Mobile Inc » QR Codes

Great Creative Executions Of QR Codes For Angry Birds, Instagram and Shazam

Murat — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 19:47:50 +0000

Stumbled across these nice executions of QR codes on print ads by the creative collective Stupid.

Once you scan the code you’re sent to the App Store download page. Give them a go they work!

Here’s some similar concepts for Louis Vuitton and Coke.

Here’s Some More Mobile Call To Actions Mixed With Print..

Murat — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:58:16 +0000

Looks similar to this. Which in turn looks similar to this:

And then there’s this, which is a bit like everything above:

Who’s going to be the first to put a RFID (contactless) tag on a pair of printed lips?

[Via Osocio]

Inspired Use Of QR Code On CV

Murat — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:28:49 +0000

Goes to show that with a little bit of thought, QR Codes can actually be enticing and engaging rather than the utter poop we’re used to seeing.

[Via Mobhanded]

The QR Cloud Project – Art Installation On Derelict Building

Murat — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:22:33 +0000

This is quite a interesting story that I found (amongst dozens of others) on the great blog Popupcity, where a QR code art installation has found a temporary home on a building in Amsterdam – which is due to be demolished next year.

The QR Cloud Project consists of seven artworks such as poems and proverbs written by Dutch writers, poets and scientists. Many famous and creative talents were invited to write a short, inspiring message for curious passers-by.

The codes themselves were printed and placed on the windows of the unused building, with an explanation and call-to-action on the door.

And the point to all this?

“Aim of the project is to introduce citizens to QR technology by making them curious of which personal messages are hidden behind the codes. Furthermore, the project intends to experiment with QR codes as an art form”

Unless you have a really lame phone of course, then no art for you.

We’ve seen hundreds of different uses for QR codes, everything from tombstone eulogies to rugs made of ‘em and designer Louis Vuitton markers. This is just another experiment with the little black and white codes that refuse to die.

I like the idea of keeping secrets and mysteries behind the codes, I think that’s one thing that’s always intrigued me. Always wanted to do a ‘follow the white rabbit‘ style of campaign with this sort of thing.

Flickr gallery here.

Is Facebook About To Give The Kiss Of Life To QR Codes?

Murat — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 09:04:05 +0000

Typical advert for driving customers to join Facebook Fan Page within premises.

Back in December whilst strolling around New York, I came across the best pizza place in the entire world called Patzeria, hidden away just off Times Square.

As I was eating 4 slices of the Mama Special I saw a sign on the door that you’ve probably seen a million times before in various businesses , it said ”Join our Facebook Fan Page!” (The similar image above was taken from my gym).

I started thinking how can Facebook mobilise this? 9 times out of 10 I’m going to forget about joining so what can they possibly do to make these signs actionable?

At first I thought maybe SMS but that would be difficult to achieve in all the territories that Facebook covers. And then Techcrunch reported on QR Code options appearing on profile pages and it all became clear..

I’ve got to admit as much as I hate QR Codes, it is a genius move by Facebook because it really is the only way they can cover their global consumer and business user-base. So expect to start seeing signs like this instead:

The historical problem with QR Codes is that you can’t interact with them unless you have the application downloaded on your phone. If it’s the first time you’ve seen a code, the whole experience is going to be filled with problems such as downloading, installing, waiting…the drop off rates are generally quite high, especially for those who aren’t tech savvy.

However this isn’t going to be a problem for Facebook because they already have their application installed on millions of phones. This means with a simple app update Facebook will enable a huge amount of users to be QR Code ready.

And now think about the educational process, 400 million users are going to be slowly taught about QR Codes, what they are, how to use them etc. This is pretty big for mobile and QR Codes in general, the boost will be gratefully received.

The other side to this is the possibility to compete with Foursquare, using the QR Codes to ‘check in’, notifying your friends of where you are and the other token stuff like coupons, special offers etc.

But I still think the real win is location-based status updates, not sure if this is actually going to happen but if it does then we’ll see some amazing services and applications off the back of it.

Audi Make A Giant QR Code Out Of People

Murat — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:13:38 +0000

Great idea, not sure if the effort of taking the picture was worth the download tho.

QR Codes & Augmented Reality | Do They Share The Same Negative Aspects?

Murat — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:56:28 +0000

I remember testing out QR codes for clients 3 years ago when considering if we should include them into a few campaigns. None of them went for it, the main problem was that such a small percentage of mobiles were compatible with the QR code application, plus no phones actually shipped with the reader installed meaning that you would have to get the user to download something before they could even interact. This didn’t sit well with any brands and eventually all talk of using them vanished from future projects.

Fast forward to today and isn’t it funny that Augmented Reality has exactly the same problem, but brands and advertisers are going absolutely nuts for it?

I’ve always steered clear of making someone download an application to interact with advertising (excluding typical iPhone apps). It’s no secret that drop off rates are increased massively when you throw in a download. We have App Stores now to make that process a lot easier along with unlimited data plans which eliminate cost concerns for the users. But as super duper as it is, I still have a niggling feeling about AR.

The Esquire Augmented Reality issue was really innovative but the reader has to take the magazine to the PC, download some software, then use the webcam. On your phone it will be the same sort of process, whenever you see a marker on a billboard, print or online ad you’re gonna need some software to interact.

There is no doubt that the sheer richness of what Augmented Reality can do is what’s driving it at the moment. It’s got the ‘wow’ factor no question and that goes a long way..for a while. What remains to be seen is if brands can see a return on the extra investment that’s needed for producing AR campaigns and how consumers react to the initial process.

I guess what I’m waiting to see some stats on how AR campaigns do compared to QR codes. Both have almost identical requirements when a user sees the advert and doesn’t have the app.

Will consumers go that extra step with AR and download applications everytime ? Or will it end up like QR codes and just linger around until something better comes along?

Would appreciate any thoughts on this.

Colourful Louis Vuitton Designer QR Code Rocks

Murat — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:58:19 +0000

Check this out, Tokyo-based creative agency SET has developed this sexy looking QR code using artwork from Takashi Murakami to promote the work that the two have done together. The code sends you to this site.

I would say this is exactly the type of work that agencies need to be showcasing to brands to get them on board with QR codes. There is a big need for slaping logos and artwork over these things. It often just requires a bit of creative thought. For example check out the rest of the designs from SET for other brands:

Very cool.

[Via Digital Desert]

QR Code Features As Centerpiece On Movie Poster For '9'

Murat — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:54:57 +0000

Here is the teaser poster for the upcoming movie called ‘9‘ by Focus Features.

They are obviously embracing mobile marketing in a big way by making the QR code the center piece of the poster. I’m guessing they are trying to create a buzz and play on peoples inquisitiveness.

The movie website also has a section about ‘finding more hidden codes around town‘ which refers to these movie posters in various cities.

Here’s a snippet:

Keep your eye out for the hidden QR codes in your city! When unlocked, they give you access to exclusive 9 content.

I kinda think you need a bit more than mobile phone content to bother going up to more than one poster. Maybe a draw for a prize or free premiere tickets would be a more solid incentive (as well as the mobile content).

Check out the trailer here.