I've decided that I want the TCU Bookstore to be my public space. I've decided this because it a building that looks very inviting with its big windows and doors on the corner of two busy streets. This building is obviously meant for college students, but I am wondering how many other people use this space and what draws them in. The Bookstore doesn't only have books, but also school supplies, TCU merchandise and a Starbuck's Cafe.
I expect to see a lot more college students there than adults. I would think that many students would be drinking Starbuck's coffee and either studying or hanging out with a friend or two, but of course I can't forget about the teachers and other adults that also love a Starbuck's drink. I also expect to find the majority of the people buying TCU merchandise to be students. In the Barnes and Noble section, I expect to find a large range of people as there are novels, magazines and also children's books.
As a TCU college student, I am a part of the target audience. I, however, do not use this space often. This is because, though the bookstore is a convient place to buy things, I think that it is too overpriced. I don't really have any preconcieved ideas about what I will find other than what I've said above. I'm excited to get started on this project so that I can find out who uses this space at various times of the day and what they use it for. Maybe I'll even find something that draws me in more too.
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Erin,
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of in your shoes too. I don't go to the bookstore that often either. I think that it would be hard to study in the bookstore because of everything that is going on in there but, I see a lot of people who say that its a great place to study. This is a great topic because you all ready know the target audience of their advertising but you just want to find a few other things out. I believe that there being a Starbucks in the bookstore will add something interesting to what you are looking at because of the diverse crowd that likes Starbucks coffee. Good posting!
I think the bookstore would be quite intriguing to analyze! There are tons of messages there because of the size and variety of the place, and it would be interesting to discern between each of those messages. I have to wonder to, is it an argument in itself that everything's so overpriced? (I agree, too, by the way haha)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input Erin! Yea I don't exactly think that there will be a time when i will not know my server because it's a pretty small staff at blue mesa. But maybe i can go to one of the other blue mesas and try it out! thanks! I think your plan to analyze the TCU bookstore will be interesting because it is a very different atmosphere with multiple motives. Ultimately, I'm sure it's stakeholders are very concerned with making money but there has a to be a strong ethical aspect behind it which would strive to make it an efficient and inviting place for TCU students because not only are the students required to get their books (which the bookstore has), but it has all kinds of other appeals like you mentioned: coffee, clothes, recreational books, etc. I look forward to your portfolio's turnout! good luck!
ReplyDeleteHey Erin! i think that using the bookstore is a great idea! I myself never go in there to study, but i can never seem to walk by it without going in to either shop or buy coffee. The clothing part of the bookstore is so alurring to me because i guess i can never seem to have enough tcu apparel, so id pay extra attention to that. The upstairs with all of the little trinkets seems to do a pretty good business too, my roomate bought all of her bed pillows from there. It really quite the diverse buliding haha
ReplyDeleteThe bookstore would be a very good space to observe. Im curious to see which part of the bookstore you focus most on. Starbucks seems to be the perfect place to start. should be interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Erin,
ReplyDeleteYou've chosen an excellent public space. You're part of the target audience, which may both aide and hinder your observations. And I'm glad that you are extending your prospective audience to community adults-- this may be an interesting way to extend your meaning-making of the cultural influence of the place.
AI