codes are hot topics

Designers hate boring. We just do. Utilitarian has its place, but just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t look good doing it. Designers spend their time and attention on package designs only to have mandated additions like codes and labels intrude on the space. It was just a matter of time before they turned their attention to that most utilitarian item, bar code, and decided to have a little fun with them.

Originally envisioned in 1948, Universal Product Codes, or UPCs, weren't actually used until June 1974, but have since revolutionized the processes of inventory and sales checkout. But as long as we have to use them, why can't they be fun? Designers in Japan have been redesigning bar codes longer than we have, and they have come up with some really clever ones.

The QR, or Quick Response code, as discussed in my June 7th post has garnered the attention of designers as well. Neil Nathanson has been experimenting with color and even 3D QR codes, which he showcases on his blog and also on his flckr page. I asked Neil, who does real applications of QR as part of his mobile work for MBUSA, if these tricked out codes still actually work:

"Yes most of mine do work; the more decorated ones can be a challenge, but some scanners are better at decorated codes. I found I-Nigma as one of the best for hard to read codes. Amazingly even this, image which is all distorted from the 3D effect still works in I-Nigma… 

But not every decorated code will work with every scanner - it is a science and an art to get code decoration done right for success with most scanners. Codes have error correction so the info can be redundant so they will still work if some part is covered. Many generators are out there and some allow branding like this one."

Here are some sites where you can view the great work being done to bring some life into ordinary looking codes:

10 Creative Bar Code Designs [PICS]

Art in Aisle 5: Barcodes Enter Expressionist Period

Cool design scrapbook, Amazon Kindle barcode

Bar Code Revolution | Your barcode just stopped being boring

Japanese Barcode Design

These from Neil:

I have some fun 2d ones here: QR Code 3D Crazy

This flickr group has some very interesting QR code art.

And one of the most inventive artists in this is Scott Blake.

Have fun exploring and put your mind in creative mode- I bet you can come up with some clever ideas yourself!

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