A wood map is exactly what it sounds like – a map made out of wood. They are carved from sheets of plywood using a laser cutter and can be customized with any design or information you want. Wood maps make great gifts for anyone who loves geography or travel, and they also make unique wall art pieces.

A wood map can be used for a variety of purposes, including decorating your home or office, as a gift, or as a way to mark your favorite outdoor spot.

If you’re an engineer, you’re likely used to looking at maps that show scale in terms of distance or elevation. However, have you ever seen a wood map? Wood maps use the natural ridges and valleys of wood grain to represent topography. Unlike traditional maps, wood maps can be carved with great detail, showing even the smallest features of a landscape. Unlike traditional charts – which rely on paper or vellum – a wood map can be updated and amended as necessary. This also makes them an ideal choice for maritime navigation in areas where changes to the coastline or waterways are frequent.

First, the artist begins with the readings of what is known as a Bathymetric chart. Then, the dimensions and depth are translated and a shape is carved in accordance to these using a laser cutter. The geographical features are carved into pieces of wood and then a step involves assembling them all like a jigsaw puzzle.