QR Codes: A Quick Response for a Fast Culture

     A QR code, short for quick response code, is a more advanced version of barcode that is able to store alphanumeric data. This means that they can store text, phone numbers, links, foreign languages, etc., giving them a huge advantage over normal barcodes. In modern day society, individuals are much too busy to stop by a sign and attempt to manually enter a web address into their smartphone or tablet, and they are even less likely to jot down an address onto a notepad to store for later use. However, if a user of a smartphone walks by an interesting sign with a QR code, they might decide to scan it and check out the information because of the ease of use that QR codes provide.

Soundcloud's Example of a QR Code

     In 2012, 19% of consumers in the United States used QR codes. This is pretty substantial, meaning that creating a QR code and placing it on posters or in newspapers along with normal advertisements takes minimal effort and has a relatively large payoff. However, I personally do not understand companies that put QR codes on ceilings, t-shirts, or billboards, because no one is going to attempt to scan codes like that, so placement is very important. Most consumers scan QR codes that are placed in magazines, mail, packaging, or posters.

QR codes are highly customizable

     Although these codes sound very fancy, they are actually very simple. There is a pattern in the foreground that has contrast with a color in the background, whether it be dark to light or light to dark. This is the only requirement, which allows a lot of creativity in their creation and design. As long as the background and foreground have distinct colors that are easily separable by a smartphone, images and colors can be scattered throughout codes, making them look enticing to users. They are also very easy to create. Many sites, such as this one, allow you to create QR codes in a couple of minutes, for free!

A QR code that links to this blog!

     I hope that this post encourages people to try and make a QR code for themselves and post it somewhere for fun. Try linking to a Youtube video or Facebook page and see how many people visit it! Creating a QR code is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to promote something, and as our society starts to become more fast-paced, users will not take the time to type in website urls or search for an application on their smartphones, but they might take a second to quickly scan a QR code if available.