Reading the city : East Austin

My research trajectory focuses on creating graphic interpretations of the relationship between the urban landscape and the populations that reside within it. I use the term reading the city to indicate the process of selecting a focal point and connecting relevant information to it. By creating experimental mappings that connect the physical experience of the East Austin to relevant information contexts I seek to develop a series of design strategies that are appropriate for fostering a heightened awareness of the dynamics that shape the urban environment. In this context, graphic design functions as the primary tool for expressing these connections. This report explores the development of the reading process by summarizing conceptual precedents and eleven personal works, which were undertaken to explore the viability of the approach.