Year: 2013

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Bumbling Through Hong Kong Awarded Silver Medal

Latest volume of educational graphic novel travel series wins second prize in 2013 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards

Hong Kong — October 22, 2013 – Bumbling Through Hong Kong, the third volume of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series by Tom Schmidt, has been awarded a silver medal in the Young Adult Multicultural category of the 2013 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.

Moonbeam Awards Director Jim Barnes announced, “The Moonbeam Awards exist to bring increased recognition to these kinds of exemplary children’s books that inspire and delight children of all ages.” Judging panels of librarians, teachers, students, and book reviewers chose 165 medalists in 48 categories, and winning books came from a diverse group of long-established publishers, small presses, associations, and self-publishers. This year’s contest attracted over 1,200 entries from throughout North America and around the world, and medals were awarded to books representing 35 U.S. states, 5 Canadian provinces, and 7 countries overseas.

Bumbling Through Hong Kong author and illustrator Tom Schmidt noted, “We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected as an award winner in such a well-respected international book awards program, and are hopeful that the Bumbling Traveller Series continues to inspire children to explore and change the world.” In conjunction with the opening of the 4th annual Traverse City Children’s Book Festival, a gala celebration will be held for award-winning medalists in Traverse City, MI, USA on November 9, 2013.

Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational graphic novel that follows on the heels of the first two award-winning volumes of the series — Bumbling Through Borneo and Bumbling Through Sumatra – which seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures. The Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series is published by Kakibubu Media Limited and is distributed throughout Asia by Far East Media Limited and MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd.

In addition to this award, the book also recently scooped a bronze medal in the 2013 Independent Publisher’s Book Awards Program, shortly after its debut in Hong Kong on April 18, 2013 and subsequent launch in Singapore on May 26, 2013 in conjunction with the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC).

[download id=”26″]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR: Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian. Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world. Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI). He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997, and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design. Schmidt received a 2010 AIA Hong Kong Citation for the Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series in “recognition of significant achievement in promoting the values of cultural heritage, eco-tourism and vernacular architecture in the Chapter’s region.”

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Architectural Illustrator Discusses Bumbling Traveller Series at ASAI Industry Conference

San Francisco, October 3, 2013 ————– Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series creator Tom Schmidt presented his award-winning travel book series during the Architectural Illustration Fair at the 28th Annual American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI) Conference in San Francisco, CA.  Held at the offices of the American Institute of Architects San Francisco Chapter, the half-day illustration fair featured ASAI members’ work to architects, clients and students from throughout the Bay Area.  Schmidt’s presentation discussed the origin and process behind the Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series, and was followed by a book signing.  The latest book in the series, Bumbling Through Hong Kong, was awarded a bronze medal in the 2013 Independent Publisher’s Book Awards.

As the premiere international professional non-profit society for architectural illustrators throughout the world, the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI) was founded in 1986, and is dedicated to the advancement and recognition of the art, science and profession of architectural illustration.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR: Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian. Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world. Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI). He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997, and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design. Schmidt received a 2010 AIA Hong Kong Citation for the Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series in “recognition of significant achievement in promoting the values of cultural heritage, eco-tourism and vernacular architecture in the Chapter’s region.”

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Schmidt Shares the Bumbling Traveller Story at TEDx

TEDx Victoria Harbour

Hong Kong, 12 May 2013 ————– Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series creator Tom Schmidt was featured as a key speaker at TEDx Victoria Harbour yesterday at the historic Sunbeam Theatre in North Point.  Created in the spirit of TED Talks mission, “ideas worth spreading,” the independently organized TEDx Victoria Harbour featured individuals sharing ideas to help shape the future of travel and tourism.  

As one of 11 speakers addressing a sold-out crowd, Schmidt’s talk entitled, “Travel Perspectives & Travel Perspectives,” revolved around his personal perspectives on backpacking during which he presented his visual notes and in-situ “perspective” sketches of the built environment which ultimately culminated in the creation of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series.  Schmidt’s most recent release, Bumbling Through Hong Kong was recently awarded a bronze medal in the 2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards.

Other speakers at TEDx Victoria Harbour included world traveler Andrea Oschetti, eco-entrepreneur Bobsy Gaia, world chef Chris Hora, and filmmaker Dean Head.  A stunning and emotive violin performance by Erica Ye Byeol Lee punctuated additional talks by hotel designer Jim Spear, writer Nury Vittachi, photographer Simon Wan, tourism promoter Tony Verb and Instagram-fan Tyson Wheatley.

