QR Codes Aren’t Boring Anymore. Check Out This Artsy New Trend

Is it a QR code or is it art? You decide.

It was perhaps only a matter of time before artists realised that QR codes need not be boring black-and-white dots. ( Image Source :Art-QRCode.com )

QR codes still remain a mystery for some. For instance, my mother (and some of my non-tech-y friends) religiously believe scanning QR codes is just an “iPhone-special” feature. Despite my steadfast efforts to explain that QR codes are just unique barcodes that can offer access to websites and apps — and can be scanned by almost any smartphone camera nowadays — they’d still hold on to their “QR-is-for-fancy-phone” faith. Bless them.

Nevertheless, there’s no denying the fact that QR codes are quite handy and are present nearly everywhere nowadays — from restaurant menus and transit ads to UPI payments. Now, there’s a new trend quickly catching on that’s turning boring black-and-white QR codes into nothing short of artsy masterpieces. 

What Are QR Codes?

If you still aren’t sure of what QR codes are, let me try and explain it simply. 

Back in 1994, Japanese firm Denso Wave designed the first-ever QR code to help label automobile parts. Working just like a regular barcode, QR code is a two-dimensional matrix code, which when scanned, helps users to identify a certain object (like a car part), receive a location (by using mapping services), or visit a certain website (in case of restaurant menus or ads).

QR codes store optical data, and thanks to their unique design, can be scanned by all phone cameras (believe it or not, mom!). Sure, you may have to turn on the QR-code-scanning feature from your phone’s settings (it is generally toggled on by default on most devices). Or, if you are using an old phone, you may need to download an app to be able to scan QR codes. Nevertheless, QR codes are designed to be scannable by any camera as such. 

So, What’s This New Trend All About?

Gone are the days when art could only exist on paper and could only be viewed in museums and studios. Thanks to the recent non-fungible token (NFT) fever, artists are increasingly turning to digital platforms and portals to make their artwork exclusively accessible (and earn some extra dough along the way by cutting out middlemen).

It was perhaps only a matter of time before artists realised that QR codes need not be boring black-and-white dots and lines and can indeed be turned into colourful masterpieces, by superimposing artworks on the codes themselves. 

As long as the QR code’s most important element — the data stored in the shapes — are easily visible and scannable by cameras, you can go ahead and superimpose Mona Lisa’s portrait on your QR code and it’d still serve the same purpose, but with some added chicness.

You might ask why did good-ol’ barcodes never get this artsy makeover. Well, for starters, regular barcodes are mostly scanned using infrared light sensors. So, there’s a certain limitation as to how many colours can be used to make sure that they are still scannable. Just to ensure that barcodes can be easily scanned, they are mostly designed with black-against-white colours. 

How Can You Turn Your QR Code Into Art?

There are several platforms that can help you turn your QR code into art. While some are free to use, some (read: premium ones) will need you to pay artists and companies a certain amount of money to get it done. 

For instance, the popular URL shortener Bit.ly has its very own QR Code Generator, which allows you to create colourful codes with basic (but still funky) designs. 

Now, if you wish to get your hands on QR codes which actually look like proper artwork, you will need to visit online platforms such as ArtQrCode, MeQR, QuickQR.Art, and other paid-for service platforms to get your unique codes. These platforms will ask you to register first, then provide details and needs, and finally make a payment (in some cases) to get your unique QR artwork. Some platforms will also ask you to join Discord channels to submit your requirements to get your desired QR art. 

In case you choose the paid-for approach, it is highly advisable to read all terms and conditions and do proper research before giving your money to services. In case you do join any Discord or Telegram channels, please maintain caution in sharing personal details. 

Then again, there are certain online tutorials as well that teach you how to create QR codes using online tools, such as Stable Diffusion AI, to create your artsy QR codes.

All in all, this trend is still catching on and before long, I’m sure that more and more premium brands would want to advertise their products and services with QR codes which aren’t boring, but perhaps helps capture the artistic ethos of the company and eventually, the attention of customers. After all, advertisements are all about standing out of the crowd.

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