Located in the Georgia State University Libraries first floor is jammed packed with students socializing and working on school work. Filling the room is the sounds of people talking, coffee machines clanking, and light music coming out of the speakers. The row of lights from the ceiling give off a warm welcoming glow that bounces off of the yellow walls. Every seat is packed full of students and they show the wear and tear of how many people come in here every day. There are large couches and high top tables but also booths and chairs everywhere. There is a line of people starting at the glass door and ending at the busy cash register. Peoples names are being called out above the noise of space.

Saxbys has a warm, calm feel to it. Much like a Starbucks or a Panera Bread, from the warm glow of the line of lights bouncing off the calm yellow walls. To add to the overall feel of the space there is the sounds of clicking keyboards from the student’s laptops, soft conversations, music playing from the speakers, and the news could be heard. This was a place for students to come and relax, grab a cup of coffee and get their work done. The chairs and booths were worn down from all of the customer traffic; there are visible holes on the seats from all the people who sat here. This is a comfortable space that provides huge leather couches for people to sit in and drink their coffee or eat their small meal.

There are people moving in and out of the space. People waiting in the line for their turn to order. Others waiting on the other side of the line for their name or number to be called. The rest of the people were filling the chairs and tables with their food and drinks and laptops. The two leather couches are fill of friends sitting practically on top of each other, trying to get the best spot in the entire space. Some people are alone sitting with their headphones in and typing away at their laptops. Others had friends who they were sitting with and talking to.

Students mostly fill the café with their book bags on their back, and their laptops or wallets in their hands. Since it is so close, being right on campus, on the first floor of the library; it is so easy for students to come too. It is a nice place to get away from the loud hectic library, that is why so many students come here.

The moment someone gets off the escalator into IKEA’s upstairs display room, they will see arrows projected on the floor that lead to various rooms; each space made into a bedroom or living area with a unique design. Additionally, all the displayed furniture have red and white tags attached to them with given individual names, but none that sound familiar. Surrounding the rooms are also small racks and shelves that are filled with several household objects, such as cushions and kitchen utensils, but the bulk of the furniture that can actually be purchased lies below this floor, where there are masses of furniture sitting on top of towering shelves, and smaller objects on smaller shelves.

The purpose of the display room is to provide people with ideas on ways that they can improve their household, or enhance their interior. All the rooms have different styles because everyone has different tastes, but they are all aesthetically pleasing to the eye.This causes customers to buy more merchandise, because they may think that since it looks good at the store, then it will look good in their houses as well. To add on, the whole entire space is neat and organized, which gives off the message of order to the customers. As mentioned earlier, each product contains a tag with numbers, which is used to find the location of the actual object on the shelves. Without this number, a customer would be wandering the aisles for hours or wasting time trying to explain the exact product to a worker. Because of the convenience system that IKEA has, people tend to buy more.

Walking the aisles of IKEA are individuals that are all different, but have one thing in common. They are all constantly turning their heads, scanning the space to look for the object that they are finding. Some stop every five seconds to examine a certain product that caught their eyes, but others speed through the walkways because they already know what they are searching for. The majority of the people are lugging carts, that are burdensome but a necessity when shopping at IKEA.

The type of people in this space are husbands that have been dragged by their wives to come with them because they need their muscles to lift heavy objects. It is obvious that they are not that ecstatic about being there by the looks of their face, but that does not stop the wives from grabbing their arms and telling them to pick up the white shelf. There are also people like college students, who have come with their friends to go dorm shopping. You can tell by looking at the contents inside their cart, which is filled with: bed covers, pillows, curtains, table lamps, and a stuffed doll on top. Although I do not know the personal lives of everyone that comes to IKEA, it can be said that they are there because they are trying to improve the interior of some space in some way.

As I go down the stairs that lead to the Piedmont Central’s dining hall, I can already hear the chatter and noise. The room was well lit from the sun beaming inside the huge windows. The smell of the mixture food hits my noise and I can see all of the colorful food available to eat, ranging from international foods to vegan foods.

