Tabula Rasa

While researching the function of QR Codes, it became apparent that they do not add extra content to the world, they only add an extra layer/way of further exploration for products. For instance, a poster about UofI may have a QR code that links you to the schools homepage, or a gravestone with a QR code will link you to information about the person whose grave site you are visiting. You can basically say that they are used to make a GOOD experience better. MORE

QR adventure brings the QR technology to the world of adventure racing.  QR codes are placed on bicycles, helmets, tents and clothing.  Codes can be scanned by others to gain more information about that specific racer’s stats, previous adventures and links on where to purchase similar accessories.

We all love our pets very much, when they get lost, we are devastated.  We would dig through a ton of photos of our beloved pets and find the cutest one and make a LOST dog/cat/etc poster and post it everywhere in the neighborhood awaiting the return of our pet.
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The QR code is most certainly a brilliant design. Many can view it as being wonderful, resourceful, and meaningful; but where is the soulful and beautiful sides of this creation?

My “quick response” for this project came about like many others in researching all the possibilities of this little code. The more and more I learned about this design and its potential uses within the world, the more overwhelmed I became. While yes, there are MANY instances where this new invention is extremely useful; there are also some instances that make me question it. When I see this code being displayed as large advertisements and taking the place of what once used to be beautiful design and type, it makes one wonder how far codes like this will be used in the future. Could it replace the passion we see in text and speech?

In coming to this question I decided to implement this design into protest posters. It’s pretty outlandish seeing the fervor in the protesters body language and then seeing this code in place of what used to be a passionate message. I realize the initial project 8 guidelines asked: What can we do with this? What should we do with this? While I don’t think this is something we should do, I just wanted to choose a far-fetched topic to spark some conversation of the QR code’s future. MORE

Imagine having a wristband with QR code that functions like an ID. MORE

The relationship we have with products is constantly growing in complexity. The questions and the psychology that lie behind our emotional attachment to products have always captured me as a designer. We surround ourselves with products that we love and makes us happy. We find significance in few products, where our sentimental values and memories are embedded within each products, making it harder to throw these precious artifacts away. We find comfort in these objects, and for many we can’t live without it.

I wanted to explore potential new experience and relationship consumer can have with familiar objects with the QR code technology. Inspired by a favorite running shoes I own and my long history I have with these pair of shoes, I came up with the concept, Nike Telos Code. The Nike Telos Code enhances the consumers experience in the store before buying the product and the user experience once using the product. MORE

When approached with the topic of a QR code, I thought of how I currently encounter QR codes in my daily life.  Unfortunately, QR codes haven’t taken off in East-Central Illinois, but I have used them with my Black Berry and Black Berry Messenger (BBM).  With BBM, a person can scan someone else’s BBM QR code to become BBM friends.

From this idea, I began thinking about scanning QR codes from a phone and what would be the most beneficial form of QR application to Consumers and Consumer Markets. MORE

Imagine If every recorded piece of audio had higher frequencies that only your phone could hear? The technology is here.

Essentially tagging any recorded audio going out into the world. Any consumer could identify what they were listening to no matter what way they hear it.

Users could also detect if music is copyrighted or stolen.

Music artist could also give their fans more perspective into their music. Imagine if at 42 seconds into a song a artist is singing about an particular place/concept/thing. You could read into any embedded data in the track.

Hold your smart phone up to the TV, Haven’t seen the past two episodes? Well if you don’t understand the last twist in the plot simply track it on your phone.

We were posed the question: in using QR codes, what could you do … and what should you do? MORE

QR codes are successful now because of the mystery and novelty involved. There is a whimsical element to them that intrigues users – what does it really say? where will it link me? will it be funny? or beautiful? or clever? or…? But what will happen in two or three or five years when that novelty wears down? Will I keep taking out my phone and scanning each one, or will these codes just fade into the din that we filter out each day? A key factor of the QR code’s success is the user’s voluntary involvement. Then perhaps the QR code as a marketing tool will fade, but as an educational supplement, it has quite a bit of potential.

