Quick Response (QR) Codes

These funny looking chessboard-like squares are popping up everywhere – magazines, business cards, airports…even on cupcakes!

What is a QR Code you ask? They are really pretty cool. QR Codes are similar to barcodes. They’re two-dimensional codes, that when scanned by a QR reader (usually in the form of an app on your phone) they can display text to the user, add a vCard to the user’s address book, compose a text message, play a video or audio recording, or direct a user to a website.

QR Codes have been around since the mid 1990’s and are common in Japan but have just recently become more popular in the US. This technology is being used in many ways allowing for creative and engaging connections between the physical and digital worlds.

FYI - The act of linking from real world objects is called “hardlink” or “physical world hyperlinks”.

(Rachel took these photos in Denver International Airport. These are great examples of how CLEAR and 1^St Bank are using QR Codes.)

At Driftwood we plan to use QR Codes in a big way. We’ve designed t-shirts, stickers and our business cards to link to our website when scanned with a QR reader.  

(Scan these and go to our website!!)

TapMedia makes a very functional QR Code reader. Download if free on iTunes here.

Scan it with your new QR Reader!

Look for tweets and Facebook updates announcing scavenger hunt contests where by scanning QR Codes in “top-secret” locations you can receive discounts on our products and maybe even a free handbag!