Comment

Starting in Ottawa in 1972, Canada Post installed equipment to mechanize the sorting process of mail. The fundamental foundation of this system was characterized by the introduction of the 6 character ‘postal code’. In order for the system to function in an accurate and automated fashion people were expected to set-up their letters by certain standards to help streamline the mail service.

By 1984 the system was now fully embedded in Canadian society and further developments at Canada Post constantly being implemented. What originally started out as a single sheet guideline was now a 76 page booklet covering letter sizes, international post, printing, window envelopes, advertising and direct mail to name a few.

The cover design of this industrious artefact combines the Canadian national symbol, the red maple leaf, set within a blue graphic postage stamp (with exaggerated perforations) in the top right of a rectangular envelope — extending to wrap to the back cover. The design is then repeated in decreasing scales (the stamp scale remaining constant) reflecting the variation of envelope dimensions and postal standards. The insides are set in black ink only and set in large print Helvetica ensuring accessibility as the primary measure.

All Archives