Thought Paper 10: Fisherman's Wharf

Kendall Steele

25 November 2012

FYS: Visualizing San Francisco

Professor Asher

Fisherman’s Wharf

When I first went to Fisherman’s Wharf, I was expecting a certain type of demographic to overwhelm the district. I assumed that like the name, the district catered to fisherman and their jobs. I was expecting to find boats flocking at the bay, while the smell of fish overwhelmed my nostrils. Boy was I wrong. Fisherman’s Wharf used to be a big supplier of fish, but in today’s society, the district makes the majority of its revenue from tourists. Tourists come from all over the country to see the historical district. The signage of this area is focused on getting the attention of tourists. This signage can be seen in a multitude of things.

            Firstly, the trolleys that are used throughout Fisherman’s Wharf have a great deal of influence over the tourists. In my opinion, this form of transportation is signage in itself. When people think of Fisherman’s Wharf, they immediately think of the bright red trolley with green highlights that shuffle people from the docks to Ghirardelli Square. The trolley is a trademark to the district. They are nostalgic vessels that transport tourists back into the late 1800s when Fisherman’s Wharf was established. Sure they are not the most efficient form of transportation, but they are a great way to really see Fisherman’s entire Wharf in a timely manor. To me, the trolleys remind of the laid back attitude that Fisherman’s Wharf was established on. This form of transportation allows the tourist to appreciate the scenery of the Wharf while still getting from one end to the other.

Now that I have discussed the signage of the Trolleys, I would like to discuss the famous logo that is found all around Fisherman’s Wharf. To be sure you understand, the logo I am discussing is circular and reads Fisherman’s Wharf, of San Francisco. In the center of the logo rests an orange/red crab. The crab represents all that was Fisherman’s Wharf. When this district was established, it was used to provide freshly caught sea critters to the surrounding inhabitants. One of the most important catches being, both king and snow crabs. This industry taught many people the positives of eating crab, which was before thought of as peasant food, unfit for the consumption of the middle and upper class. Even though the Fisherman’s Wharf is not the most prominent fish market anymore, it takes pride in its roots. This sign pay homage to the once great fishing district.

Now that I have discussed to signage components that add to the overall mood of the Wharf, I would like to discuss how this once infamous fishing district transformed into a tourist destination. The earthquake of 1906 is the great contributor to the shift. This earthquake was colossal. People did their best to squeeze onto the boats that were docked at the bay, but a lot of damage followed suite. Looking at a picture from the past, I was shocked by the amount of garbage and debris that was left by the earthquake. After the earthquake, the Wharf had a difficult time landing on its feet. Revenue was not coming in, and something had to be done. Finally, the new Fisherman’s Wharf was established in 2001 one. From then one, the Wharf has become a great source for San Francisco’s income.

All of these factors play into the importance of Fisherman’s Wharf. I love taking the bus over to the Wharf when I have time, and learning about it’s history. Plus the food is terrific!

Thought Paper 9: North Beach/Little Italy

Kendall Steele

17 November 2012

FYS: Discovering San Francisco

Professor Asher

Little Italy

Getting to North Beach was quite a trip. First, we got on the 5. After riding the five all the way to Kearny, I dismounted off the platform and waited for another bus. As I got on the 31 I was surprised by the amount of Hawaiian t-shirts and flip-flops that surrounded me. I wasn’t headed towards an airport or a tourist destination, or so I thought. To my surprise, the signage of North Beach was identifying with a specific demographic, tourists. North Beach, commonly referred to as Little Italy, is a place where non San Franciscan natives flock. The streets are constantly buzzing, and the clicking of cameras seizes to stop. The signage of this district appeals to this specific demographic. Let me explain.

As I was walking through Little Italy, I came across a sign that read “Tony’s Pizza Napoletana.” How Italian is that? This signage is a great example of the rhetorical strategies this district is using to uphold a certain reputation. This pizza joint is clearly portraying itself as a very Italian restaurant, something equivalent to the real deal in Rome or Tuscany.  Using a generic Italian name and actually incorporating an Italian word, makes this sign look authentic, which in turn will appeal to tourists who are looking for a realistic taste of Italy. Now I would like to discuss another form of signage I discovered while touring the district.

Italians are known for their love of sports, specifically the sport of soccer, referred to as football by Italians. The art and craftsmanship of sport is something that Italians hold dear to their hearts, right before family and right after food. Therefore, sports clubs are a common occurrence in Italian towns and cities. Staying true to the authenticity of Italy, Little Italy has its very own Italian Athletic Club. This signage I have is a stencil that was applied on one of the walls of the club. The sign is facing the busy communal street that many tourists use as they pass by. The colors of the Italian flag and the use of wings are very Italian.

Overall, the district is holding on to the roots of its founders, immigrants from Europe, specifically Italy. Little Italy is a great place to visit, because as someone familiar with Italian culture, you feel as though you are transported across sees onto another continent where the cuisine is top priority.

Assignment 8: North Beach/Little Italy

Photo 1: Caffe Maria...delicious

Photo 2: Pizza joint, very popular

Photo 3: comunal athletic club 

Photo 4: veyr beautifully old church

Photo 5: authentic bakery

Photo 6: up close of the bakery

Photo 7: yep!

Photo 8: signage on the ground

Photo 9: more signage of Little Italy

Photo 10: the very famous book store, have to have a picture

Thought Paper 8: Haight, Castro, Harvey Milk and the Duboce Park

Kendall Steele

6 November 2012

Professor Asher

FYS: Discovering San Francisco

Threes Company

            Do you know what amazes me about San Francisco? I’m struck by the individual culture each district has identified with. Sure within each district there is a multitude of different opinions and alternative lifestyles, but there is a specific motif that represents each district. After spending Monday after walking around Lower Haight, the Castro District, and both the Harvey Milk Center and the Duboce Park, I discovered not only the similarities of these communities, but I discovered the differences within each community. I discovered these differences by comparing signage between the three districts.

            As our class walked done Haight to reach the Castro district, my eyes were not focusing on the long and steep hill ahead of me. Rather, my eyes quickly scanned the vibrant and playful signage that surrounded my pathway. Our professor pointed out a few places of interest. A store dedicated to the Tibetan culture, a market similar to a Whole Foods or a Trader Joe’s, and a multitude of other unique independent shops. What distinguishes these stores from others in Union Square or the Marina is the colorful and over the top signage used to capture prospective customers. The vibrant color palette and the optical allusions displayed across the exterior of these shops are alluring to the eye. The signage is appealing to a person’s senses. In a way, the signage of Haight is engaging. People stop and take a second look at a window display, or glide their fingers over a mural, feeling the different textures of the wall. Therefore, Haight’s signage is distinct from other districts because it is engaging and over the top.

            Now that I have talked about the signage of Haight, I would like to move on and talk about the Castro district. The Castro district is known for its large population of gay and gay accepting residents. Therefore it is appropriate to claim that the signage of this district appeals to the gay and gay friendly community. As I walked through the Castro district, I saw many flags of support and several shops that featured advertisements to the gay population. Specifically, I took notice of a sign that read “Stop the Violence: Stop Hate.” This sign is of huge significance, because the backwards triangle represented in the signage was originally used as a prejudice signifier of gay affiliation during the time of Hitler’s regime during WWII. From the signage I was exposed in the Castro district, I have no problem claiming that the signage of this district is gay friendly.

            Now that I have finished discussing the signage of the Castro district, I want to begin talking about the Harvey Milk Center and the Duboce Park. From the exterior, the Harvey Milk Center looks like any other public center, like a YMCA. However, the interior is quite different from the understated façade. As I opened the doors and entered into the building, I was met with warm colors and comfy chairs. As you walk out onto the balcony, you are met with a beautiful view of the Duboce Park. As I looked into the distance, I saw dogs and their owners playing on the grass. Therefore, I believe that the signage of the Harvey Milk Center and the Duboce Park is not only public to you and I, but to dogs.

All three districts share many similarities, but it is their differences that define them.

Assignment 8: Haight, Castro, Delores Park

Photo 1: Park of Harvey Milk

Photo 2: Polling Place

Photo 3: Harvey Milk Information

Photo 4: Harvey Milk Center

Photo 5: Second photo of park

Photo 6: Public Sign

Photo 7: Funny Graffiti

Photo 8: Expressing Gay Acceptence

Photo 9: Harvey Milk's dog park

Photo 10: Democratic Life

Photo 11: The Castro

Photo 12: Diesel supporting Gay rights

Photo 13: WWII symbol being reused in a positive way

Photo 14: more gay pride

Photo 15: view from the top

Photo 16: Entrance to Delores Park

Photo 17: Another View of Delores

Thought Paper 7: Chinatown

Kendall Steele

26 October 2012

Professor Asher

FYS: Discovering San Francisco

Chinatown

Chinatown has been featured in several movies and shows. This San Francisco district is shown as a colorful and eccentric neighborhood, where the party never stops. What people are unfamiliar with is how this neighborhood became a famous tourist attraction. Today, I would like to give a brief overview of Chinatown, and how the signage of Chinatown has progressed to such a degree that it hardly resembles the original layout.

