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I think this photo really captures the essence of Criminal Records. Not only does it show the layout of the store, but it also shows how decorative and colorful the space is. Aisles and aisles of records consume much of the space; music posters and framed albums decorate the walls. Some would call the shop cluttered, but I think it adds to the ambiance. There is so much to explore within a fairly small space, I can see why customers get lost for hours.
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This is a photo I took of the Criminal Records sign that can be found in the back of the store. The sign is made of tin and although it is hard to tell from the picture, it is quite large. This sign shows the shop’s iconic logo. Underneath it are wooden bins holding records, which is how these artifacts are arranged all over the store. The wall behind the sign is a light green color, which is a repeating theme throughout the shop. This color, in my opinion, gave the store a calm feel, but still spiced up the space with some color.
on The Virginia-Highlands is a neighborhood within the city of Atlanta; it is located in between Druid Hills and Midtown, north of Little Five Points. The lovely neighborhood has record of settlement dated back to the early 1800’s. Virginia-Highlands has a mixture of urban shops, trendy restaurants, and suburban bungalows. As I strolled around Virginia-Highlands, I realized there is a lot more than meets the eye. To a passerby the space just appears as a nicer part of Atlanta with some shops and places to eat. However, I discovered so much more as I began listening, watching, and feeling the area that surrounded me.
Cheerful pastel colors like orange, green, and blue covered the storefronts and made me feel welcome and eager to explore. The space is very easy to move around in, free of crowds and obstacles. Many of the restaurants have outdoor patios, balconies, and some even have entire walls open to the outdoors. The signage is very useful and clear. I noticed markers above many of the street signs; they read ‘Historic Atkins Park’. Atkins Park is a large area within Virginia-Highlands that came about in the early 1900’s. These act as boundaries for the area and let people know when they have entered or left Virginia Highlands. I found these very helpful as I meandered around. From time to time I would look up and notice the signs were not present anymore, which was my queue to turn around. The majority of the neighborhood is laid out in such a way that the homes are on one side of the street while the attractions are on the other. This keeps the homes separate from any noise that nightlife may produce, giving those streets more of a suburban atmosphere.
As I continued my exploration around the area I began to notice all the different sounds that met my ears. Pleasant music crept out of open shop windows, fallen leaves rustling across the concrete, and cars slowly passing by. The speed limit within the area is fairly slow, so this eliminates most sounds of vehicles zooming by. I stopped by a coffee shop called Henry and Jane where I heard the familiar sounds of an espresso machine and the clanking of the milk steamer. I wandered across the two-lane street to shady New Highland Park, which is one of several parks in the area. I noticed that the Highlands is quieter than most other parts of Atlanta. The sounds did not make me feel anxious or flustered like many other urban areas; I felt content and peaceful as I strolled around.
Overall, Virginia-Highlands is pleasant and has a perfect combination of suburban and city living. I do not think this site necessarily targets a specific user; I saw an array of people as I explored. However, based on the layout and price point of the homes and shops, I would say the area is family oriented and mainly caters to the middle-class or higher. This site made me feel welcome and I would not hesitate to return!
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New Highland Park is right across the street from the strip of shops seen in my video post. I really liked the open layout of the park. Even though there is infrastructure all around the area, the park allows an escape from all that. There are trees, benches, and a field for pets to run around. This space provides Virginia Highlands with a great balance of nature and city-living.
on I took this video while crossing a small side street onto the main sidewalk where all the shops and restaurants are. A large, bright Coca-Cola mural on the side of the building really draws attention. The restaurant I approach as I cross the street has a wall that is completely open to the outside. The space flows very nicely; it is open and easily accessible. The texture of the buildings changes from wood, to chiseled stone, to painted cement as the wall goes from belonging to the restaurant to the salon next door.
on I took this sound recording as I was standing on the sidewalk in front of one of the main areas in Virginia Highlands. If you listen closely you can hear a door squeaking open, leaves rustling in the wind, and a car’s engine as it drives past. I found it interesting that the area was quiet enough that all these things could be heard so easily. Compared to other areas of the city, where sometimes music and voices overpower the sounds of everyday life, the space was peaceful and quiet.
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An aural characteristic of Virginia Highlands were the sounds inside the coffee shop I visited. In this recording, laid-back music can be heard in the background. I noticed that throughout the area very quiet music played from the windows of most of the shops and restaurants. The distinct sound of the espresso machine and the milk steamer can also be heard in this recording. There were no other people inside the coffee shop, which is why there is no chatter in the background. The whole space was very quiet and relaxed.
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This is a common type of home one would see while passing through Virginia Highlands. Before visiting my site, the research I did for my annotated bibliographies led me to discover that this type of home is known as a Craftsman Bungalow. This style of home was first introduced by a man named Gustave Stickley. Craftsman Bungalows have been present in Virginia Highlands since the neighborhood was first built. As I walked up and down the streets of the area I found these homes to be very inviting. Most are painted pleasant, light colors. It gives the space a homey and suburban feel.