could be worr ying about it just to feel a bit bet ter about mysel f. To distract mysel f from ack nowledging my responsibilit y for the existence of so many Ricks in the f irst place. Did I give those ten dollars to Rick, or did he just claim them back from me?
41
OLD MAN RICK
There I was, walking down Main Street, taking pictures
with my girlfriend’s superior phone so my teacher would at least like the quality of my photos, wondering what kind
of letters were interesting enough to use on my project.
I usually feel uneasy walking downtown, which is
odd, since it is supposed to be a fairly safe region in A
Sarasota. But sometimes I feel that people look at me
with suspicion, as if I am invading their space just by
P
exactly where he wanted to go.
HE INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS RICK, A VIETNAM WAR VETERAN
F
the look of someone who knew
O
go, but, at the same time, he had
E
the area as if he had nowhere to
S
few minutes before, looking a bit lost, walking around
N
were walking down the street. We had seen him there a
E
girlfriend and I were approached by this old man as we
S
making eye contact with them. Th at being said, my
feel the usual pity that people get when approached
by someone who has much less than you do. Rick
was asking us if we had any money to give him so
that he could afford the small fee of seventeen dollars.
43
E
center. Th at information alone was enough to make us
C
and shower at the local soup kitchen and veteran support
A
who was looking forward to having his monthly dinner
L
He introduced himself as Rick, a Vietnam War veteran
He explained his story further by telling us how he approached a man earlier asking for some money was
well, but the man had refused to give him anything
because he “doesn’t help any negro on the street”.
Th is kind of statement would enrage anyone that has
a minimum of compassion for others – especially minorities – so it was clear that my girlfriend and
I were saddened by what had happened with Rick.
By then, I had already decided to help him with his
soup kitchen and shower errand. I only had a ten
dollar bill in my wallet and was pretty sure Rick
was not taking any credit cards. I knew it was a bit of a stretch, but his story made me feel like he
needed that money more than I did, so I gave it to
him. Seeing the joy coming to his face as he saw how much I was giving him made it worth it for me, even
though my girlfriend was a bit skeptical about Rick’s
story. That being said, I felt like it was the right thing
to do. But I am not writing this to pat myself on the
back for doing something good for someone in need.
A few weeks later, we were walking around the
same area, going to our usual pho place to have a
delicious dinner, when we spotted Rick walking
around with that same lost-but-not-really face, trying to escape the light rain that had started to
fall. He approached us, as I expected him to, but did not seem to remember me or my girlfriend from
44
before. Today, I feel a bit stupid for thinking that he
luck as I saw a trace of frustration on his face.
would remember us, but at the time I was probably
Th is whole story made me think about how we, as
that I almost expected him to remember us. Silly me.
over our heads and a plate on our tables, struggle to
story from before. I was not surprised, since I assumed
to help someone only once and expect them to
still full of myself for helping him that one time,
Rick then introduced himself and told us the same
people who actually have the privileges of a ceiling support those in need around us. Is it hypocritical
he was probably a regular of the soup kitchen and
have life fi gured out after we touched their poor
absolutely zero cash – not even coins – and was probably
from having a stable fi nancial life and established
encounter. I apologized to him and wished him
my time to help him survive this hard world we live
veteran support center. However, on that day, I had
not going to give him as much money as our prior
soul with our holy blessing? Although I am still far
career, I could have given Rick so much more of
in. But no. I decided to leave him in the rain and
I know I cannot help everyone around me, but
A
the Ricks out there. However, I can’t help but
S
have my dinner at the pho place with my friends.
I wish there was a better way to help more of
N S
Did I give those ten dollars to Rick, or did he just
O
existence of so many Ricks in the f irst place.
F
from acknowledging my responsibility for the
E
feel a bit better about myself. To distract myself
E
think that I could be worrying about it just to
claim them back from me?
P L A C E
I COULD HAVE GIVEN RICK SO MUCH MORE OF MY TIME
45
E P Y T L A T N E M N O R I V N E
8
C O M B I N
I
N
G
STORIES
The next challenge was to introduce a completely new story, related to a different place, and a different person, together
with the previous one. Both stories are together, sharing the same space and layout.
