How to create your own creative QR Code

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Aaron • 22 Comments

For those who doesn’t know what a QR code is, here is a quick introduction, a QR or “quick responds” code is an encoded information in a coded form readable with the help of a QR-readers. Its like a barcode of a product, and the counter scanner scans the barcode to get the price, while in this case the encoded information.

QR codes are everywhere these days, you’ll see it while window shopping, reading the newspapers in the morning, on a bottle, contest (scan to win), and t-shirts. Its everywhere! Some question whether QR codes are even useful. That is a debate that I would love to talk about in the future post, however this post is more about designing your QR code, making it different or standout.

There are tons of QR codes generator out there, however most of them just generate a basic, dull, black and white QR code. Recently I stumbled upon QR Hacker after reading a post by Simply Zesty.So here are some ways you can design your own QR code without the need or knowledge of photoshop or design, because I certainly don’t have design skills in my blood.

1. Put your company logo on a QR code

The easiest way to brand your QR code is to put your brand on it. Its the easiest way with the help of QR Hacker, all you need to do is upload your logo. This gives you a slightly different QR code compared to old and boring black and white code. Moreover it helps you to brand your company.

Here is one I did for Facebook..

(oh this is my favourite)

2. PIXEL INSPIRED QR CODE.

Inspired by BBC’s pixel QR code, here is one you can do with QR hacker too. It will take you more time compared to the one above. You can do this by using the “edit pixel by pixel” feature.

3. “INCEPTION” QR CODE

I love the movie Inception, its one of the best and origial movie that I’ve watched. Inspired by the “dream within a dream” story line, I thought, why not a QR code within a QR code?

You can easily do this by creating a QR code, saving it and then create a second QR code and uploading your saved QR code as a “logo”. Just like what we did for the first image.

This is the end result.

Now you can have personal and creative QR codes on your advertising, business cards, everywhere. You name it. No more boring and sleepy old QR codes.

What do you think? If you’ve tried it let me know.

The above posting is my weekly blog post for iStrategy Conference. I cross promote it here as I feel its beneficial for everyone.

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ADRsocialmedia

I love the business card idea. I hadn’t thought of that before. I think that QR codes are the next wave of marketing and i like your creative ideas to spice them up. Ali
AskAaronLee

@ADRsocialmedia Thanks guys! yeah, i’ve been receiving and I even have a qr code on my business card. Those are boring ones though. Now we can stand out in the marketing world of QR’s. QR is still growing though. The QR readers are pretty amazing now.
2cre8

I love the possibilities of implementing QR codes as part of a marketing tactic! I actually created one for my iPhone/iPad app earlier this year! You can also use a URL shortener to simply the design even further! Thanks for posting these useful tips Aaron! ~Kath
ladyestrogen

I have one on my business cards – it’s fabulously nerdy. I love it!
AskAaronLee

@ladyestrogen Looks like its gonna get more nerdy
AskAaronLee

@2cre8 Great tips Kathy! thanks for sharing.

Ohh what is the app about?
alainadrew @ apps for iphone ipad

This is really amazing!!Now I am more familiar with QR codes, unlike before…Thank you then!!
Pingback: QR Codes in Your School Marketing | Faith-Based, Private, Christian School Marketing
AskAaronLee

@alainadrew @ apps for iphone ipad My pleasure
http://www.henrymaxm.com/ henrymaxm

I once created a custom QR code like the one’s above. I like you’r approach and will retry doing one soon.
AskAaronLee

@henrymaxm Have fun!
2cre8

@AskAaronLee A drawing app for kids called “Creople = creature + people”. I posted the QR Code on my Facebook photo wall. Check it out when you get a chance! Thank again Aaron!
AskAaronLee

@2cre8 Checking it soon!
flipperlim

Thanks for the valuable and enlightening info about QR codes, i received one such name card and didn’t know what QR stood for.

Lianne

<a title=”gettingmrright” href=”http://www.gettingmrright.blogspot.com”>gettingmrright</a>
http://www.thewebsurgery.com/ The_Web_Surgery

Even i was not aware of the QR codes and that i can customize them. i thought what my company is providing is the one that i can use.. Thank you for sharing!
http://www.nipplecharms.com/ Nipple Rings

I would love to know your thoughts if these are a trend or just trendy! Thanks. N
AskAaronLee

@Nipple Rings Well, i think at the moment, its just trendy
AskAaronLee

@The_Web_Surgery My pleasure
AskAaronLee

@flipperlim No problem
Hristo Panayotov

hi;

Check my app: http://burnandbass.com/LettersQR.swf –> creates QR code from images and this http://burnandbass.com/SimpleQRGenerator.swf is flying QR code!
Pingback: How to create your own creative QR Code | Incredibilii
http://www.facebook.com/people/Oussama-El-Jaouhari/100000426677165 Oussama El Jaouhari

Nice tricks to create efficent QR Codes. For the ones who need a free tool to generate custom QR Codes, go here: http://www.unitaglive.com/qrcode