The use of QR Codes on printed design media like business cards, brochures, posters and even retail graphics is widespread. QR Code is abbreviated from Quick Response Code and it is a type of barcode that was first used for the automotive industry in Japan. Marketers and graphic designers are always on the look-out for better ways of communicating their brand message and improving their audience’s touchpoint experience. It became popular soon enough in marketing and advertising due to its huge capacity to store data compared to the Universal Product Code (UPC Barcode). The sole purpose of QR Codes in design communication is to bridge print media to digital media.
Creative Ways of Using a QR Code
QR Codes can be created to store different types of data. It can be a mere hyperlink to your website, an informative vCard or a visual device that contains a secret message that can only be revealed through scanning the code. Making a QR Code useful isn’t rocket science. There are a lot of creative ways to use them in design communication and when used appropriately, they can provide the audience with a fulfilling brand experience. The table below lists some creative and interesting ways of using a QR Code and it is non-exhaustive.
TYPES OF DATA |
APPLICATIONS |
SCAN TO SEE HOW IT WORKS |
| Regular Text | The QR Code lets you save text and when scanned, it displays the text with the options of making a web search, store search, share, copy or simply edit it. |  |
| Hyperlink | The QR Code allows you to save a url and when scanned, it displays the url and provides you with the options of visiting the url, share, copy or edit it. |  |
| Phone Number | The QR Code lets you save a phone number and when scanned, it displays the phone number and presents you the options of dialling the number, add to your contacts, share, copy or edit it. |  |
| Email Address | The QR Code allows you to save your email address and when scanned, it displays the email address and gives you the options of sending email, add to your contacts, share, copy or edit it. |  |
| vCard | The QR Code lets you save contact information and when scanned, it displays the contact information and provides you the options to add to your contacts, show map, dial the number, send an email, share, copy or edit it. A vCard is a file format standard for electronic business cards. |  |
| WiFi Settings | The QR Code allows you to configure the local WiFi settings by scanning it. Works only on Android devices. | – |
How to Create a QR Code
a) Own a computer
b) Make an online search for QR Code generators
c) Settle for your preferred QR Code generator (Here’s our favourite: QR Code Blogs)
d) Select the type of QR Code required and enter the necessary data
e) Download the file format you need
f) Beautify it if necessary and place it in your print media
How to Scan a QR Code
a) Own a handphone
b) Download and install the QR Code Scanner of your choice
c) Open the application
d) Scan the QR Code
Benefits of Using QR Code
In design communication, a QR Code is a graphical device that graphic designers or visual communicators use to entice their audience to respond to their call-to-action. To have the audience take out their phone and scan your QR Code is a feat. A strong marketing message and effective visual communication are vitally important to compel the audience to react to your marketing calls. Design makes a difference. Are you more likely to scan a plain QR Code or one that is uniquely designed and visually compelling? A well-designed QR Code increases the possibility of the audience heeding your call-to-action.
The use of QR Code simplifies the actions an audience have to take when they heed your call-to-action. Scanning a Hyperlink QR Code brings them to your url without the need to key in the web address themselves. Scanning a vCard QR Code eliminates the hassle of keying in your contact information on their phones. When you make things easy for people, people will find it easy to heed your marketing calls as well.
Have you started using QR Codes in your business communication platforms? If you haven’t, it’s never too late! Start making things convenient for your audience already!