46
PSL THEORY I parked my car in a parallel parking spot. I normally don’t, but downtown gives me no choice. I squeeze out of my car, trying not to get hit by incoming traffic, and turn my camera on, making sure the lighting settings are alright. I walked around getting pictures of each thing I saw. Birds, trees, buildings, I wanted to have as much content as I came for. I noticed that a few friends from my school were here as well. I met up with them and we decided to make a pitstop at a coffee shop, Starbucks. It was the first day of Fall, so of course there were many fall themed drinks for sale. As we walked in and waited in line, we all decided to get a pumpkin spice latte. “Hi, welcome! What can I get for you today?” the barista smiled. I pulled out my phone and said “I’ll have a tall pumpkin spice latte, please!”. Turning on my Starbucks app. “Right away. Can I get a name for the order?” “Ellie.” I paid for my drink and walked over to the end counter. M y f r i e n d s o r d e r e d t h e s a m e t hi n g a n d j o i n e d m e. We waited a few minutes and then saw a man walk out from the back room and gave us our drinks. “What the... Did you make those out of thin air from the back room or something?” My friend laughed. The male baris t a smirked and said “Yeah, we have to be careful with our recipe. It’s just a new thing we’re doing. Enjoy!” He went back to making other drinks out in the open. We obviously didn’t think anything of it because we were about to have the sweet taste of pumpkin and cinnamon enter our taste buds. We walked out and continued to enjoy our drinks. We walked around for the most par t. Taking pictures of ever y thing we saw. The sun was about to set but it was still very hot so we all decided to hit the road. I decided to carpool with everyone since they Ubered and it would save them a bit of money. “Did you guys drink all your Starbucks already?” one of my friends, Steph, asked. Everyone basically just said yes in a different way. Steph slouched back in her seat and huffed. “I don’t get why you guys couldn’t give me the rest.” She looked out the winder angrily. “Why do you assume we wouldn’t finish them?” I asked. She looked over sharply, almost like she was possessed. “I just.. I don’t know. I wanted more. I just wanted more, okay!?” Everyone in the car started to get an awkward feeling. “I wouldn’t mind going back...” Said my other friend, Kendra. Steph parked up. “Ellie, please”. I looked back in confusion pointing at our stop, we were already at our campus. “You guys can go.” I picked up my cup and purse and turned the car off. “Wait a minute.” Kendra said, still sitting in her seat in my car. “You still have some coffee left. I looked back at her and looked at my drink. “Well, it’s mine. You can go get
another one.” I kinda felt a need to protect it. Steph and Kendra and I, already out of the car. Steph said, with a sense of hate in her eye, “I’m going to get that pumpkin spice latte if it’s the last thing I do.” She jumps up on Kendra’s shoulders, and this glow starts to shape around them. “What the hell guys, what are you-” I yelled. Before I could make my sense of what was going on, Kendra and Steph have morphed into a giant pumpkin humanoid thing. Skin as orange as a latte, pumpkin seeds for teeth, their limbs were just spools of cinnamon. They started coming closer to me. Everyone around us screamed. I, most confused and scared as ever, grabbed my cup, turned and ran. I held it out like a smoke flair and headed towards an open area. “Oh my god... What was even in this drink.” I looked at my cup, for it was only half full, and noticed a yellow liquid at the bottom of the drink. I must of not have gotten a lot of it in my system. “What the hell is this!?”. I didn’t think twice and just threw my cup at the misshapen Kendra and Steph. Their cinnamon limbs grabbed it in midair, threw it up in the air and caught it in their mouth. “Pumpkin spice?” Someone shouted. I turned around and it was a professor I saw around campus, but I didn’t have any classes with her. “Y- yeah! I’m not sure what happened. What am I supposed to do?” I collapsed in confusion. “Say no more.” The professor grabbed her bottle of water and started sprinting towards Kendra and Steph. Both screaming this deathly scream. The professor leaped onto their necks. All three were struggling, the professor threw her water bottle in their mouth. Kendra and Steph both screamed and flailed all over the place. “What happens now?” I asked. “They drink it. They have to get it out of their system. Starbucks wanted to make a new pumpkin spice recipe to basically make it sell more. They went a little too out of hand and basically put a curse on all their drinks. I’ve seen this happen once yesterday on TV”. The professor stood up and brushed off her shir t and went to make a call. I glanced over and Kendra and Steph were on the floor, covered in orange goo. I run over “Are you guys okay?” Kendra and Steph looked at each other in confusion. “What the hell... I feel horrible” Kendra said. Steph didn’t say anything but just hurled all over her shir t. “I never want to have pumpkin spice ever y again.”
47
E
N
V
I
R
O
N
M
E
N
T
A
L
T
Y
P
E
OLD
MAN
RICK
48
I parked my car in a parallel parking spot. I normally don’t, but downtown gives me no choice. I squeeze out of my car, trying not to get hit by incoming traffic, and turn my camera on, making sure the lighting settings are alright. I walked around getting pictures of each thing I saw. Birds, trees, buildings, I wanted to have as much content as I came for. I noticed that a few friends from my school were here as well. I met up with them and we decided to make a pitstop at a coffee shop, Starbucks. It was the first day of Fall, so of course there were many fall themed drinks for sale. As we walked in and waited in line, we all decided to get a pumpkin spice latte. “Hi, welcome! What can I get for you today?” the barista smiled. I pulled out my phone and said “I’ll have a tall
Th ere I was, walking down Main Street, taking pictures with my girlfriend’s superior phone so my teacher would at least like the quality of my photos, wondering what kind of letters were interesting enough to use on my project. I usually feel uneasy walking downtown, which is odd, since it is supposed to be a fairly safe region in Sarasota. But sometimes I feel that people look at me with suspicion, as if I am invading their space just by making eye contact with them. Th at being said, my girlfriend and I were approached by this old man as we were walking down the street. We had seen him there a few minutes before, looking a bit lost, walking around the area as if he had nowhere to go, but, at the same time, he had the look of someone who knew exactly where he wanted to go. He introduced himself as Rick, a Vietnam War veteran who
HE INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS RICK, A VIETNAM WAR VETERAN
49
pumpkin spice latte, please!”. Turning on my Starbucks app. “Right away. Can I get a name for the order?” “Ellie.” I paid for my drink and walked over to the end counter. My f r ie n d s o r d e r e d t he s a me t hi ng a n d joi ne d me. We waited a few minutes and then saw a man walk out from the back room and gave us our drinks. “What the... Did you make those out of thin air from the back room or something?” My friend laughed. The male barista smirked and said “Yeah, we have to be careful with our recipe. It’s just a new thing we’re doing. Enjoy!” He went back to making other drinks out in the open. We obviously didn’t think anything of it
was looking forward to having his monthly dinner and shower at the local soup kitchen and veteran support center. Th at information alone was enough to make us feel the usual pity that people get when approached by someone who has much less than you do. Rick was asking us if we had any money to give him so that he could afford the small fee of seventeen dollars. He explained his story further by telling us how he approached a man earlier asking for some money was well, but the man had refused to give him anything because he
WE STRUGGLE TO SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED AROUND US
because we were about to have the sweet taste of pumpkin and cinnamon enter our taste buds.
“doesn’t help any negro on the street”. Th is kind of statement would enrage anyone that has a minimum of compassion We walked around for the most part. Taking pictures of every- for others – especially minorities – so it was clear that my girlfriend and I were saddened by what had happened with Rick. thing we saw. The sun was about to set but it was still very hot so By then, I had already decided to help him with his soup kitchen we all decided to hit the road. I decided to carpool with everyone and shower errand. I only had a ten dollar bill in my wallet and since they Ubered and it would save them a bit of money. “Did We w al ke d o u t a n d c o nt i n u e d to e nj oy o u r d r i n k s .
you guys drink all your Starbucks already?” one of my friends, Steph, asked. Everyone basically just said yes in a different way. Steph slouched back in her seat and huffed. “I don’t get why you guys couldn’t give me the rest.” She looked out the winder angrily. “Why do you assume we wouldn’t finish them?” I asked. She looked over sharply, almost like she was possessed. “I just.. I don’t know. I wanted more. I just wanted more, okay!?”
