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Customer Spotlight: How Real People Use Our Maps at Home and Work

Maps are more than navigational tools—they are storytellers, memory-keepers, and sources of daily inspiration. Our customers span the globe and come from all walks of life, but they share one thing in common: a love for maps and what they represent. Whether it's tracking world travels, educating children, or creating inspiring workspaces, our maps find a meaningful place in their lives.

In this customer spotlight, we’re showcasing how real people use our maps at home and at work. Their stories not only reflect the diverse uses of maps but also celebrate the creativity and personal significance that each piece brings to their space.

1. The Adventure Family: Mapping Travels Across the Globe

Meet the Thompsons, a family of five based in Colorado. For the past decade, they’ve made it a goal to visit a new country every summer. To commemorate each adventure, they use one of our Push Pin World Maps.

How they use it:
The map hangs in their family room, framed in rustic wood to match their mountain home aesthetic. Each family member has their own color of push pin. When they return from a trip, they spend an evening pinning their latest destination and adding photos, tickets, or small memorabilia around the edges.

Why it matters:
According to Sarah Thompson, the map has become a cherished tradition. “It’s more than décor,” she says. “It’s a timeline of our life together. The kids remember every place we’ve been. It keeps travel top-of-mind and teaches them geography in a personal way.”

2. The Remote Work Pro: A Backdrop with Purpose

Freelance consultant Jake Winters runs his business from a home office in Brooklyn. Wanting a more professional Zoom background and something that sparked conversation, he chose a minimalist black-and-white World Map Canvas for his office wall.

How he uses it:
The map acts as both a design element and a productivity tool. Jake marks client locations with subtle adhesive dots and tracks time zones using labeled clocks under the map. It’s a sleek, smart setup.

Why it matters:
“It tells people I work globally without me saying a word,” Jake explains. “And honestly, it just looks clean and modern. It gives me a sense of professionalism and place.”

3. The Homeschooling Parent: Education Meets Engagement

Linda Carver is a homeschooling mom of three in North Carolina. She uses our Educational U.S. Map Poster in her kitchen-turned-classroom.

How they use it:
During geography lessons, her kids use dry-erase markers directly on the laminated map to outline states, label capitals, and trace rivers. It’s interactive, colorful, and part of their weekly routine.

Why it matters:
“Teaching geography used to be boring. Now it’s hands-on. The kids love it, and it helps the information stick,” Linda shares. “We even tie in history and science. When we study the Civil War, we map battles. When we talk ecosystems, we highlight national parks.”

4. The Real Estate Agent: Local Expertise on Display

Carlos Martinez is a top real estate agent in Austin, Texas. He customized a City Map Print with neighborhood boundaries and key landmarks to hang in his office lobby.

How he uses it:
Carlos uses the map during consultations to help clients visualize areas, plan commutes, and explore investment opportunities. It’s more than art—it’s a tool.

Why it matters:
“Clients love pointing to where they live or where they want to move,” Carlos explains. “It makes the conversation more interactive and personalized. It also shows that I know my city inside and out.”

5. The Newlyweds: A Gift That Tells Their Story

Emma and Jordan received a Custom Coordinates Map as a wedding gift—marking the exact spot of their engagement in Venice.

How they use it:
The map hangs in their bedroom, a daily reminder of their love story. They chose a romantic pastel color scheme to match their décor, and the coordinates are written in elegant script with their names and date.

Why it matters:
“It’s our favorite gift,” Emma says. “It’s so personal. Every time we see it, we’re reminded of that magical trip. It feels like our love is literally on the map.”

6. The Corporate Office: Motivating a Global Team

A San Francisco-based tech company installed a large Global Office Wall Map in their main hallway. The map features their office locations and customer reach in various countries.

How they use it:
Employees use color-coded stickers to mark new partnerships, project launches, and milestones. It’s also a centerpiece during quarterly meetings and global update presentations.