Bumbling Through Hong Kong

Thomas Schmidt is an architect offering creative design solutions for the hospitality industry, as well as a writer, illustrator, musician, and stand-up comedian. His wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, where sketches of his travel experiences culminated in an award-winning travel book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures. He is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI). Born in the U.S., Tom has resided in Hong Kong since 1997 and is the founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.

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CLICK HERE TO WATCH THOMAS SCHMIDT SPEAK AT TEDx VICTORIA HARBOUR

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Bumbling Through Hong Kong Scoops Bronze Medal

Third volume of educational graphic novel travel series wins third prize in 2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards

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Hong Kong, 8 May 2013 ————– Bumbling Through Hong Kong, volume three of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series by Tom Schmidt, has been selected as a bronze medal winner in the Graphic Novel / Drawn Book category of the 17th Annual 2013 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards.

Billed as the largest independent book awards program in the world, IPPY Awards Director Jim Barnes announced today that the 2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards garnered over 5,200 total book entries from over 2,500 independent authors, publishers and university presses across the world.  Of the thousands of entries spanning 77 various categories, only 382 winning books were awarded with medals.

Bumbling Through Hong Kong author and illustrator Tom Schmidt noted, “We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected as an award winner in such a competitive and international book awards program.” Coinciding with the opening of BookExpo America in New York City, a gala awards ceremony will be held at Providence NYC at 6:00 pm on May 29, 2013 for award-winning medalists.  The IPPY Awards, launched in 1996, are designed to bring increased recognition to the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors and publishers.

Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational graphic novel that follows on the heels of the first two award-winning volumes of the series — 

Bumbling Through Borneo

and 

Bumbling Through Sumatra

— which seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.  The Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series is published by Kakibubu Media Limited and is distributed throughout Asia by Far East Media Limited and MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd.

The book was launched in Hong Kong on April 18, 2013 and is scheduled to be launched in Singapore on May 26, 2013 in conjunction with the upcoming Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC).

[download id=”23″]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian.  Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world.  Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI).  He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997, and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.  Schmidt received a 2010 AIA Hong Kong Citation for the Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series in “recognition of significant achievement in promoting the values of cultural heritage, eco-tourism and vernacular architecture in the Chapter’s region.”

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Architect Launches Hong Kong Travelogue

Award-winning graphic novel travel series educates and entertains both children and adults

Bumbling Through Hong Kong by Tom Schmidt (ISBN 978-988-18066-7-3)
Bumbling Through Hong Kong by Tom Schmidt (ISBN 978-988-18066-7-3)

Hong Kong, 19 April 2013 ————– Architect, entertainer and author Tom Schmidt launched Volume Three of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series last night at Bookazine located in Landmark Prince’s in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central business district.  With over 100 people in attendance, the Hong Kong launch of the book included book signings by the author in addition to lucky draw giveaways.  Guests from various creative, hospitality, finance and travel industries were in attendance, in addition to various media representatives.

Entitled Bumbling Through Hong Kong, this educational graphic novel follows on the heels of the award-winning first two volumes, Bumbling Through Borneo and Bumbling Through Sumatra, in a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.

Book author and illustrator Schmidt contends, “Hong Kong  is one of the most important and fascinating places on the planet right now.  In today’s era of population growth, environmental contamination, and the loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, the erosion of the quality of life in the world’s urban areas is a very serious issue — and Hong Kong is a case in point.”

Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational yet comical adventure through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and its many manmade and natural environments.  The reader is taken on an entertaining journey of discovery by following the misadventures of a fictitious cast of bumbling characters as they stumble across the cultural traditions, natural assets and historic relics of Hong Kong — including the numerous environmental and social challenges faced by one of the most densely inhabited places on the planet.  With over 190 beautifully hand-drawn illustrations, the book’s day-by-day account of the bumbling travelers’ journey through Hong Kong seeks to instill the reader with an environmental and cultural awareness of the territory’s rapidly changing situation.  Schmidt contends that the unique graphic format of the book series appeals to both young adults, already accustomed to comic book formats, as well as more mature readers in helping to create environmental awareness.

