Katie Anderson Found: A Closer Look at Champaign’s Radio Maria Process Book
Data/Research
Research for this project began with visiting the University of Illinois map library and researching different types of maps and how they used different visuals to get their way-finding information across to the viewer. Then we began collecting images of examples of typography in a stretch of our environment. My peers and I walked up and down streets in Champaign and Urbana, in specific “zones,” looking for instances of type. Back in class, we organized the typography by location and then were challenged to organize it in other ways: by type style, color, purpose, size, medium, etc. The next step was to choose one or more zones and go collect a second set of data. I chose to delve deeper into Radio Maria, one of Champaign’s most famous restaurants. I have always been interested in Radio Maria, not only because of the delicious food, but also because of the eclectic atmosphere. I wanted to learn more about its style.
First, I researched the restaurant through its website to learn about its history and how it wants to be portrayed to the community. From this research, I learned that all of Radio Maria’s decor has been made from items around the Champaign/Urbana community. The website listed specific items that the owners, graduates of Fine and Applied Arts at U of I, created themselves. The next step was obvious – capture images of these objects and the restaurant’s atmosphere! I contacted the General Manager, Wesam Arafa, to ask if I could photograph the restaurant. Mr. Arafa responded quickly and I stopped by and photographed Radio Maria later that week.
Radio Maria research with added information over time
While photographing, I paid special attention to the items that make up the restaurant. At this point, I was not completely sure of the direction of my project so I wanted to get as much as I could. I visited the location on a Friday around 3pm, right before opening at 4pm. I waited until the tables were set to take photographs of the space so I had the full experience (everything but the food). I found many examples of typography within the restaurant that interested me greatly. I knew that I wanted to incorporate these into my final project.
Notes about an original idea to focus on more than one restaurant
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I decided to use the photographs I took at Radio Maria and create a book that focuses on the found objects around the restaurant. In my first draft of the book, pages were letter sized and I tried to get a feeling of how to juxtapose the images together to make it interesting. In my second draft, the page size increased significantly and I started playing a little more with text. The type was also refined for more readability. In my third draft, I introduced the map (where each item was located within the restaurant. This added a new element to the book in which the reader can organize the items in the images in her head. The third iteration also introduced a more playful attitude with the image organization and text location, as well as bleeds and using the spread to my advantage.
Iterations/Design Development
Draft 2 THE RESTAURANT was constructed by its owners, David Spears and Sharon Owens, both artists who studied at the University of Illinois in sculpture and painting. Colling and using found objects from the past has inspired both artist in the creation of Radio Maria.
Draft 1 LOCAL
AND
whenever
S U S TA I N A B L E
possible
to
create
products
are
seasonally
used driven
R A D I O M A R I A is a restaurant and tapas bar located in Downtown
preparations. The seafood and meats come from
Champaign, Illinois. They strive to source the best products seasonally
natural waters and sustainable farms to give the
and regionally whenever possible to let the flavors of the ingredients
diners the highest quality and freshest product.
speak for themselves. The menu draws from the wealth of produce grown in the Midwest. Paired with an extensive wine and beer list, Radio Maria aims to give the guest the absolute best experience dining out.
Draft 3 2
F O U N D A CLOSER LOOK AT CHAMPAIGN’S RADIO MARIA
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Taylor St.
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N Walnut St.
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THE RESTAURANT was constructed by its owners, David Spears and Sharon Owens, both artists who studied at the University of Illinois in sculpture and painting. Colling and using found objects from the past has inspired both artists in the creation of Radio Maria.
Refinement/Final Design
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F O U N D A CLOSER LOOK AT CHAMPAIGN’S RADIO MARIA
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FOUND IN RADIO MARIA:
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The tables are made from U of I Harker Hall doors, with ephemera from Sharon’s collection. Window ledges, stone lavatory counters and stall partitions are from Linden Hall (women’s dorm) shower stalls. Dining room pendant lights are salvaged from Gibson City Elementary School. Wall sconces are fashioned from salvaged prism glass and tin ceiling panels. The doors to dining room are from the Urbana Sheriff’s residence.
DAVID’S SCULPTURAL PURSUITS are predicated on his salvaging of industrial and mechanical materials from the era of man-made objects, re-purposed for art’s sake. Many of the materials used in the restaurant’s interior have been collected from the local area and surrounding communities.
The back bar and wall partitions are made from Collegiate Cap & Gown Factory windows. Colored glass (vitrolite) is salvaged exterior architectural glass. The bar handrail is the escalator handrail from Bergner’s department store. Red velvet bar front is from Sidney grade school stage valence. Slate foot rest is from Danville VA Hospital stair treads. Aluminum cowling is from aeronautical lab windtunnel chamber. Aluminum disk is from Champaign Cinema Theater (film reels). Up lights and down lights are drink jiggers. Stainless drum and fittings are salvaged science equipment. Holophane globe is from an early subway or Pullman lamp and an oiler from Model T car. Pendant lights over bar are U of I vacuum sending tubes. The beer tower is modeled after a Bradley hand washing station.
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Taylor St.
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LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE products are used whenever possible to create seasonally driven preparations. The seafood and meats come from natural waters and sustainable farms to give the diners the highest quality and freshest product.
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N Walnut St.
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RADIO MARIA is a restaurant and tapas bar located in Downtown Champaign, Illinois. The restaurant strives to source the best products seasonally and regionally whenever possible to let the flavors of the ingredients speak for themselves. The menu draws from the wealth of produce grown in the Midwest. Paired with an extensive wine and beer list, Radio Maria aims to give the guest the absolute best experience dining out.
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The final book is twelve pages long and includes about twenty photographs from Radio Maria, along with text that explains where some of the objects were found and more about the restaurant and the owners. The typography around and outside of the restaurant are mixed in with the objects found in the tables and on the walls. The final book refined the map and mapping system. The map is now found near the beginning the book, instead of the last page so the reader can use it while she flips through the pages. I found this project very rewarding because its generality allowed me to find a subject I am very interested in learning about and sharing with others. I am noticing typography in my environment more often and I am feeling encouraged to make connections between it and the surrounding environment.
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Found: A Closer Look at Champaign’s Radio Maria Design and photography by Katie Anderson. This project was completed as partial credit for the Fall 2015 ARTD 410 Vertical Studio in the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under the direction of Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Rachele Riley. Type: Avenir LT Std 35 Light and Avenir Black. Special thanks to Radio Maria’s General Manager, Wesam Arafa, for allowing Katie to take photos of the restaurant.
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Colophon Found: A Closer Look at Champaign’s Radio Maria Design and photography by Katie Anderson. This project was completed as partial credit for the Fall 2015 ARTD 410 Vertical Studio in the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under the direction of Assistant Professor, Rachele Riley. Type: Avenir LT Sdt 35 Light and Avenir Black. Special thanks to Radio Maria’s General Manager, Wesam Arafa, for allowing Katie to take photos of the restaurant.
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