QR Codes: Let’s think outside the black box
June 8, 2011 § 4 Comments
Please welcome guest blogger Jackie Croley as she delivers this post on how creative brands are using QR codes. — editor.
Lately I have been seeing QR Codes everywhere! The only thing is, in most cases, they are ugly black boxes slapped in the corner of print advertisements. QR Codes don’t have to stick out like a sore thumb to attract attention. The uses for QR Codes are still being discovered and we have only begun to see how they can be utilized in media and advertising. Marketers can creatively incorporate them into designs to inspire users to scan and enjoy content.
Now that they are catching on, I think it’s time to improve their design and placement. QR Codes can be so much more than just a black box! Here are some examples of creative designs and uses of QR codes.
Which one do you like? Are you inspired now?
Macy’s creatively incorporated a QR code in their trademark red star.
True Blood used this QR to direct users to a preview of an upcoming episode.
This QR Code was placed in Iron Man’s costume and led users to a movie trailer for Iron Man 2.
Ebay placed three QR Codes on the side of a city bus.
CNN even used an on-screen QR Code to direct users to donate to the survivors of the tsunami in Japan.
So it can be done. Have you seen any creative uses of QR Codes? Let us know by leaving a comment!
One of my head-slapper moments of the Spring was when I was helping a friend look for an apartment. This realty co branded sign outside a property had a QR Code, and a call-to-action that said simply “Look inside this property right now!”
QR took you to the exact page of that apartment, complete with details, photos, rental agent – all in a snap.
You get to see exactly how the place looks right in your car, and the realtor doesn’t have to stuff those stupid tubes with crappy quality photocopies any longer.
Now that is a great use of the QR code concept. Real estate agents are always ahead of the curve trying to move properties.
Put it on a cell phone so it looks like itis a part of a text message and also lets teh user know to use his or her cell phone
having just read the WSJ article yesterday on how long it took Bar Codes to get creative in their design, I’m not surprised that the QR code industry got creative in record time