            During the late 1840s, the American Gold Rush had people from all over the world immigrating to the states, specifically California. At this time, California was not the potluck that it currently is. Rather, people were unaware of other cultures. When Chinese men and women immigrated to the mines, people were upset because the mining field was now overrun by a different culture. Therefore, these newly San Franciscans were hurried out of the mines and settled in what is now Chinatown. This group of people, were discriminated to such a degree, that their culture thrived because these immigrants spent all their time with each other, within their district.

            Something that sets Chinatown apart from other cultures is “the over the top” signage plastered around the district. Everything in Chinatown has a sign on it nowadays. Also, the signage is designed in such a way that it is appealing specifically to tourists and such. The previous culture that I mentioned has slowly disappeared. Yes, there are a lot of Chinese traditions within the neighborhood, but the culture itself is more worried about making money through tourists. That is how this neighborhood has survived for so long. In the late 1800s when Chinatown was new and still developing, the streets were dirt and there was little to no signage featured within the city. Before Chinatown developed into the tourist stop it is today, the signs that were posted were solely for necessity. The picture that I am referencing is from the old Chinatown, where the streets were empty, and people were just doing their best to put food on the table. Their concern was different; therefore the signage was different as well.

            Overall, the atmosphere that envelops Chinatown is great. It is loud, it is fun and it is totally unique. Even though Chinatown has undergone a multitude of remodels, the history of the city is still there. A lot of it can be shown through the architecture, and the vibrant colors sprawled about the city. 

Thought Paper 6: Union Square and Tenderloin District

Kendall Steele

24 October 2012

Professor Asher

FYS: Visualizing San Francisco

The Differences We See

San Francisco is full of character. People from all over, with different backgrounds come to San Francisco to make a name for themselves. Some people exceed their expectations, while others have a difficult time making it out of the starting gate. So where do these people reside? Well, though stereotypes are unfair and misleading, it isn’t to far of a stretch to claim that the majority of people living in Union Square are people who have made. Where as, the people living in the Tenderloin district are most likely part of the group that is struggling. What really makes this scenario interesting is that these two districts are so different from each other, yet they are next door to one another. The differences of these districts can be scene through the signage displayed through the districts. Let me explain.

            To begin with, the signage that is found within the Tenderloin district is vastly different from the signage displayed in Union Square. When our class walked through the Tenderloin district, we saw many signs for homeless centers, drug centers, and shops that are offering food and produce for extremely low prices. They were also a lot of signs for sex shops and nude shows. However, the one sign that really effected me, was one that read, “Syringe Access Services: Needle Exchange.” This in my opinion is a sign that represents the Tenderloin district. This sign is designed for the residents of this district. Based off of this sign, we can assume that the demographic of this neighborhood is of people who have lost their way and are coping with their lives through the use of drugs. Though this is not a truth for the whole community. In fact, I saw a sign that represented the improvement being made in this district. This sign was on the side of a car. It read, “City and County of San Francisco: Homeless Outreach Team.” So overall, the signage displayed around the Tenderloin district depicted its residents as misfits, but there were glimpses of hope here and there like the signage I mentioned above.

            Now that I have talked about the Tenderloin District, I am going to talk about the signage of Union Square and how it varies. When we walked through Union Square, I was not surprised by the amount of signage. There were countless signs that promoted different clothing stores. A lot of signs also promoted food and beverages. But, when I did walk into the mall, I was shocked to see a currency exchange sign. This sign in my opinion, really represents the stereotype of Union Square. To many people, the district is seen as a place of wealth and prestige. The majority of shops found in the mall are expensive and couture. Even the food has a pricey tag. So this sign depicts the people residing in Union Square as people with extra money in their pockets. There were no homeless shelter signs in this part of the city. In fact, compared to the Tenderloin district, there were very few homeless people walking around.

            From examining both districts, it is easy to see that there is a clear distinction between the two. The signage of each district is hand picked to specifically appeal to the residents.