Why it matters:
“It unites the team,” says HR manager Priya Sharma. “We may be scattered across continents, but seeing it all on one map makes us feel connected. It builds pride and shows our impact.”

7. The Retired Traveler: A Life Well Lived

After retiring from 35 years as a commercial pilot, Robert Jensen created a Vintage Travel Map of everywhere he’d flown throughout his career.

How he uses it:
The map is adorned with hundreds of pins and lines tracing his flight paths. It hangs in his den, next to his aviation memorabilia.

Why it matters:
“It’s my legacy,” Robert explains. “It tells the story of my career better than any résumé. My grandkids love hearing about each place and what I did there. It sparks conversation and keeps those memories alive.”

8. The Classroom Teacher: An Interactive Learning Tool

Mrs. Nguyen teaches 4th grade in Seattle. She mounted our Peel-and-Stick World Map Fabric on a large bulletin board in her classroom.

How they use it:
Each week, students learn about a new country. They place small flags on the map, write facts, and even bring in food or music from that region.

Why it matters:
“It’s cultural literacy in action,” Mrs. Nguyen says. “The map is more than static—it’s alive. The students see the world as bigger than just their town or state. And because it’s peel-and-stick fabric, it’s easy to move, reposition, or take down at the end of the year.”

9. The Interior Designer: Maps as Modern Art

Interior designer Aria Blake often recommends Custom Minimalist Maps to her clients, particularly for urban apartments and loft spaces.

How they use it:
Instead of traditional landscapes or abstract art, Aria chooses city maps that resonate with the client’s story—hometowns, places of significance, or dream destinations. The neutral tones fit modern palettes and can be stylized with custom fonts.

Why it matters:
“A map tells a story without words,” Aria explains. “It’s emotional and beautiful. Clients connect with the piece in a way they never do with generic artwork.”

10. The Entrepreneur: Branding with a Local Touch

A café owner in Portland used a Custom Neighborhood Map Mural as a feature wall in his coffee shop. The map highlights local attractions, bike trails, and nearby businesses.

How they use it:
Customers can find themselves on the map, plan their next stop, or even leave suggestions on sticky notes. It’s become a local favorite.

Why it matters:
“It reflects the community,” the owner says. “People love seeing their favorite spots recognized. It creates a sense of belonging and sparks conversation over coffee.”

Why These Stories Matter

Each of these customer spotlights shares a unique perspective, but they all highlight one universal truth: maps are deeply personal. They are more than lines and labels. They are memory holders, goal markers, educational tools, and design statements.

Here’s why these stories matter—and what you can take from them if you're considering a map for your space:

  • Maps Encourage Reflection: Whether you're mapping where you've been or where you're going, a map becomes a visual journal of your journey.

  • They Foster Connection: From boardrooms to classrooms, maps build conversations and bridge gaps across cultures, ages, and experiences.

  • Maps Are Functional Art: Especially when personalized, a map balances form and function. It beautifies a space while telling a story.

  • They Inspire Discovery: In homes with children or in places of work, maps awaken curiosity and invite exploration of the world beyond the immediate surroundings.

  • Maps Grow With You: A push pin map isn’t finished the day you hang it. It evolves with each milestone, trip, and story added to it.

What Kind of Map Will Tell Your Story?

From customized gifts and educational tools to business assets and conversation starters, maps serve a purpose that’s both practical and meaningful. The best part? No two uses are exactly the same—because no two stories are the same.

Whether you're a newlywed, a world traveler, a small business owner, or a teacher, there’s a map that can reflect your journey, values, and passions. We’re honored to be part of these personal and professional spaces, and we’re always inspired by how our customers turn our products into something truly their own.

If you have a story to share about how you use your map, we’d love to hear it. Tag us on social media or send us an email with your photos—we may just feature you in our next customer spotlight.

Ready to start your own map journey? Browse our collection of wall maps, push pin travel maps, educational posters, and custom map art to find the one that speaks to your story.