Alemany Flea Market

"So this weekend, we would like you to..."

I can't help but grumble to myself when I hear a professor start off an assignment this way. But, when this is accompanied by phrases like "go out and find" and "group project," that is when I begin to curse my very existence. I'll admit it, I hate collaborative assignments. Not because I'm completely anti-social (I don't think), but because it has largely been my experience that whenever I have to work with other people, I end up having to do the bulk of the work.

But, this isn't high school biology, so perhaps working with other designers will prove to be a better experience, right?...RIGHT! This is actually one project I'm glad I didn't have to do alone. My two classmates and I went to the Alemany Flea Market to observe face-to-face sales interactions and interview some buyers and sellers as part of our first assignment for Design Research class. It was quite an interesting experience - not to mention a little intimidating -because it seemed clear that we were "outsiders" in this environment and most people were not so willing to divulge information to us.

There was quite an interesting array of items that varied from vendor to vendor. There were antiques, clothes, electronics, power tools, areas that looked like a yard sale transplants, and even a vendor that just sold shoes.

So, for "investigative purposes" I decided to get in on the action and buy something at the market. Although a violin at one table caught my eye, once I learned that it was $85, I decided that a table full of jewelry market as $1 per item would more up my alley. After sifting through the hodgepodge of necklaces and bracelets, I narrowed it down to three. Intending to buying two, I asked the vendor's opinion on which suited me best. "Ah," he said, "with my pricing system you can have 3 items for $2." "Sold!" I replied, wondering if I had just unintentionally haggled for a better price.

The best part was afterwards, the three of us went over to the Dolores Park cafe to discuss our thoughts about the marketplace, and of course, have some lunch! I had a delicious inside-of-a-sandwich with veggies, hummus and kalamata olive tapenade, which I trucked through before thinking to snap a picture of the lovely arrangement. But here is the yummy Thai iced tea I had!