Digital Built Environment: Georgia Tech

https://twitter.com/georgiatech

https://twitter.com/georgiatech

The Georgia Institute of Technology is a premier research institution and one of the top public schools in the country. Its variety of academic programs, teaching staff, and internship opportunities make it a leader among universities. Students from around the globe compete for admission. Gatech.edu effectively communicates the world class standing of this historic institution. The website provides comprehensive information about the school in an easy-to-navigate format.

Upon arriving at the homepage (see artifact here), there lies a compelling slide show which links to interesting stories that give the user a feel for what life is like at Tech. The tabs provide categories that most users would fall under so that the information presented beyond that point is best fit for that specific user, whether it be “parents,” “alumni,” or “prospective students.” The addition of a search bar to the homepage makes it easier for the user to find relevant content. Under the menu tab, it gives more information about who Georgia Tech is.

The site’s hundreds of pages are clean, modern, and consistently framed with black and gold. The design is intuitive, and the tabs are clearly marked and in a precise order that is most helpful to the user. In addition, the site provides stimulating and engaging photos and videos to help its user better understand the work Tech is apart of.

A unique feature I discovered on the site is a page where the user can provide feedback. Interactive fields are provided for the user to express their questions and concerns. The public has no access to directly comment on or change any information on the site, but this feedback option gives the user the feeling of freedom to express their opinion.

The many pictures on each page give me the impression that Tech is an enjoyable place with many opportunities during a student’s time at the school and after they have graduated. Although it took some concentrated searching, I found an “accessibility” link at the footer of one page. The accessibility page gives ample information on how students with disabilities are accommodated on campus. There are many links on the page to other organizations like projects at Georgia Tech whose purpose is to better the lives of those with disabilities. There is an email address for those who may have questions about Tech’s accessibility.

The website provides ample information on the research done at Tech, dining options, events around campus, sports and the music program, and much more. Tech’s website is successful in its purpose to recruit prospective students and to give details about what life could be like for the website user.

Digital Record 6 Georgia Tech

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Upon more research, I did find the web page on disabilities on the Georgia Tech website. This web page is called “accessibility” and has ample information on how Tech accommodates those or are in a wheelchair or have other disabilities, and there is a contact email and phone number that the user can contact if they have any questions.

Photo taken by me

Photo taken by me

Digital Record 5 Georgia Tech

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After clicking on “Life at Tech”, there are links to research opportunities and amenities sush as the large gym and diverse dining options. The picture shown is of active students that are walking and riding bicycles. However, no matter where I look on the website, I cannot find any information that might enlighten me on the handicap access on campus or how those with disabilities might be accommodated. This lack of access to information would automatically make me think that if I were in a wheelchair, I may not chose to go to Tech in fear that getting from class to class would be too difficult.

Photo taken by me

Photo taken by me

Digital Record 4 Georgia Tech

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A-513cYhZ2U

On the “about” page on Georgia Tech’s website, this video, “This is Georgia Tech”, gives an idea to the public about what Georgia Tech is looking for in their students. It also gives a few examples of the kind of missions and research that Tech is involved in. The new technology that Tech is working on shows that Tech has a multitude of resources readily available in order to impact the globe in a positive way.

Digital Record 3 Georgia Tech

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The Georgia Tech website is open to the public, and it is not necessary to have an account in order to view the information. There is no option for the public to add information to the website which prevents irrelevant text from accumulating such as doxing, cyber bullying, or the posting of inaccurate information. The site is attractive as it is straight edged, well organized, and sticks to the theme of black and gold colors.

Photo was taken by me

Photo was taken by me

Digital Record 2 Georgia Tech

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On the desktop version of the website, there is a link on the aforementioned banner that says, “look at why more international students are competing to come to Georgia Tech, and what their lives are like once they’re here” (Georgia Tech). After clicking on the link, I get a page about how 10% of all the applications Tech receives are from international students. It also talks about the financial standpoint of Tech mentioning that for its comparatively average tuition and above average academic experience, you will get more bang for your buck at Tech most other schools.

Photo taken by me

Photo taken by me

Digital Record 1 Georgia Tech

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The first thing you see when coming to the Georgia Institute of Technology’s website is a banner along the screen with four people from a diverse cultural background. The message is portrayed that people from all cultures are welcome at this university, and that they currently have a very diverse student body. This can encourage international students to seriously consider Tech as an option for their education.

Photo taken by me

Photo taken by me

 

Interior Built Environment Description Sweet Auburn Market

The Sweet Auburn Curb Market, on Edgewood Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia, strikes people in many different ways. It can be visualized as a piece of Atlanta’s history, a gathering place of community, or a convenient place to stop for lunch. Walking through the maze of booths, there is so much to see and to smell. As soon as you enter the market, the smells of grilled hamburgers and sweet popcorn fill your nose.

 

The environment symbolizes a warehouse with the visible, rustic piping and concrete flooring. The neatly decorated booths clearly advertise what they sell and are more professional looking than a typical market. The authentic decor at each station makes it unique from the rest and makes some stations more attractive than others depending on the shopper’s preference.

 

Throughout the building there are vendors that sell fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meat, and they even have a walk up pharmacy for convenience. As a visitor of Atlanta, the market is a must-see landmark, and it can easily be enjoyed from being surrounded by the smiling faces and freshly cooked food. On the other hand, booths like the pharmacy are more commonly visited by the community members as opposed to the Atlanta explorers. Families of Atlanta have relied on the market for decades in the case that they do not have the transportation to go to a grocery store. For some, the market is the only place where access to fresh food is available.

“Sweet Auburn Curb Market Photos.” Yelp. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016. .

“Sweet Auburn Curb Market Photos.” Yelp. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016. <http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sweet-auburn-curb-market-atlanta?start=120>.

In addition, the market is a place of reliance for people like Matt Hinton who works as a part time teacher and was not making enough money to support his family. The market gave him an opportunity to start his own restaurant, Bell Street Burritos. Since the market opened in 1924, it has given entrepreneurs like Matt a place where a new or small business can have the chance to be successful. The market provides an opportunity for vendors to have a stall as opposed to having to dedicate much more time and money to open a storefront. The stall allows someone to open their restaurant much sooner in the case that they do not have the resources to open their own store. This dual responsibility that the market has for its visitors allows people to realize how important having fresh foods is and the crucial role that the market plays in its community.

Digital record 5 Sweet Auburn Market

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"Sweet Auburn Curb Market Photos." Yelp. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016. .

“Sweet Auburn Curb Market Photos.” Yelp. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016. <http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sweet-auburn-curb-market-atlanta?start=120>.

This photo of the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, located in Atlanta, Georgia, gives an idea of the hustle and bustle that passes through the market on a day to day basis. The historic “Municipal Market” sign looms above the visitor’s heads to give a prod reminder of the progress that the community has undergone.

Digital record 4 Sweet Auburn Market

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“Sweet Auburn Curb Market Photos.” Yelp. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016. .

“Sweet Auburn Curb Market Photos.” Yelp. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016. <http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sweet-auburn-curb-market-atlanta?start=120>.

The Sweet Auburn Market, located in Atlanta, Georgia, provides many convenient resources to its community. The market consists of restaurants, bakeries, a produce stall, a fresh meat stall, and this walk up pharmacy. The market puts a big emphasis on accessibility so that those who do not have access to transportation can have a close place to stop by when they need a prescription filled or buying groceries for the night’s meal.