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QR codes are going to be more and more prevalent in the future. We are already using them for all sorts of purposes in products, magazines, and signs. What’s next? I think that these codes are very interesting. They give us the ability to connect to physical objects digitally and interact with the world on a new level. You can get a review on a bottle of wine just by scanning it with your phone, or you can get a free download from an album that you’re interested in. These codes allow you to make your mark, take away from a situation, and it may eliminate the need for certain products in the future, but how are they going to be viewed? MORE

I combined QR codes with music downloading.  By integrating QR codes in coffee shops, restaurants, and clubs, the user takes a picture of the code with their smart phone or any other device and then they are taken to a URL that displays what song is playing at the moment.  Then the user has the option to download the song right to their phone.  There is also a playlist of the songs that have been played throughout the day.  The QR code doubles as a piece of artwork on the wall and also enables the user to discover new music. MORE

A few of my friends have a bracelet for their severe allergies or medical conditions. I never felt easy about these. They seem to “unusable.” The tiny text (and tiny amount of text), ugly design, and engraving with lack of contrast makes it hard to read. The QR code bracelet has many benefits. It is quickly scanable, limitless amounts of data can be pulled up from it if linked to a online database, the code can be unique for each individual, and it can be put on anything the person has with them frequently. I believe the QR code has many potential uses in the medical world. I focused mainly on the bracelet, but it can be used in issues with insurance paperwork, prescriptions, ect. We as designers don’t just make pretty things that work in a marketing circle; we also design systems to be better. We all can be social-progressive designers, but sometimes it just takes some motivation. MORE

FOUND is a commentary as well as a new idea for the QR movement. This is also a reflection of the dangerous scene in Champaign-Urbana that’s been rising  currently. What FOUND functions as is a safety gadget for making one feel at ease when perhaps going out with friends or even on a date. FOUND tracks where all these criminals and sexual offenders are located & also records past incidents. These are all mapped out on a physical map of the location you pick out. You can then select an area and it shows up a list of criminals and their past offenses on your smart phone.

My prediction is that in general, this technological advancement becoming something selfish and over excessive, will eventually prompt the QR code to have incredibly invasive functions. You can detect already, based on QR codes, the actions of humans interacting –what they’re currently doing & located..etc. By the time FOUND has been implemented, you could essentially track and receive information anywhere and any time. For our convenience, which is one of the general reasons as to why technology is advancing so rapidly, we can feel at ease with FOUND.

FOUND is a response to technological advancement as well. I believe that on the web, we can search for so much information already that in the future, we’ll no longer have any sort of practice in discretion or privacy. If FOUND can eventually track down criminals and record past offenses and such, then what’s to stop the QR code from being able to collect data from everyone else? Our world is already dangerous, and we’re making it worse.

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Imagine this:
A public library system that rewards kids for reading with fun QR-activated activities? MORE

QR codes in the medical world has vast potential. Among them could be prescriptions stamped with a QR code. This eliminates the confusion from illegible handwriting but also the extra step in encoding this information could also provide the patient with additional links and info about what they are taking, questions they may have, and cross reference with medication that might contraindicate with the prescription. MORE

QR code technology has huge potential for use by large government systems that process massive amounts of people and information every day. QR codes can quickly read information and therefore aid in the efficiency and accuracy of such systems. Of course, many places already have bar code programs set up to do this, but the fact that QR codes can be generated and used by the general public adds many more possibilities to how it can be used. Post Offices in some areas of the world are already using technology similar to the QR code. Why not implement it on an even larger scale? QR codes could be used to address mail, track packages, verify delivery locations, obtain information about a drop-off site and much more. MORE

Not everyone finds museums interesting, especially kids. There are times when people choose to just glance at a part of an exhibit. Most of the time, people don’t read all the information displayed in the exhibits. When I think about museums, my reaction is it’s a lot of looking and walking. What could make the museum experience more enjoyable? MORE

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How will the future of the QR Code improve everyday life? Everyone struggles with getting up out of their warm, comfortable bed in the morning and getting ready to start the day. Through this QR application, picking out an outfit will be a simple, stress free process. All one has to do is scan in the QR code from each article of clothing into their iphone or ipad etc and different outfits will appear on the screen. I believe one day QR codes will be hidden messages everywhere within our daily activities, the following project is only the beginning!

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When I go to sushi restaurant looking at sushi dishes, I only recognize obvious ones like salmon and shrimp. Most of times, I choose random sushi without knowing which fish I’m eating. This QR code is made to educate people who are interested in learning about sushi. As soon chef made his sushi, he can print out this QR code sticker and put it on the dish. This code contains information about sushi -which fish, which part, nutrition facts and when the sushi was made. MORE