What is the best use of a QR code that you have seen?
Share
Steve Osborne’s recent article looked at the use if technologies such as QR code on packaging. What is the best use of a QR code that you have seen?
‘I’m going to be my usual contrary self and draw attention to the most pedestrian use of QR codes. My mum’s local newspaper property section carries QR codes against each tiny listing. If you’re interested in a property, link from the code and see the fuller information, the lush image gallery, floor-plan, energy efficiency chart. We shouldn’t be thinking about QR codes as special, they’re going to be ubiquitous because they’re just very helpful for bookmarking the real world and connecting it with the virtual.’
Nicolas Roope, co-founder, Poke
‘The team at Heineken are never afraid to embrace new marketing channels or opportunities and on this occasion, at a music festival in Poland, they have created a good use of QR codes, no easy feat. Traditionally QR codes have looked rotten, added no value to the user beyond selling something so this interaction that is fully integrated lets people at festivals create unique codes that other festival goers could scan to find out info and start a conversation. This is then brought to life through other social media channels. Fun and engaging.’
Elliot Wilson, managing director, Elmwood London
‘No. No. No. No. Pixelated puke. Please stop.’ (Note, Daljit also directed us to http://wtfqrcodes.com).
Daljit Singh, executive creative director, Conran Singh
View results 10 per page | 20 per page
Readers' comments (12)
Matt Davis | Thu, 19 Apr 2012 1:08 pm
We thought this was a nice idea: http://t.co/EOUoSET3
Matt Davis, designer
barraclough-associates.com
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Tiago Cunha - Graphic Designer | Thu, 19 Apr 2012 1:09 pm
At a recent interior design and architecture fair in Campinas, Brazil, a designer added QR Codes all over his display: a 400 square meter house. In every room, a tiny QR Code took the visitors to a specific webpage where they could get all the information about the furniture, the colors, description of the room, and downloadable floor plans. Talking about a nice way to engage the public, uh?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Alex Durbridge | Thu, 19 Apr 2012 1:11 pm
I'm with Daljit on this one I'm afraid; it worries me greatly that packaging (our key area of interest) may soon be overly subjected to this type of interactivity -a sort of mickey mouse version of 'Minority Report' on your cornflakes box.
I'm a bit luddite I know but the world is a busy enough place to absorb information from already and to have to then engage my iphone to get the brand owners message across seems frankly lazy on their part...
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Paul Ransom | Thu, 19 Apr 2012 2:48 pm
I really like this application
http://www.springwise.com/media_publishing/spain-trains-offer-chapter-novels-qr-codes/
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Eric Bell | Thu, 19 Apr 2012 3:55 pm
Yes they're ugly and hard to work with from a design perspective and technologically old. However, evolving the intent into NFC allows far easier engagement with a tap or proximity pass it can achieve all, if not more engagement from the consumer with less effort. With the meteoric rise in NFC enabled 'smartphones' This is where engaging the consumer is going. Go to www.tapmetags.com
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Ian Culshaw | Thu, 19 Apr 2012 4:15 pm
http://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/
Even better, put them on the Underground....
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Andrea Nastase | Thu, 19 Apr 2012 4:16 pm
Second after what Nicolas mentioned there are some book posters in train stations that allow you to scan the QR code in order to get quick access to the page that offers a sample chapter from the book.
It's a nice shortcut.
But Daljit isn't that far off; the question should be why are we not developing technologies that let you point at objects directly (eg. Google Goggles) in order to identify them? Blippar's augmented reality app does something similar. It seems like a step beyond QR codes for us humans - and I say this because I've seen robots designed to use/navigate through QR codes that carry directional information.
It seems odd we're trying to shoehorn usages into QR codes rather than think beyond them!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
PB | Thu, 19 Apr 2012 4:27 pm
I was at a Food & Wine Festival in Boston last month where the chef included a QR code on each dish... made from squid ink. And it worked, took you right to his restaurant's homepage.
Definitely the most creative way I've seen them used!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Ross Clarke | Thu, 19 Apr 2012 4:29 pm
People actually scan QR codes?!!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Andrea Spivey | Thu, 19 Apr 2012 4:54 pm
I think they're only useful when they provide more detailed information or an opportunity for the user to engage somehow. We included one in a print ad that took you to a video demo of the product in the ad. I hate seeing them used where it's really difficult for the person to scan them.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment