Connor Renwick: CityWood – Small Biz Spotlight

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

CityWood – Small Biz Spotlight

The following post is brought to you by CityWood. Our partners are hand picked by the Design Milk team because they represent the best in design.

Tell a Story About a City You Love

Maps aren’t only visually pleasing, they’re a tactile representation of our surroundings and memories. Designer and self-confessed “cartophile”, Hubert Roguski wanted to turn maps into something more elevated and reshape the way we think about them. In 2017, Roguski created CityWood as a personal project, and began creating custom made 3D map art. Minimal and elegant, CityWood’s maps combine data, technology and creativity to craft meticulous wooden reproductions. Using sheets of high-quality plywood that are only 3/32-inch (3mm) thick, Roguski composes different layers depicting roads, landscape and waters. Each is then separately cut, using 3D laser technology, to 1/100 of a millimeter precision. The layers are then sanded and assembled by Roguski himself. The artwork is varnished for durability and customized, options include a clear coating, black stain, walnut or mahogany. Not enough? Add indigo blue to the waters, a red heart over a meaningful location – no request is off limits, including the size and scale. Lastly, the wall art is professionally framed and protected with high quality plexiglass for preservation. Roguski says there’s interest for these pieces because, “The beautiful thing about cartography is that a map is a cognitive content of the world. It can be individually understood by each of us – that’s why it is so unique.”