PSL THEORY
was pretty sure Rick was not taking any credit cards. I knew it Everyone in the car started to get an awkward feeling. “I was a bit of a stretch, but his story made me feel like he needed wouldn’t mind going back...” Said my other friend, Kendra. that money more than I did, so I gave it to him. Seeing the Steph parked up. “Ellie, please”. I looked back in confusion joy coming to his face as he saw how much I was giving him pointing at our stop, we were already at our campus. “You guys made it worth it for me, even though my girlfriend was a bit can go.” I picked up my cup and purse and turned the car off. skeptical about Rick’s story. That being said, I felt like it was the “Wait a minute.” Kendra said, still sitting in her seat in my car. right thing to do. But I am not “You still have some coffee left. I looked writing this to pat myself on back at her and looked at my drink. “Well, the back for doing something it’s mine. You can go get another one.” I good for someone in need. kinda felt a need to protect it. Steph and A few weeks later, we were Kendra and I, already out of the car. Steph walking around the same area, said, with a sense of hate in her eye, “I’m going to get that going to our usual pho place to have a delicious dinner, when we spotted Rick walking around with that same lost-but-not- pumpkin spice latte if it’s the last thing I do.” She jumps up on Kendra’s shoulders, and this glow starts to shape around really face, trying to escape the light rain that had started to them. “What the hell guys, what are you-” I yelled. Before I fall. He approached us, as I expected him to, but did not seem could make my sense of what was going on, Kendra and Steph to remember me or my girlfriend from before. Today, I feel a have morphed into a giant pumpkin humanoid thing. Skin as bit stupid for thinking that he would remember us, but at the
A GIANT PUMPKIN HUMANOID THING
orange as a latte, pumpkin seeds for teeth, their limbs were just spools of cinnamon. They started coming closer to me. Everyone around us screamed. I, most confused and scared as ever, grabbed my cup, turned and ran. I held it out like a smoke flair and headed towards an open area. “Oh my god... What was even in this drink.” I looked at my cup, for it was E
only half full, and noticed a yellow liquid at the bottom of the
P
drink. I must of not have gotten a lot of it in my system. “What
T
Y
the hell is this!?”. I didn’t think twice and just threw my cup at the misshapen Kendra and Steph. Their cinnamon limbs
L
grabbed it in midair, threw it up in the air and caught it in their A
mouth. “Pumpkin spice?” Someone shouted. I turned around
N
T
and it was a professor I saw around campus, but I didn’t have
M
E
any classes with her. “Y- yeah! I’m not sure what happened.
DID HE JUST CLAIM THEM BACK FROM ME?
E
N
V
I
R
O
N
time I was probably still full of myself for helping him that one time, that I almost expected him to remember us. Silly me. Rick then introduced himself and told us the same story from before. I was not surprised, since I assumed he was probably a regular of the soup kitchen and veteran support center. However, on that day, I had absolutely zero cash – not even coins – and was probably not going to give him as much money as our prior encounter. I apologized to him and wished him luck as I saw a trace of frustration on his face. Th is whole story made me think about how we, as people who actually have the privileges of a ceiling over our heads and a plate on our tables, struggle to support those in need around us. Is it hypocritical to help someone only once and expect them to have life fi gured out after we touched their poor soul with our holy blessing? Although I am still far from having a stable fi nancial life and established career, I could have given Rick so much more of my time to help him survive this hard world
52
A
we live in. But no. I decided to leave him in the rain and have my dinner at the pho place with my friends. I know I cannot help everyone around me, but I wish there was a better way to help more of the Ricks out there. However, I can’t help but think that I could be worrying about it just to feel a bit better about myself. To distract myself from acknowledging my responsibility for the existence of so many Ricks in the fi rst place. Did I give those ten dollars to Rick, or did he just claim them back from me?
S E N S E O F
What am I supposed to do?” I collapsed in confusion. “Say no
to make a new pumpkin spice recipe to basically make it sell more. They went a little too out of hand and basically put a curse on all their drinks. I’ve seen this
happen once yesterday on TV”. The professor stood up and brushed off her shirt and went to make a call. I glanced over and Kendra and Steph were on the fl oor, covered in orange goo. I run over “Are you guys okay?” Kendra and Steph looked at each other in confusion. “What the hell... I feel horrible” Kendra said. Steph didn’t say anything but just hurled all over her shirt. “I never want to have pumpkin spice ever again.”
53
E
I NEVER WANT TO HAVE P U M P K I N S P I C E AG A I N
it out of their system. Starbucks wanted
C
Kendra and Steph both screamed and flailed all over the place. “What happens now?” I asked. “They drink it. They have to get
A
struggling, the professor threw her water bottle in their mouth.
L
scream. The professor leaped onto their necks. All three were
P
more.” The professor grabbed her bottle of water and started sprinting towards Kendra and Steph. Both screaming this deathly
OLD MAN RICK Th ere I was, walking down Main Street, taking pictures with my girlfriend ’s superior phone
so my teacher would at least like the qualit y
of my photos, wondering what kind of letters
were interesting enough to use on my project.