As I walk in the dining hall around dinner time, I noticed how the room is packed with hungry Georgia State students. Somehow, all of the lines for the food and drinks are long. Inside the dining hall, there are some stations where students can see and order their food, for example, the smoothie station, the omelets station, and the international food station. These popular stations are meant for the student to be able to customize their food and usually have a long waiting line too.

The main people who are in the dining hall are hungry students who have either came straight from class or are with their friends eating together. Many students like coming to the dining hall to eat with their friends so there are often a group of people crowding around a small table.  Other people who are in the dining hall are the employers such as the cooks or the student workers. Many of the workers are moving fast in order to clean off the tables in order for more students to eat their meal or rapidly cooking more food.

Many students enjoy eating at Piedmont Central’s dining hall because the dining hall is right on the 1^st floor of the building and is conveniently located for Piedmont Central’s residents. Other students who are not Piedmont Central’s residents enjoy eating at the dining hall because Piedmont Central has more food options than the other dining halls at Patton Hall or Piedmont North.

In the lobby of the College of Education I observed a couple of things. While there I noticed a large turquoise couch attached to the wall, the backs adorned with a diamond pattern colored with different shades of brown fabric. The couch is usually covered with several college students lying on it either relaxing after a long day, or in some rare cases sleeping. There are also three small square tables with two metallic grey chairs in them, and three cubicles where the students can have privacy. In the middle of the room is a place where four more turquoise couches are sat in a square with a small table in the middle. In the side of the room there is a sort of screen broadcasting upcoming events, in addition all of the walls are covered in the a grey cloth except the wall with the couches which is covered by a wood-like material. The whole floor is covered in a thick dark-grayish carpet with a checkerboard pattern.

Most of the objects in the place are there to help people, most likely the students/staff relax after a long day. The couches there are used by the students walking in and out to sit on, with their laptops on their laps to finish whatever they have to do. The cubicles are their for a more private setting for the students. There they can do whatever they need to do without being disturbed by someone walking by distracting them. The small square tables though are used by the passer-byers to both do work or eat on. The middle chairs are used by the people to socialize, and talk to each other.

The people who came to the lounge are usually students, and staff including the custodians. Some came in formal wear, and some came casually. Others came comfortably in gym shorts, and sweatpants. They are all carrying bags of all sorts; they have book bags, laptop bags, purses etc.There are a lot of different people in the space, all different shapes, and sizes.

Most of the people here just came to lounge around on the small, but comfortable couches. The people who came came to have peace to study, do work, or have peace, and quiet to sleep, and lounge around. There are  some students who are on their laptops tapping away at the keys on the keyboard taking care of whatever business that they have. One person though was asleep, stretched out on the comfortable couch.

As you present and swipe your GSU ID, you are allowed entrance in the exclusive GSU Library. While spacious it is also compact, holding many amenities for the student’s needs. When shortly scanning the sleek feel of the library you can easily notice the amount computers it holds on it’s floors. In addition to this, it includes private study rooms made in replica of a classroom equipped with whiteboards and charging outlets. The library staff is always prepared for the occupants of the library as they are specialized. This space is tailored to the assistance of its occupants in full.

Almost everything in this library serves the purpose of information gathering. Whether it be electronically by way of the internet or tangibly by way of a book or academic research guide, once you enter its as if information is at your fingertips. This creates a sense of pursuit and desire in this space. When the library enters a person’s mind, its because they desire something and they come to the library to pursue it using all the mediums of information. Having open access to tools for information gathering instills a feeling of opportunity.

Immediately upon observation, you can quickly notice the amount of population at the library. Even when it’s not at the peak hour, the GSU library is flooded with students, staff, and visitors alike. Results after minimally tailing a GSU student present that students usually arrive at the library with a sole purpose in mind. Once they reach their specific location, they execute whatever action necessary whether that be homework, essays, research, or even analytical observation. Shortly after, they exit and continue on with their daily activities.

