Creative QR codes: Quick response or Quality Response?

It may be viewed by some as a ‘fad’ but the creative design pioneered by QR Arts as a brand engagement strategy is making designers and brand strategists alike think twice about the pretty utilitarian appearance of their QR code.

QR Code 1 If you’re not familiar with QR codes, read this: QR is short for Quick Response and the ‘code’ is a two-dimensional barcode printed on packaging, an ad or a poster that can be read by most smart phones. A readily available ‘App’ on your phone uses your phone’s camera as a barcode scanner to access encoded data that, typically, will take your phone to a brand’s website. The data can also be linked to a YouTube video, any URL, V-card or hypertext.

Alongside (right) is a QR code designed as a 'Pacman' screen.

When did you last smile at a barcode?

The benefits of a more creative QR code are all about enhancing your brand, product or service. The benefits of the QR code itself are obvious enough: it’s open-source technology, free and easy to use; it’s very quick; it can link to anything; it has a high error tolerance and is compact; online and offline can be integrated in real time.

In Asia marketers are using QR codes to add a full customer experience to print and poster campaigns, to offer downloadable coupons for sales promotion and for education.

QR Code 2 A QR code is a simple conduit or ‘bridge’ to more information.

Making the QR code itself a part of the brand communication can enhance and encourage the response a potential customer makes. Let’s face it, barcodes are pretty dull looking.

The work produced by QR Arts is innovative, engaging and could be enough to give your brand the ‘edge’. All it takes is a little creative thought up front.

Alongside (left) is a QR code designed as a crossword. Below is a code designed for the Magic Hat Brewing Company—using beer bottle caps.

QR codes are here to stay and with the rapid shift towards mobile, getting your design agency to incorporate them into your brand strategy will give you a real edge.

QR code 3