I usually feel uneasy walking downtown, which is
odd, since it is supposed to be a fairly safe region in
Sarasota. But sometimes I feel that people look at me with suspicion, as if I am invading their space
just by making eye contact with them. Th at being said, my girlfriend and I were approached by this old
man as we were walking down the street. We had
54
seen him there a few minutes before, looking a bit
lost, walking around the area as if he had nowhere
to go, but, at the same time, he had the look of
someone who knew exactly where he wanted to go.
He introduced himself as Rick, a Vietnam War veteran who was looking forward to having his
monthly dinner and shower at the local soup kitchen
I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARALLEL PARKING SPOT
and veteran support center. Th at information alone was enough to make us feel the usual pity that people
get when approached by someone who has much less than you do. Rick was asking us if we had
A S E N S E
I parked my car in a parallel parking spot. I normally F
out of my car, trying not to get hit by incoming
O
don’t, but downtown gives me no choice. I squeeze traffi c, and turn my camera on, making sure the
L A C
I wanted to have as much content as I came for. I
P
lighting settings are alright. I walked around getting pictures of each thing I saw. Birds, trees, buildings,
E
noticed that a few friends from my school were here as well. I met up with them and we decided to make a pitstop at a coffee shop, Starbucks. It was the first day of Fall, so of course there were many fall themed drinks for sale. As we walked in and waited in line, we all decided to get a pumpkin spice latte. “Hi, welcome! What can I get for you today?” the barista smiled. I pulled out my phone and said “I’ll have a tall pumpkin spice latte, please!”. Turning on my Starbucks app. “Right away. Can I get a name for the order?” “Ellie.” I paid for my drink and walked over to the end counter. My friends ordered the same thing and joined me. We waited a few minutes and then saw a man walk out from the back room and gave us our drinks.
55
E P Y T L A T N E M E
N
V
I
R
O
N
HE FURTHER EXPLAINED HIS STORY
any money to give him so that he could afford the
“What the... Did you make those out of thin air from
his story by telling us how he approached a man
The male barista smirked and said “Yeah, we have to
man had refused to give him anything because
doing. Enjoy!” He went back to making other drinks
the back room or something?” My friend laughed.
small fee of seventeen dollars. He further explained
be careful with our recipe. It’s just a new thing we’re
earlier asking for some money was well, but the
out in the open. We obviously didn’t think anything
he “doesn’t help any negro on the street”. Th is
of it because we were about to have the sweet taste
kind of statement would enrage anyone that has
of pumpkin and cinnamon enter our taste buds.
a minimum of compassion for others – especially
We walked out and continued to enjoy our drinks.
minorities – so it was clear that my girlfriend and
We walked around for the most part. Taking pictures
I were saddened by what had happened with Rick.
of everything we saw. The sun was about to set
By then, I had already decided to help him with his
but it was still very hot so we all decided to hit
soup kitchen and shower errand. I only had a ten
the road. I decided to carpool with everyone since
was not taking any credit cards. I knew it was a
“Did you guys drink all your Starbucks already?” one
dollar bill in my wallet and was pretty sure Rick
they Ubered and it would save them a bit of money. of my friends, Steph, asked. Everyone basically
bit of a stretch, but his story made me feel like he
56
needed that money more than I did, so I gave it to
him. Seeing the joy coming to his face as he saw how much I was giving him made it worth it for me, even
though my girlfriend was a bit skeptical about Rick’s
story. That being said, I felt like it was the right thing
to do. But I am not writing this to pat myself on the
back for doing something good for someone in need.
A few weeks later, we were walking around the
same area, going to our usual pho place to have a
around with that same lost-but-not-really face, trying
A
approached us, as I expected him to, but did not
S
delicious dinner, when we spotted Rick walking
to escape the light rain that had started to fall. He
S E
remember us, but at the time I was probably still
N
Today, I feel a bit stupid for thinking that he would
E
seem to remember me or my girlfriend from before.
O F P L A
guys couldn’t give me the rest.” She looked out the winder angrily. “Why do you assume we wouldn’t finish them?” I asked. She looked over sharply, almost like she was possessed. “I just.. I don’t know. I wanted more. I just wanted more, okay!?” Everyone in the car started to get an awkward feeling. “I wouldn’t mind going back...” Said my other friend, Kendra. Steph parked up. “Ellie, please”. I looked back in confusion pointing at our stop, we were already at our campus. “You guys can go.” I picked up my cup and purse and turned the car off. “Wait a minute.” Kendra said, still sitting in her seat in my car. “You still have some coffee left. I looked back at her and looked at my drink. “Well, it’s mine. You can go get another one.” I kinda felt a need
57
E
back in her seat and huffed. “I don’t get why you
C
just said yes in a different way. Steph slouched
T
Y
P
E
I APOLOGIZED TO HIM AND WISHED HIM LUCK
E
N
V
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O
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M
E
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T
A
L
full of myself for helping him that one time, that
to protect it. Steph and Kendra and I, already out
I almost expected him to remember us. Silly me.
of the car. Steph said, with a sense of hate in her
same story from before. I was not surprised, since
it’s the last thing I do.” She jumps up on Kendra’s
Rick then introduced himself and told us the
eye, “I’m going to get that pumpkin spice latte if
I assumed he was probably a regular of the soup
shoulders, and this glow starts to shape around them. “What the hell guys, what are you-” I yelled.
kitchen and veteran support center. However, on that
Before I could make my sense of what was going
day, I had absolutely zero cash – not even coins – and
on, Kendra and Steph have morphed into a giant
was probably not going to give him as much money as
pumpkin humanoid thing. Skin as orange as a latte,
our prior encounter. I apologized to him and wished
pumpkin seeds for teeth, their limbs were just spools
him luck as I saw a trace of frustration on his face.
of cinnamon. They started coming closer to me.
Th is whole story made me think about how we, as
Everyone around us screamed. I, most confused and
people who actually have the privileges of a ceiling
scared as ever, grabbed my cup, turned and ran. I
over our heads and a plate on our tables, struggle to
held it out like a smoke fl air and headed towards an open area. “Oh my god... What was even in this drink.” I looked at my cup, for it was only half full, and noticed a yellow liquid at the bottom of the drink. I must of not have gotten a lot of it in my system. “What the hell is this!?”. I didn’t think twice and just threw my cup at the misshapen Kendra and Steph. Their cinnamon limbs grabbed it in midair, threw it up in the air and caught it in their mouth. “Pumpkin spice?” Someone shouted. I turned around and it was a professor I saw around campus, but I didn’t have any classes with her. “Y- yeah! I’m not sure what happened. What am I supposed to do?” I
58
A S
collapsed in confusion. “Say no more.” The professor
with our holy blessing? Although I am still far
deathly scream. The professor leaped onto their
S
grabbed her bottle of water and started sprinting
N
to help someone only once and expect them to have
E
support those in need around us. Is it hypocritical
F
threw her water bottle in their mouth. Kendra and
career, I could have given Rick so much more of
O
necks. All three were struggling, the professor
from having a stable fi nancial life and established
E
towards Kendra and Steph. Both screaming this
life fi gured out after we touched their poor soul
Steph both screamed and flailed all over the place. have to get it out of their system. Starbucks wanted make it sell more. They went a little too out of
I wish there was a better way to help more of
hand and basically put a curse on all their drinks.
the Ricks out there. However, I can’t help but
I’ve seen this happen once yesterday on TV”. The
think that I could be worrying about it just to
professor stood up and brushed off her shirt and
from acknowledging my responsibility for the
and Steph were on the fl oor, covered in orange
Did I give those ten dollars to Rick, or did he just
Steph looked at each other in confusion. “What
feel a bit better about myself. To distract myself
went to make a call. I glanced over and Kendra goo. I run over “Are you guys okay?” Kendra and
existence of so many Ricks in the f irst place.
the hell... I feel horrible” Kendra said. Steph didn’t
claim them back from me?
say anything but just hurled all over her shirt. “I never want to have pumpkin spice ever again.”
“PUMPKIN SPICE?” SOMEONE SHOUTED 59
E
I know I cannot help everyone around me, but
C
to make a new pumpkin spice recipe to basically
A
have my dinner at the pho place with my friends.
L
“What happens now?” I asked. “They drink it. They
in. But no. I decided to leave him in the rain and
P
my time to help him survive this hard world we live
D E S I G N E D C A I O
A R I A S
F O N T S
U S E D
J O S E F I N ADOBE
B Y
S A N S
CASLON
A L L
PRO
P H O T O S
T A K E N
F R O M
M A I N
S T R E E T
S A R A S O T A ,
F L
P R I N T E D B 2
L
U
R 0
B Y
B
I 1
N
C 8