Hong Kong’s Association for Geoconservation notes that the book is capable of, “presenting Hong Kong in an interesting and casual way that not many travel books can compare.  We are impressed and thank the author for introducing the normally ignored world of geological heritage of Hong Kong.”  Greenpeace HK adds that, “Hong Kong has amazed the world through its rapid global interaction, efficiency and cosmopolitan environment.  However, behind such speed and convenience, Hong Kong’s alarming per capita emissions rank second globally, if emissions from imported goods and their transportation are included.  Bumbling Through Hong Kong does not provided tips of where to shop or dine out, but exposes the true cost of being a metropolis and the vivid urban pollution that residents and tourists face on a daily basis.  A good snapshot of another face of Hong Kong!”

The Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series is published by Kakibubu Media Limited and is distributed throughout Asia by Far East Media Limited Distributors and MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd.  The series is also available for international purchase through Amazon.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian.  Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, while based in the Asia-Pacific region.  Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI).  He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997, and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.

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Bumbling Traveller Book Creator to Speak at TEDx Victoria Harbour

Thomas Schmidt
Thomas Schmidt

Hong Kong, 5 April 2013 ————– Thomas Schmidt, creator of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series has been selected to speak at the upcoming TEDx Victoria Harbour event on Saturday, 11 May 2013 at the historic Sunbeam Theatre in North Point.  Created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading,” TEDx Victoria Harbour is designed to give the Hong Kong community the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.  TEDx Victoria Harbour is an independently organized TED event, organized by individuals passionate about sharing ideas to help shape the future of travel and tourism.  This year, the theme is E-motion:  the how and why we travel, and how it will evolve in the future.  In true TEDx fashion, talks will be recorded and shared on the TEDTalks video site to be viewed by a global audience of millions.  This full day conference will feature 11 multi-disciplinary speakers who will focus on travel and tourism.

Thomas Schmidt will present architectural sketches and travel journals in a session entitled “Travel Perspectives & Travel Perspectives,” which will revolve around armchair travel and travelling vicariously through books.  Schmidt will be presenting his “perspectives” on travel, visual notes, as well as in-situ architectural “perspectives” from his many travels.

His visual documentation of the travel experience has resulted in the creation of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series.

Thomas Schmidt is an architect offering creative design solutions for the hospitality industry, as well as a writer, illustrator, musician, and stand-up comedian. His wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, where sketches of his travel experiences culminated in an award-winning travel book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures. He is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI). Born in the U.S., Tom has resided in Hong Kong since 1997 and is the founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design. 

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Bumbling Through Hong Kong Launch Announced

Bumbling Through Hong Kong by Tom Schmidt (ISBN 978-988-18066-7-3)
Bumbling Through Hong Kong by Tom Schmidt (ISBN 978-988-18066-7-3)

Hong Kong – March 9, 2013:   At the end of each day, an estimated nine Hong Kong residents may have suffered premature deaths due to Hong Kong’s worsening air pollution, and another estimated 8,000 tons of discarded food waste will have found its way into the territory’s landfills.

“Hong Kong is one of the most important and fascinating places on the planet right now,” asserts architect and LEED® AP Tom Schmidt, author and illustrator of the new book Bumbling Through Hong Kong.  “In today’s era of population growth, wasteful consumption, environmental contamination and loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, the worsening quality of life in the world’s urban areas is a very serious issue – and Hong Kong is a case in point.”

Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational yet comical adventure through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and its many manmade and natural environments.  The reader is taken on an entertaining journey of discovery by following the misadventures of a fictitious cast of bumbling characters as they stumble across the cultural traditions, natural assets and historic relics of Hong Kong; including the numerous environmental and social challenges faced by one of the most densely inhabited places on the planet.  With over 190 beautifully hand-drawn black and white illustrations, the book’s day-by-day account of the bumbling backpackers’ journey through Hong Kong seeks to instill the reader with an environmental and cultural awareness of the territory’s rapidly changing situation and an appreciation of its natural and cultural assets.  Schmidt contends that the unique graphic format of the book series appeals to both young adults, who are already accustomed to comic book formats, as well as more mature audiences in helping to create environmental awareness.  Greenpeace HK notes, “Bumbling Through Hong Kong does not provide tips of where to shop or dine out, but exposes the true cost of being a metropolis and the vivid urban pollution that residents and tourists face on a daily basis.  A good snapshot of another face of Hong Kong!”  

Bumbling Through Hong Kong is the third volume in the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series, a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.  Bumbling Through Hong Kong is scheduled to be launched on 18 April 2013 in Hong Kong at the Prince’s Building branch of Bookazine; the book will be available in regional bookstores beginning in May 2013, and can also be ordered from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com).

