The Map-as-Envelope Incorporates Directions in Your Snail Mail [Lifehacker]
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 8:45AM The Map-as-Envelope Incorporates Directions in Your Snail Mail
In the age of email, it's not often we send mail through the regular postal service. Next time you're mailing a letter the old-fashioned way, do it up right with Google Maps and a color printer.
The idea got its start thanks to a clever idea from graphic designer Beste Miray. She came up with the idea of making a mailing envelope that, when opened, shows the geographical location of where the letter came from.
These clever envelopes are a snap to make. Enter the address of your choice into Google Maps and choose "satellite view." Google Maps' print option uses only the street map view, so you'll need to take a screen shot of the satellite view for this project. Then, just print out the page using a full-color printer.
Craftbits has step-by-step instructions on how to fold an envelope out of a standard sheet of paper, including how to make an envelope pattern so you can whip up several of these bad boys at once.
If this clever use of Google Maps intrigues you, don't stop there. Make a paper wallet from a map of your office, and use it the next time you don't want to tote the entire contents of your wallet with you somewhere—like a sporting event or amusement park. If you lose your temporary wallet, some Good Samaritan just might bring it back.
The Google Map Envelope [Unplggd]
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