The people in this space highly value that privacy and silence that they can’t get anywhere else. With GSU being such a populous and loud campus, the library is almost like an escape for them. They have assignments that need to be done and this is a self-designated place by them to do it. They also value how comfortable the space as a whole feels in the library. A student is able to walk in, head to a specific location, then plug in some headphones and begin working. Most, if not all students, will greatly value the alone time they can receive here.

The space I am observing is the dining hall at Patton. The space has two walls full of windows that let in plenty of light. The room is filled with tables and chairs. The space also contains condiment and silverware on round islands that stretch from ceiling to floor. There is part of the space that is a serving area with assortments of foods and a drink station.

The objects like the tables and chairs serve as seating and create a sense of community for students, staff, or anyone that is eating in the dining hall. The food is displayed for obvious reasons. This space is a space for eating and that cannot be done without food available for people. The drink stations serve to accommodate whoever is eating in the dining hall.

There are several people in this space. It is around 12 pm and many students, girls and boys, are entering and leaving the dining hall, most carrying book bags. Many are sitting, eating, and socializing with peers. A few are sitting alone on laptops or on their phone.

The people in this space are mostly students at Georgia State. All of them are presumably on a meal plan because students with meal plans are allowed access to the dining halls. These students choose to occupy this space to eat and meet up with fellow peers. It is a common area for many on campus.

As I stand in the lobby of the Piedmont B building, I see how to the left of me there are tables for the students to sit and have discourse on various topics or to engage in late night studying.  There are multiple televisions at the entrance that are at the inhabitants disposal(though only one person occupies this sector of the space) that may broadcast the news or the latest pop video.  As I walk deeper into the lobby, there is a door that leads to a study area, filled with desktops and more tables and chairs for people to sit(though it is empty).  To the right of this door, a separate entrance to a lounging area filled with booths (that contain a small mounted tv),couches, a large window with a view of a field and the smaller Piedmont Building A, and bar seats with available with outlets. At least one person is occupying each section.

The various tables, chairs, and couches that dwell in this space give off a “relaxed” message for a potential occupant (which are the purpose for the existence of these objects in such space).  They occupy the space to provide an area for possible discussion, self-discovery, or peer recreation.  The televisions provide one message that is evident- communication.  Besides this, the overall space makes occupants adapt to the shape of the environment.  They(the occupants) can only go in specific directions due to space limitations.

Occupants of this space sit and stare at their MacBooks with various edibles in their reach.  Some are on the couches “double-tapping” their screens.  Many are moving in and out the various sectors of the lobby once they complete their initial task while some have been here for hours whether meeting with friends, studying, or waiting for their favorite series to start.  Due to it being 8:20pm, there are various groups of students inhabiting the space and displaying various emotions.

There is a group of female students in front of me having a meeting .  They chose this particular space to fit the needs of their small group.  To the right of them are two girls studying in a booth with the television being turned off.  They have put their earphones in to eliminate the sound of the group of girls beside them.  Although they could study in their room, perhaps they chose this space for the atmosphere.  Behind me, there is one girl on her laptop and one boy waiting for his favorite series to come on.  The girl  seems to have chose this space to be to herself, as she has been in the same chair for quite some time.  The boy has just sat down in front of the mounted television, maybe due to the fact he may not have one in his own room.

The courtyard is a very popular place for students and staff. The big fountain is the center hot point of the courtyard with steps here and there, tables, chairs, and lots of bushes surrounding it, as well as tents for advertisement. There’s siding of buildings that come out a little far and provide shade for students from the blaring and burning sun. As well as posters and flyers everywhere for advertisement.

The courtyard in general is designated for students, either to study, converse, or advertise news for the school. The fountain allows a sense of calmness and tranquility. The tables and chairs for students lure them in to do homework, or just to sit down and take a break. Everyone outside scrambles like ants to sit down so the cement blocks coming out from where the many bushes are allows many more seats, as to why they were built that way. The awnings made are for the students seeking away from the sun, as it’s always hot in Georgia.

