Hidden Messages of Cortona

Typology; Hidden Messages of Cortona

Isabella Biliski 501117352
Discovery & Report Exercise #2
FCD 558 Intro to Design Thinking & Topic


Mailboxes are a way of communication. They can reveal the behavior of communication and the cultural architecture of the past and present. In Cortona, mailboxes are beside the door for residents to receive letters, newspapers or packages, this is an older style of mailboxes compared to new suburbs or apartments in Ontario, which have all the mailboxes in one spot for the community. The colour scheme tended to be neutral colours with a few bright red or green. I saw several different graphic designs on the mailboxes, such as coat of arms that vary in colour, butterflies, as well as modern, simplistic style mailboxes. I am still looking for the post office but I came across a mailman on a motorized scooter wearing yellow. He had packages in bags on either side of the vehicle and when he opened his trunk, there were even more packages.

I was first interested in mailboxes because my great grandparents had the local post office in their house. I also find it very interesting that Cortona, a very old historical town that was built before vehicles can still integrate the new mechanics of today like Amazon prime trucks. Also some have an old styled mailbox alongside newer technology, such as a Ring doorbell. Once I had started taking pictures of mailboxes, I started to notice details I normally wouldn’t pay attention to if I were not searching out for these mailboxes, for example I came across a mailbox with a small letter rolled up on pink string, indicating a mode of communication.

The mailboxes have the residents' names which feel very purposeful. Some have decorations around which show the care put into them. Most had the words “lettere” or “posta” on them indicating they are for mail or had iconography that relates like an envelope or even a mailman on a bike. One had a sticker, saying “niente pubblicita” which in english means “no advertising” similar to mailboxes in canada that would say no soliciting.

I reordered the images by grouping similar colours and styles. This report revealed behaviors, patterns, and distinctive features of Cortonas communication and culture.