Final Draft Photo #1 PSU

When you walk up the steps of the PSU this is what you first see, a monotone patio that doesn’t exactly draw you in to hang out or stay for a while. Even though that is exactly what this space is supposed to be used for. It is the upper patio of the PSU or Park Student Union. This is a place made for studying, social gathering, and eating. However, in this picture there is not a whole lot going on and it doesn’t seem very busy or active. Farthest away in the picture are two guys that have laptops so they must be studying or doing homework together. They are most likely in the same class and are working on an assignment together, or they are on facebook. Then there is a guy by himself reading a book, he probably came up here because it is a quiet place that he can focus on what he is reading. In the front left of this picture there are two girls talking. They look comfortable so I think they have been there for a long time, even in those uncomfortable metal chairs that you can find scattered around campus. Most likely they are telling stories and gossiping about things that happened. This meeting place is very close to the dorms so it is meant to be a convenient place to go for food or a “hang out”. During the day I’m sure this space has different uses than at night, at night it is probably more used for hanging out and eating then for doing homework. The ground looks pretty dirty like there has been a lot of traffic on it and things spilled too. Maybe by taking more pride in this space and making it more inviting it would be a “cool” place to gather or meet up at. However, as is now not many people want to spend a lot of time here. The wall of windows connect this space to the eating space inside and you can see what is going on in both no matter which area you are in. 

Final Draft Photo #2 PSU

As you go inside you notice a cafeteria line, it is similar to that of a middle school and the neon lights draw people in to order food. In this picture you see the cafeteria where you order your food and get drinks as well. The guy in the maroon is in line behind another guy even though you can’t see him. There are more guys then girls in all these pictures probably because it is not a normal mealtime and typically boys eat more throughout the day then girls do. There are a lot of racks and displays of various drinks and snacks, including bags of candy most likely for Halloween. All around are different marketing techniques and brands trying to convince you to pick up their product. The guy in the black shirt looks lost or like he is waiting for someone. The neon lights above the food counter make it look like a mall food court. This food area is just a typical cafeteria-style eatery and seems to be kind of boring. None of the students look very lively or happy it is almost a little depressing. The artwork and counters look like they are from the eighties and probably are. If this cafeteria had some more exciting features I think it would enhance the feeling of the space to be more inviting and positive.   On the wall there is a very outdated small TV I’m guessing that it shows what they are serving each day. The Halloween decorations are kind of pathetic as well, but at least they tried to make it a little more exciting. This whole space does not give off a very healthy vibe but an outdated diner. Most of the people that come to the PSU are freshmen from the surrounding dorms. I think this might be why it is not a priority for remodeling. The neon sign is reminiscent of a fast food chain and I doubt the food is any healthier than that. It is very interesting that our school is so willing to spend tons of money on a new rec center that promotes health but continues to serve this kind of food. No matter how long you work out those chicken strips served here are definitely going to contradict it. 

Final Draft Photo #3 PSU

Moving on you can find the cashier station. This picture is of two guys paying for what they just got inside the cafeteria. Looks like they are just getting a snack then probably going back to their dorm to hang out. The guys are both dressed in the same way including the backwards hat. There is nobody behind them in line so I am assuming that it is a slow time at the park student union. That also could be why they are just getting a snack instead of more food because it isn’t quite time for a meal. The lady checking them out doesn’t look very happy she is much older then them too. Usually the people I have noticed working in the student unions are younger or a student so I found it interesting that this lady was so old. Behind them on the wall there are Halloween decorations so the workers were obviously trying to make this cafeteria a little more festive and entertaining. Even though it didn’t quite do the trick. This part also looks very cluttered everything is packed together which seems like it could be overwhelming just looking for a quick snack. The only guy with his wallet out is the one on the left so maybe he is buying his friends food as well as his. His friend is staring at something beyond the register. He might be looking at a table with other friends to go sit at. The register and surroundings look very outdated, like they have been there for many years. Behind them there are some people ordering with their arms crossed, and they don’t look very happy to be there. They probably just got out of class since they are wearing backpacks and now need some food before their next class. Again the colors are very boring and one-dimensional. The gate behind the boys almost looks like a jail cell and it very well could be with the scenery surrounding it. By making everything the same shades of one color it doesn’t create a whole lot of visual interest. This sets the mood for how people feel about the space even before they try the food. The space is so cluttered yet so empty and boring at the same time, which is a very odd combination. 

Final Draft Photo #4 PSU

This final picture shows two guys eating together at the park student union, even though this is a social gathering place there are not many people currently there around them. The one boy is not eating so he either has already finished or is just waiting for his friend because they have plans to hang out or study after. They might even be roommates hanging out after class getting something to eat. The boy eating has a lot of ketchup on his plate, which makes me think that the food is not that good, and he’s using it to make the food taste better. The colors in this dining hall are not very exciting or appetizing it doesn’t look like a place where you would want to hang out or spend a lot of your time. The blah colors make it feel cold and almost like a hospital cafeteria. If they added some artwork or color to the wall I think there would be more activity and it would be more visually pleasing. The two of them are dressed very differently the boy eating looks more dressed up in a button down shirt then his friend who is in casual attire. I think that they boy eating had to dress up for something to do with school either in a class or an activity on campus. For wearing that nice of a shirt he better be careful with all that ketchup so he doesn’t get it on himself and ruin his shirt. The guy eating looks like he’s laughing so maybe his friend just said something funny or he’s watching us take a picture of him. The chairs in here also look outdated and not super comfortable, so you probably wouldn’t want to stay here for too long. The main student union is very put together and well maintained it is kind of pathetic that PSU is the way it is. I think that they need to get in touch with the priority of a fun, healthy eating environment that doesn’t promote the freshman fifteen but prevents it. If they invested money into converting this space from a jail cafeteria to a cool hang out spot on campus I believe there would be a lot more activity going on in all of these pictures.