There’s such a diverse population at Georgia state, in the courtyard. A group of smokers stay off to the side, smoking their cigarettes, letting the smoke fill the air. There’s tents filled with people advertising part time job openeings for students. There’s people in the chairs, in front of the bushes, eating a sandwhich, listening to music, or completing an assignment. And as I people watch, there is people, people watching themselves to others.

The students occupy this space because either they’re passing by time before their next class, or either they got to class a little early, or class just ended. The courtyard is an easy cut through for students or staff, traveling to another building right beside each other. The girls yelling dollar donuts know students are hungry in the morning and need a bite to each on the way to class quickly and cost friendly. The tent advertisers know students are in need for a job and need help with college tuition, as to why they advertise in such a student crowded area. The courtyard is a very adventurous place to observe, be, and to interact.

Walking through the courtyard in between Langdale and Sparks Hall is this large building with automated doors and GSU security in the entrance you are at the library. You walk in to see large stairwell leading up to several other floors, students on computers,reading, talking, writing. There are several places to sit booths,tables, comfy chairs and Saxs coffee located on the first floor when you need that extra fix. There are lines of desk topped with computers as far as the eye can see and book shelves with a countless number of books.

The chairs occupy this space because it opens an invitation to stay and get comfortable. The computers are there for you to do work or use for whatever purpose they may need. Saks coffee is there inviting you in with the nice aroma that flow under your nose as you sit and work, they are there for the revenue.  The tables , the seating, books, and the coffee shop creates a feel of comfort and relaxation.These things could spark a conversation ,maybe someone could help you with your work, or maybe you could make a life long friend.

Workers, college students, professors all occupy this space. You have the people at the front available to help and answer any question you may need. People are typing on the computers and writing. Some are in a cozy corner reading or others just running in to use the printer. Others are in study groups working together and some engaging in cordial conversation or just relaxing and enjoying downtime.

Many people occupy this space the oriental boy with the short black hair, the  caucasian girl with the long straight hair, the professor with the nice suit, or the athlete with the basketball shorts and the t-shirt. They all choose to occupy this space for one reason or another but they can get what they need done here. Rather it be them working, reading, or just simply relaxing you have the option of all these things in one place. You can get a cup of coffee and study or just meet up with someone but they are guaranteed the peace and quiet they may not receive anywhere else.

The space is crowded as always. The smell of cigarettes and loud talking fills the air. People are coming in and out of the library, while others are just sitting around talking with friends. Sometimes it’s just a group sitting on the wall or it’s just two friends standing in the way creating traffic. Then, you see the different clubs or organizations set up. They have colorful posters presenting their ideas or a loud talking person that advertises the idea instead. But with all its busyness, the place is beautiful. Seeing people from all walks of life come together, enjoying the fresh air and enjoying life is what makes the quad beautiful.

The walls indicate a spot to take a load off. Whether they’re just waiting for a friend or talking to a friend, the walls provide them with an option to sit. The fountain serves as something to help the students relax. Most students sit by the fountain to write, draw, or do classwork. Overall, the walls and fountain give off the message of welcome, so a lot of people choose to occupy the space.

Students are majority of the people that occupy the space. Some are just rushing by to get to their next class, and some are just sitting on the walls conversing with friends or classmates. Some are coming out of the library. The ones that are sitting you can always hear their whole conversation and occasional laughter. As for the ones that are rushing by, all you hear are the occasional grunts they give if someone is in their way. The ones coming out of the library start to get loud as they embrace the fact that they no longer have to whisper.

The type of people that occupy the quad are just everyday people. They choose to occupy the quad for one reason and that’s freedom. The freedom to express the thoughts that they couldn’t say to their professors. The freedom to be you. Most importantly, the freedom to enjoy all the beauty the quad has to offer.

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