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian.  Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, while based in the Asia-Pacific region.  Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI).  He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997, and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.

BOOK STATISTICS:

Title:Bumbling Through Hong Kong
Author:Tom Schmidt
ISBN:ISBN 978-988-18066-7-3
Category:Travel / Environment / Humor
Length:144 pages
Retail Price:  US$12.95
Binding:6.14” x 9.21” (15.6 cm x 23.4 cm) softcover
Illustrated:193 B&W illustrations
Additions:Maps, Travel Checklists, Internet Resources
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Bumbling Through Hong Kong Release Announced

Bumbling Through Hong Kong by Tom Schmidt (ISBN 978-988-18066-7-3)
Bumbling Through Hong Kong by Tom Schmidt (ISBN 978-988-18066-7-3)

ARCHITECT BUMBLES THROUGH HONG KONG 15 February 2013:   By the end of the day during which you read this media release, an estimated nine Hong Kong residents will have suffered premature deaths due to Hong Kong’s worsening air pollution. “Hong Kong is one of the most important and fascinating places on the planet right now,” asserts architect and LEED® AP Tom Schmidt, author of the new book Bumbling Through Hong Kong.  “In today’s era of population growth, environmental contamination, and loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, the erosion of quality of life in the world’s urban areas is a very serious issue – and Hong Kong is a case in point.” Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational yet comical adventure through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and its many manmade and natural environments.  The reader is taken on an entertaining journey of discovery by following the misadventures of a fictitious cast of bumbling characters as they stumble across the cultural traditions, natural assets and historic relics of Hong Kong – including the numerous environmental and social challenges faced by one of the most densely inhabited places on the planet.  With over 190 beautifully hand-drawn illustrations, the book’s day-by-day account of the bumbling travelers’ journey through Hong Kong seeks to instill the reader with an environmental and cultural awareness of the territory’s rapidly changing situation.  Schmidt contends that the unique graphic format of the book series appeals to both young adults, already accustomed to comic book formats, as well as more mature audiences in helping to create environmental awareness. Bumbling Through Hong Kong is the third volume in the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series, a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.  Bumbling Through Hong Kong will be launched in May 2013 in Hong Kong; the book will be available in regional bookstores beginning in May 2013, and can also be ordered from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com).

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian.  Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, while based in the Asia-Pacific region.  Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI).  He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997, and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.  

ARCHITECT BUMBLES THROUGH HONG KONG 15 February 2013:   By the end of the day during which you read this media release, an estimated nine Hong Kong residents will have suffered premature deaths due to Hong Kong’s worsening air pollution. “Hong Kong is one of the most important and fascinating places on the planet right now,” asserts architect and LEED® AP Tom Schmidt, author of the new book Bumbling Through Hong Kong.  “In today’s era of population growth, environmental contamination, and loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, the erosion of quality of life in the world’s urban areas is a very serious issue – and Hong Kong is a case in point.” Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational yet comical adventure through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and its many manmade and natural environments.  The reader is taken on an entertaining journey of discovery by following the misadventures of a fictitious cast of bumbling characters as they stumble across the cultural traditions, natural assets and historic relics of Hong Kong – including the numerous environmental and social challenges faced by one of the most densely inhabited places on the planet.  With over 190 beautifully hand-drawn illustrations, the book’s day-by-day account of the bumbling travelers’ journey through Hong Kong seeks to instill the reader with an environmental and cultural awareness of the territory’s rapidly changing situation.  Schmidt contends that the unique graphic format of the book series appeals to both young adults, already accustomed to comic book formats, as well as more mature audiences in helping to create environmental awareness. Bumbling Through Hong Kong is the third volume in the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series, a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.  Bumbling Through Hong Kong will be launched in May 2013 in Hong Kong; the book will be available in regional bookstores beginning in May 2013, and can also be ordered from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com).

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian.  Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, while based in the Asia-Pacific region.  Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI).  He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997, and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.  

BOOK STATISTICS:

Title:Bumbling Through Hong Kong
Author:Tom Schmidt
ISBN:ISBN 978-988-18066-7-3
Category:Travel / Environment / Humor
Length:144 pages
Retail Price:  US$12.95
Binding:6.14” x 9.21” (15.6 cm x 23.4 cm) softcover
Illustrated:191 B&W illustrations
Additions:Maps, Travel Checklists, Internet Resources