8.1.08

Basheer Graphic Books

Basheer Graphic is a chain of bookstores across Southeast Asia which specializes in design oriented material. They carry a wide array of architecture, photography. interior design, fashion, animation, illustration and graphic design books.

Oh, and lest I forget, they stock up on advertising books, annuals and publications as well.





This is a look at their Hong Kong store.
The address is:

1/F Flat A 439-441 Hennessy Road
Causeway Bay
Hong Kong

(852) 21267533
(852) 21267535
basheer@netvigator.com






However, seeing as how it's easy to get lost in Hong Kong, I prepared this blog to help my fellow adgeeks navigate a trail to this little out of the way bookshop.

6.1.08

Causeway Bay Subway Exit

You'll have to excuse the quality of these photos. I had to take these on the fly.
I set up this site for a friend who couldn't find her way to Basheer HK.

It was actually a buddy of mine, Brandie Tan of Lowe Vietnam, who taught me how to find this ad geek's haven.




First, take the MTR to Causeway Bay.
Then, head towards exit D.

If you're already at Causeway, skip ahead to the next section.














At Exit D, take the escalator up.

















At the top of the escalator, you'll be greeted by two flights of stairs.
Take the one that's farther and towards the left.
I can't remember if it's D1 or D2, but it's the one that gets you to Henessy Road.















Go up the stairs. It should take you to the main road.

5.1.08

On the street

Once you're on street level, you'll want to get your bearings.



This is how the main road should look like (more or less) as you exit the station.
That street in front of you is Hennessy Road. It's where you usually see double decker buses zooming by.














If you look left, this is what you would see.
This direction will take you to Victoria Park, The Park Lane Hotel and Ikea.
This is the wrong way.
But just as well, I've posted it here as a reference point.















THIS is the correct way. When you reach the exit you turn right.
















Then, you walk straigh ahead towards the Wan Chai district.
















Keep going, you should be seeing a pedestrian overpass ahead of you after a minute or so.















Just a note, at this point I noticed there was an exit B from the Causeway Bay station that led here.
(It's to your right)
Unfortunately, I didn't know well enough to take this exit instead.
Besides, something tells me it makes little difference.










This is what it looks like from Exit B which I've never tried.
That's the same pedestrian overpass in the earlier photo.














Anyway, as you approach the walkway, you'll see there's a street you have to cross.

You'll notice that crossing the street is not an option.
But you'll need to be on that other side of the road, going straight ahead.

You can either turn back and give up now.

Or you can turn right and you'll see a zebra crossing you can use to continue your trek.
I have no pictures here because I figured you would prefer to keep your eyes on the prize.

Plus somehow I forgot.

4.1.08

On the street



After crossing, get back on track alongside Hennessy Road.















Just keep heading down this road.


























You're almost there!

























If you hit that bridge, you've gone too far.
The entrance is around here somewhere.
In fact, it's next to that bank from the previous photo.

3.1.08

Finding the entrance






Look for this doorway. It should be to your right.
It's a very unassuming portal that leads directly to a flight of stairs.


























You'll notice a little orange sign on the doorway.
That's the Basheer Graphic logo.

Yes, you have arrived!

















Go up the stairs to the "lobby."
If you can get past the guards, and overcome the wizards, you can enter.
The secret password is "Helvetica."

Here, you can either take the elevator to the first floor, or look for the graffiti-riddled stairwell to the right.




















Basheer is on the first floor.
Uh, about the crooked photo.
Er, that's really how the door is.
You have to slant, er sorry, italicize your body to enter.

2.1.08

The Shop



This is the sight that greets you upon entering the shop.





















Here's a quick tour of the place.



There should be a guy standing at that very spot when you enter. Otherwise is very bad feng shui.











































They've also got a nice selection of design and advertisng related DVDs, Lomo Camera gizmos and other knick knacks at the counter.













And continuing the tour:



This wall is where I found my battered copy of CP+B's HOOPLA.






































Check it out! Is that Adobo Magazine on the rack?



















1.1.08

The stock

Here's a look at a few of books one might find in Basheer.